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

My order from cut price fabrics has arrived. The neoprene is ok, not very stretchy but ok. The thermal jersey feels very soft, think DS1 will love it.

The cashmere blend suiting though…. It feels amazing. Along the selvedge it says cashmere and wool blend. It’s the best random £12 I’ve ever spent and I’m heading back to check the other colours out

https://cutpricefabrics.com/search?q=Cashmere+suiting&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

I've also just got my order from cutprice fabrics - it all seems pretty decent, I got some tshirt cotton with cats in teacups, the thermal jersey and some really mad looking tie dye lycra (probably not squat proof, so likely to become a sports layer). Seems a bit mad that it is the same company as pound a metre, but has cheaper shipping!

No sign of the promised free gift though 😥

I got my Minerva order today as well and love the fabric. I just need to print and stick the pdf pattern first! A job for between Christmas & New Year!

My final sewing subscription box this month, it's a bit of a disappointing choice - 2 Fibre Mood woven patterns, both of which have very 'fibre mood sleeves'. A shirt dress or a blouse with huge sleeves. Both with buttonholes! Ah well, can't win them all and I guess it going out with a whimper means I'll miss it less.

I did like it for getting me to try lots of different pattern companies, and also to learn which ones are a bit hitty-missy for fit and design (TatB, Wardrobe by me) and which are worth the indie pattern price uplift (Friday Pattern Company, Closet Core).

Now I'll just have to rely on you guys for pattern inspo!

I've made the FM Tilly, which I love - was that one of them? If I make it again I won't bother with the pointy sleeves though, nor the continuous placket which is my nemesis.

Hi everyone, I haven't been here for ages. I'm off clothing at the moment, mostly for shoulder fit reasons. I need to really concentrate and work out how to properly alter all patterns for my rounded shoulders, but I just can't be arsed.

I have gone back to quilting and have been making a wall hanging for my Mum, possibly for next Christmas or even the Christmas after. This is the pattern, https://legitkits.com/products/sail-away-pattern-only-1 It's doing my head in as I'm not all that keen on foundation paper piecing but it'll be fabulous once it's done (I hope).

To give myself a break from the wall hanging I made a little bowl. I used Daisy and Grace quilt as you go templates and this stuff https://www.empressmills.co.uk/in-r-form-wadding-single for the wadding. It's for making bags usually and is nice and stiff to make things stand up and not flop over but it's still really easy to stitch on a sewing machine. I think it came out very cute and might make a few more for little present since it's very quick to make.

The choices were https://www.fibremood.com/en/patterns/449-filippa-shirt-dress and https://www.fibremood.com/en/patterns/881-lulu-blouse I opted for the Filippa as it looked like I could cheat away some of the buttons by sewing down the button flap and pulling it over my head, and I could make several different lengths. And worst case if I don't make it, a decent length of material to join stash mountain.

I quite like the Filippa shirt dress but the Lulu isn't my thing, I'd be a bit meh about that.

I'm pondering making some pyjamas with my stash mountain. I've got the Assembly Line pyjamas printed and could do with a new set as I've not bought any in years and mine are all somewhat erm "lived in".

@Jins consider yourself an influencer - I’ve made an order from cut price fabrics. I’ve got some jersey, some of the khaki cashmere suiting (hoping it’s not itchy as I can’t normally stand wool) and some cotton lawn as I fancy some nice PJs.

I do love me a shirt dress. Obviously we're staring down the barrel of Christmas now so I won't get a chance to sew this week, but I have a lovely stretch check fabric that I'm keen to make a winter dress out of. Hopefully after xmas I'll do the Ellie and Mac crossover dress, I did an ugly toile a while ago but have forgotten everything about it since.

have not done much sewing laely, but will be making 5 stocikings between now and the main event.

Sorry @SBAM. (Not sorry really)

I bought the khaki suiting. It’s not what I’d call khaki but I do like it. More of a greeny grey.

I might nip back and check out the cotton lawn

@jins Green/grey is even better than proper khaki. I fancy some nice trousers for work.

The lawn I picked was this one.

@Brefugee good luck with the stockings. I’ve made two present sacks because my lovingly hand embroidered stockings from 3 years ago will not fit this years stocking fillers in (entirely my own fault for buying stocking fillers that don’t fit in the stockings 🤦🏻‍♀️)

Oh Heavens! DD2 starts a new school tomorrow. This afternoon I made her a new skirt for school, tailored to her shape and tastes! BUT THEN I managed to shorten her blazer sleeves by 7cm, can’t tell you how long it took but it was more than several hours! Now the blazer is back hanging up, you can’t tell it’s been altered. Very proud of myself!!

A lot of work in shortening a blazer, @Daffyyellow !

The sleeves on that lulu blouse are of full on fibre mood comedy proportions. 🎪

I do like a statement sleeve but the Lulu blouse is too much even for me. I think I need to have a closer look at Fibre mood.

I’ve had to put my suiting and some navy viscose linen mix firmly into the stash. There’s no way I can prewash at the moment as I can’t dry 3m lengths inside easily and the weather is just pants 😥. I need to put our bedroom back together in any case as DH decided we needed more insulation and can’t work around furniture it seems. I need to get enough space on the landing for the loft ladder so DS1 can put the Xmas decs up.

DH has a bit of history for winter home improvement projects and they always seem to run behind plan. One year he was fitting the kitchen so I ended up cooking Xmas dinner in my new range cooker balanced on a pallet. 🤣 He does a fab job and I can’t complain too much as I have history of getting engrossed in projects myself 😬

After the disappointment of my last sewing subscription box, I've spent a ridiculous amount of money (£40) on 2 yards of black 'Thermo' from funkifabrics. It's just a great fabric to work with, and you know what, I deserve it. It'll be a mixture of things (leggings, a balaclava for cross country skiing).

Christmas Sewing Bee is on tonight!

I have just discovered a fab fabric shop in my nearest big town. Has apparently been there 2 years but they've just added a factory outlet part and now have a massive banner outside so I finally noticed.

Very happy about that

That's one of the best sorts of surprises, @Brefugee

Have made 5 stockings and assorted gift bags. Wine is required

Very well done @Brefugee!

I've decided to create a mad panic to finish a reading nook that DH built and I'm doing the cushion for. I piped half of it yesterday, MELTED the black back panel, I was dutifully pressing seams but turns out it's more plastic than fabric. I hope to finish it today.

Excellent work @Brefugee ! And that fabric sounds like a nightmare, @NutellaEllaElla 😬

I haven’t done any sewing this week because a seemingly simple bit of DIY has turned into a whole host of issues. So I’m saving it until I can give it my undivided attention after Christmas.

Haven’t sewn for a bit but just shortened the pjs I made for DS…. Had forgotten how calming it is … will resume normal service in the new year. I want to learn how to set in sleeves and do button holes.