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

Oh something else to look forward to.

I wouldn't apply either I don't think. I don't see how I could possibly do even the 1st challenge under such time pressures. However, i've been watching the woodworking show which is like bake off/sewing bee but with power tools, and they're very open that they have experts/advisors/helpers on hand and even showed them doing things for contestants and it did make me wonder if there are advisors or similar on the sewing bee that they're less transparent about.

So it turns out I'm actually making a child's coat next - B6921.

I got puss in boots eyes and a wobbly lip from my daughter who reminded me I had promised her a new coat AAGGES ago (last week- pattern arrived yesterday). It's taken me nearly 2 HOURS to cut out.

Its going to be really pretty though, almost tempted to recreate an adult version for myself.

OOoh good luck, a whole coat, that's a challenge. Have you got the fabric?

Still on a sewing hiatus but planning to get back on the machine this week. I've seen lots of D&D Siroccos on Insta and everyone looks great in them. I'm still a jumpsuit novice although I did make an outrageous festival one in glittery stretch jersey last year. I need to try a woven one again - tried the Papercut Mirri but it was enormous on the boobs, too tight on the hips and not long enough in the body. So some more fitting to do there!

I've just had a bobbins delivery from pound a metre / dream fabric- instead of 5m of cotton, 6m of Jersey, threads etc I got 3m of lining and some coronation bunting.

What on earth?? I would be really annoyed about that.

Sew, you got someone else's order?

It definitely seems like someone elses order, because the contents are so dissimilar. It's a pain though - it's never someone else's order chock full of lovely things. Last time this happened, they sent me a label so I could send the order onto the right person.... but the other person did not send on my stuff (because it was full of useful things!) so it ended up as a refund.

Oooh I couldn't cope with that. I got slightly annoyed that Minerva had sent me 4m in 2 x 2m without checking it was OK first (they are usually on the ball with that kind of thing).

I would not be happy with the wrong order entirely, on more than one occasion!

Out of interest where are people buying from generally at the moment? I have two local sewing shops, one which is full of all the designer fabric ranges and one which is a bit more 'pile em high' I go to them for payday/ cheer me up shopping and then I use minerva, Dalston Mills and textile express for pretty much everything else.

@pastabest my entire excessive stash is from Abakhan. I like the randomness of it, like a jumble sale of fabric. I keep enough in that I always have the fabric I need.

@InMySpareTime Abakhan was one of my favourite shops when I lived in Manchester. I used to love those evenings they had at Christmas where they were open late & there were mince pies. My favourite Birmingham shops are Barry's Fabrics and Fancy Silk store.

What I haven't found here is a decent haberdashery shop. The Rag Market used to be excellent, but since Covid it's not really recovered.

I've just had fabric delivered from Love Crafts, (they had a sale) for the Retreat I'm going to next week. Half the fabric I've decided on but can't decide on lining! Keep seesawing between a lovely contrast or completely wacky! Making a bag.

A sewing retreat?! [Swoons]

PoundAMetre sent me a replacement parcel with all the right stuff in - so that's cool. Don't know what I'm meant to do with the other stuff, I guess keep it to one side and see if they email me a label.

Hello all - I have nearly finished my very first make - a Merchant and Mills Factory dress - and of course am looking to what’s next so was wondering if anyone can recommend a pattern please?

I am looking for a really summery dress to wear in Europe in height of summer and Florida / Mexico. I am short though and big ish - 16/18 so it can’t be too tent like. I do need to wear a bra with it and want to make it in a light drape-y cotton that I can waft around feeling cool in. I don’t like high necks. Obviously I am very new to dressmaking so it needs to be easy! No buttons or zips!

Any suggestions most welcome!

I would try the Skye sundress from Tilly and The Buttons @Chewbecca . Nice thick straps for bra coverage and no buttons or zips. TATB patterns are really good for beginners and very clear about where to lengthen/shorten etc

Excellent- that is one that is already on my shortlist! My only concern is it might be very unflattering with the gathers under boobs.

So I'm not a great wearer of sun dresses, but I've liked the look of the Tilly and the Buttons Skye sundress (but obviously never made it)

Another option that is a bit more fitted would be the Helen's closet Reynolds dress.

The Helens closet patterns tend to be drafted to be more forgiving towards an apple shape I've found.

Or perhaps a Sew House Seven Sauvie Sundress - i've never made one but they look 'wafty'.

If you decide on the TatB Skye - they currently have some seconds of that pattern in their clearance shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/products/seconds-sewing-pattern-envelope-1-10?variant=39265696219241&fbclid=IwAR1e_wRAbKLlZWPEFe7hpNtOPNp2T6yD885FfmcucRS7U1GMNEZyxLCfPCA

Oooh, I really love the Sauvie in style 2. Can’t find as many reviews as for TATB though. I helped my friend with her TATB pattern in our sewing class and was v impressed with the pattern and clear instructions.

Am I right in thinking Helen’s closet is all ‘print your own’? Sounds hard?

One last thing - is linen harder to sew than cotton?

I haven't got any specific suggestions for patterns, but if you're worried about fastenings, I'd suggest looking at how to sew button holes by hand. I can't work out how to get them right using my machine, but can happily sit in front of the TV hand sewing them. You effectively tie lots of little knots along the button hole edge. www.thesprucecrafts.com/buttonhole-stitch-tutorial-photos-and-instructions-1105910

It will open up loads more patterns to you.

@Chewbecca I can’t recommend specific patterns as I’m not really a sundress wearer (I am hoping to make the Helen’s Closet orchard though so maybe one day I’ll be a sundress wearer), but for PDF patterns if you don’t fancy printing at home then you can use a printing company. I’ve used clcprints.com several times and been really happy with the speed and quality.

I’ve found linen fine to sew, but looser weaves can fray really fast and stretch out so handle your pieces carefully!

@Chewbecca why not have a look at Waves & Wild’s kinjarlin dress or. Lengthen Rebecca Page’s Olivia top.

Linen is absolutely fab to sew with.

I use a lot of ramie as well which is similar but often a little cheaper and I think often a bit more 'eco friendly' too. It's made of nettles or something.