Stitch and bitch thread #8. It’s all starting to unravel

[NutellaEllaElla]

Welcome back and welcome for the first time to any newbies. As we go back into autumn/winter mode, sewing days are more and more appealing as the wind gales outside. I enjoyed looking back over the last thread, there were so many beautiful patterns (so little time), such beautiful makes, that thread is an absolute goldmine for inspiration. Also such wisdom from you lovely lot! Thank you. I couldn't do it without you actually as no one around me sews and you have imparted such great advice, hints and tips.

@PickAChew
@kittykarate
@TragicMuse
@SBAM
@pastabest
@Jins
@Blackamericanonosugar
@CrimsonAlligator
@SleepingisanArt
@dubyalass
@Brefugee
@InMySpareTime
@Rosenspants
@rivercobbler
@Karatema
@bookbook
@Sewingdufus
@FletchingStraight
@SideWonder
@CarolynKnappShappy
@Chewbecca
@eldorado02
@PrincessofWellies
@123ZYX
@Storynanny1
@Tinuviel
@Wildernesstips
@Dellabob123
@florentini
@longpathtohappiness
@twobluechickens

Well you can't do it on another person at all, unless they don't mind pins sticking in them! You can buy cheap used mannequins and pad them to the correct size.

I’m cautiously optimistic that my inconsistent buttonhole issue has been solved.

I’ve been disappointed with my one step buttonholes. Test ones have always been perfect but at least one of the real ones has decided to stop halfway down and there’s been no fixing it. So I’ve been working on it today to see where the problem may be and it might be so simple that I’ll kick myself forever more.

Behind my machine is a spool holder for when I’m using cones. I’ve spotted that fabric can run up against it and bunch up a bit. Not an issue for a short presser foot but when the long buttonhole presser foot touches bunched up fabric the back tips up and it immediately starts to change direction. So I moved the spool holder….

Ha, yes I hadn't thought about the mild peril of being inadvertently pin-stabbed 😁

I do have a mannequin so at some point when I have some free time I'll try getting my measurements sorted and add padding. It had bigger boobs than me when I bought it but an excess of cake over the intervening years means I've probably moved ahead.

Looks like a very useful course, @NutellaEllaElla . My issue with my mannequin is that her bum seems to stick out such a long way that even garments with a lot of ease around the hip don't really fit. When I was a bit larger and and her padded out, she looked ridiculous.

@jins buttonhole attachments are so bloody fickle. The one on my pfaff has been known to malfunction for no reason whatsoever. I might pull my janome out to do the ones on my blouse. Though they have their problems, too.

I’ve just found another cheap fabric online store and have just increased my stash with 3m thermal jersey, 3m of cashmere blend suiting and 3m neoprene. Sounds random but DS1 will appreciate some thermal T shirts, I can improve my trouser collection and DH and I both need stuff for kayaking and paddleboarding so I’m not going to tell myself off too much

ooh Jins! Be an enabler, I need some thermal jersey!

@kittykarate my pleasure 🤣

https://cutpricefabrics.com/products/3-metres-viscose-blend-thermal-jersey-55-wide-white?_pos=1&_psq=Therm&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Bam! And she's shopped!

Ooh, a shop I’ve not come across before. I’m off for a browse!

Nooo! No more fabric shops!

<goes for a browse>

Well my order has been dispatched. From dream fabrics which is where poundametre orders come from. So it’s not really a new fabric shop but there was definitely different stock

All your talk of fabric buying has made me indulge in a couple of jersey fabrics from Minerva. Then I started looking at the lovely fabric at Lamazi Fabrics - not used them before but I may have an indulgent new year splurge.

Lamazi have some lovely fabrics. I've only bought in the sale from there. You've just reminded me that I've got 3m of a lovely patterned jersey from there that needs a pattern. Any jersey jumpsuit recommendations?

https://shop.deer-and-doe.fr/en/sewing-patterns/122-sirocco-jumpsuit-pdf.html @twobluechickens

It's quite heavily blogged about so you can get a good idea of whether the pattern might suit.

Also https://www.namedclothing.com/products/kielo-wrap-dress

Thank you @PickAChew , the Kielo dress is what I originally bought the fabric for! But I've not dived in because I am pear shaped and concerned that the wrap bit might accentuate my already rather wide hips. I really like the Sirocco but don't think I suit a v-neck - maybe I should just give it a try.

I've made this one https://closetcorepatterns.com/products/sallie-jumpsuit-pattern-maxi-dress-sewing-pattern?variant=3581440387 again its a V front and back (so you can step in and out, no real fastenings involved). Easy sew, very comfy.

I dug my sewing machine manual out yesterday to check oiling points (no mention of oiling at all) and discovered it will do smocking. I love smocking! Just had to try it and it does indeed do smocking. I just need a pattern to use it now.

Finished my fleece lounge wear ! Hoodie from an Ellie and Mac pattern, trousers from a made by Rae. Many pockets!

Still in the 'in progress pile' is my Pona jacket and a ski hood.

Thanks @kittykarate , I could adapt the neckline on that one. Your lounge wear looks so cosy and comfy!

So the draping course... It was good but I am too much of a beginner for it really, i needed to know more about pattern cutting than I do so I really need to do that first. And I may. I did learn a lot though and designed a corset and skirt.

Wow that looks spectacular @NutellaEllaElla !

Finished off my ski hood.

That’s fantastic @NutellaEllaElla

Loving the ski hood @kittykarate

Ive just spent a happy half hour going through my manual. I now know what the scallop stitch is for, that I can raise the needle with a brief press of the foot pedal and that the tension can be adjusted using + and - buttons which I haven’t located yet. There’s also a twin needle button but it worked well enough without using it. Still no mention of oiling though

Is this a modern machine,@jins@jins?A lot of them don't need oiling as the key points have a sort of reservoir that gets replaced at service time. My mechanical bernina overlocker has oiling points but nowhere near as many as the vintage bernina record 830 that I have! (reminds me that I must find an excuse to tinker with it as it's been a bit neglected since I bought the Pfaff. I bought her hoping she'd have more muscle but she's a bit arthritic, like me)

That would explain it @PickAChew. It’s a modern computerised one. I’ve given it a good clean anyway but there was remarkably little dust. There’s a bottle of oil in the accessory bag so I assumed I’d need to oil it at some point.

I’ve cleaned and oiled the overlocker as well so I’m ready to roll with the next project.