Stitch and bitch thread #6. What a yoke!

[NutellaEllaElla]

The other thread is so painfully slow so lets hope a shiny new one will run a smoothly as a well behaved sewing machine. Pin your places here my lovely stitchers

I saw those on Insta, I think they’re really cute. I like the contrast denim version.

Sorry just read that back and realised it sounds like I was suggesting they wouldn't look fashionable.

What I was meaning was that I'm finding the current sewing fashions aren't really suiting me at the moment - lots of loose fittint unstructured items/cropped items etc

I find the same with the loose fitting patterns that seem to be popular. I'm far too short and pear shaped.

It seems to be a very popular shape for the zero waste patterns - I assume because shaping means cutting awkward shapes that can't be used elsewhere. Im not sure I can see the benefit of a zero waste pattern, where the fabric is effectively wasted by being extra in the clothes.

I do try to use up all my scraps, though. I've just taken a toile apart to use for another toile. The original toile was made from an old duvet cover. When pieces are too small, they go into a box to be used for paper piecing (eventually - currently a pile of hexagons!)

Oh me too, I would look like Demis Roussos and Beatrix Potter’s lovechild in some of the styles that are currently popular among the home sewing crowd on Insta.

I prefer a more fitted look in general, or one element fitted anyway.

Which view are you planning to make @bozzabollix ? View A isn’t really my style either, but I’m pretty unfashionable so that doesn’t mean anything! I can see view B working for me. Would be interested in seeing what you end up making.

Speaking of patterns, has anyone here made the Deer & Doe Melilot shirt, or any of the other Deer & Doe patterns? I’m a little bit sceptical of a single pattern covering such a wide size range 🤔

I have their plantain tee pattern but haven’t made it yet, that might be a job for tomorrow to ease me back into sewing.

I've made a few DD patterns but not the Melilot. IIRC their block is drafted for a sewing D cup which is personally great for me and may explain the sizing range.

Hi all. I’m going to make this in scuba. I won’t need interfacing, will I?

I made a www.fibremood.com/en/patterns/828-ruby-dress . Nice easy to follow pattern, but on plus size and 5ft tall it looks really square. Nice 'house' dress, that if I was taller would probably look more quirky librarian.

@CrimsonAlligator I’ve only made the plantain tee, and I found the sizing quite generous. I fell between 2 sizes, I made both and the smaller one is the better fit. Still a bit wide on the shoulder and low at the scoop for me though so I’ll have another go at some point as I like the general shape and fit of it.

@CalamityClam I wouldn’t bother, it’ll only bubble if it fuses unevenly and scuba should have enough body without it.

@kittykarate the sleeves look quite dramatic! Would you feel happier in it if it was jumper or tunic length instead of a dress?

Im almost finished with a baby quilt for my new niece, just the binding to go. Better hurry up though as I’m visiting in a couple of days!

@bozzabollix i hadn’t heard of them before, they look interesting, I like the yoke shaping. I don’t think I’ve seen any made up on Instagram.
Wider leg shapes seem to be back in, both in shops and sewing. I like the look of the closet core Mitchell trousers too, like the Cosecha they’re a bit more complex than elasticated waists which do me no favours.

I’ve still not even finished cutting the paper pattern out for my lander pants though so no new patterns for me!

I'm not sure whether I cut it to a tunic length, or leave as is, because it could be quite comfy for slobbing around in.

There is so much activity here, I am very impressed.

Sewing has been a bit limited here. However DD is visiting so we have been fitting the toile dress I made for her. Now I need to move the alterations to the pattern and also sew it up (currently pinned).

We went a bit mad on the Dalston Mills website and ordered fabric for 5 dresses for me to make for her! In our defence she is looking to start work soon so this will give her a working wardrobe.

@NutellaEllaElla how have you found the binding foot? I was given one for Christmas but haven't had need to use it yet.

I'm scared and haven't used it yet @GnomeDePlume . My main problem is that I don't understand how stretching the band to fit works as the instruction videos I've seen don't pin and don't stretch at all. They seem to use wovens and the bands appear to be the same size or longer than the opening. So confusing.

I very rarely use bias binding (pretty much only for my Zadies) as I'm not a fan but I suspect the secret to those videos is they just have a really long piece of binding and use what is needed rather than it being measured to fit.

I've had a subscription to simply sewing magazine for the last 12 months which I cancelled and wasn't sure if I was getting this month's or not. Anyway it turned up this morning with two patterns I might actually use for once!

That's what it seems like to be @pastabest but I thought that the binding is supposed to be smaller as it makes it hold the shape better?

Binding on stretch materials is weird. I have only ever used the Jalie method jalie.com/blogs/jalie-sewing-tutorials/how-to-sew-a-knit-binding which uses a strip of fabric slightly shorter than the thing you're binding. Since my straight stitching always goes off piste, I usually don't top-stitch but zig zag.

I have a bias binding foot that I haven’t used yet so this is interesting. I rarely sew stretch fabrics though.

@pastabest I’ve cancelled my subscriptions as well, mostly due to not liking the patterns much. Good to hear there’s some decent ones this month.

Only repairs for me recently but I can feel my sewjo return. I’ve had a very expensive month with a new boiler and a new washing machine arriving next week due to catastrophic failures of the existing ones. I’ll have to let the pain of that expense subside before I start planning some sewing

No advice Nutella but I had a nightmare trying to work with a bound neck with stretchy jersey fabric. I did use jersey interfacing which I suppose helped a bit but it was far from my finest make. Good luck!

I’ve been given the job of sorting through MILs sewing stuff ready for her move into sheltered accommodation

This bag sparked a bit of excitement. Sadly the reality wasn’t as good

Ah did she just keep the bag as a souvenir? Sort of thing I would do.

So I've got a whole day to sew today and I need to put my big girl pants on and face the difficult bits I've been having a tantrum about. That's sewing in bust cups on one toile and perfecting a neck band on another. Posting here for accountability.

To be fair there was some liberty fabric in the bag but not enough to do anything with. There might be enough for facings or pockets.

I did find some nice wool blend pinstripe suiting which will make great trousers and some tapestry style upholstery fabric which I’ll save to cover my dining chairs. I’m going to make her a top or two out of some of it as well

Really slow progress today. Lots of unpicking, tutting and eye rolling. Still, i've not given up.

Sewing is hard

Chopped down the dress, it's still a lot (those sleeves!) but I might actually wear it.