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

I've got my next dressmaking class starting in a couple of weeks - supported sewing I guess so am looking forward to being back on it soon and choosing fabric / pattern to make.
I completed the Pona jacket in my last course but I'm afraid I have barely worn it! Maybe when the weather improves. I don't think I am very good at selecting patterns yet! I like the making process more than the end result I think. I tend to return about 90% of clothes I buy so I guess it is to be expected.

I am loving some M&M checked linen / cotton but it is v £££ and given the amount of wear I have had from my me-mades, probably not a great choice.

This is the fabric I am drooling over.

@NutellaEllaElla could you add appliqué to the back and maybe some pockets for practicality?
Perhaps some elastic in a channel to cinch it in at the waist for definition?

I have had a lovely load of fabric delivered - a mix of lightweight cotton prints and plains - we are on holiday at the end of June and I could do with having new shorts and tops. Dalston Mills were discounting some lines so it seemed rude not to!

No sewing this weekend though as DD is visiting so my sewing room has reverted to guest room.

Can't complain, it is lovely having her and her husband here but if if I were to win the lottery a permanent sewing room would be high on my list of 'must haves'.

@Chewbecca I know exactly what you mean - I started off making loads of things that just didn't suit me, mostly because they were trendy patterns that everyone was making and I liked how they looked on others.

I have now accepted that I should make things that I will actually wear, and work on getting the fit right.

I also love the M&M linens but again, I'm not sure if they would suit me. I'm loathe to spend £££ without seeing how they look against my skin. Also need to think about the best pattern for them.

That is lovely, @Chewbecca but ys it s expensive and even more so when you buy enough to pattern match. Despite not being inspired much by current online fabric offerings, I was drooling over some of the M&M cottons, last night. I have these jeans to finish and a couple of warm tops cut out and ready to go, too, then a load of stuff from when I ran out of summer, last year...

Sewing will have to take a break for a while sadly as I’ve had a bit of a problem with a bleed at the back of my right eye and have been in and out of the eye clinic for the last two days. So, so grateful for the NHS and how smoothly it’s worked. Within an hour of ringing 111 I’d been triaged and seen in eye clinic. The woman next to me in a&e was very disgruntled as she was entering her 4th hour but even I could tell that needing a repeat prescription wasn’t an emergency.

So it’s just a waiting game for my vision to clear. I keep brushing imaginary flies off things 🤣

I’ve done my measurements for wave rider so I’m going to try to make sense of them today and decide what adjustments to make. My trunk length is nearly 15cm longer than the design length 😱. No wonder bought one pieces rarely fit

Oh no @Jins I hope it's nothing serious. I have to say, when me or my family have really needed it, the NHS has been amazing.

This is my beach cover up, full length and hugely baggy, more suitable for a nunnery! It does have a waist tie but it needs to be shorter and something else to be wearable. As I was falling asleep last night I was wondering if I could open the front like a cardigan but I'm not sure how to do that exactly. I've made a cardigan before but not destroyed a sort of garment for it. Think it's too busy for applique.

That is too busy for appliqué.
How about taking the hem up so it's still long at the front and back but shorter at the sides, then using the offcuts for pockets.
Also, you could add small coloured beads to the leopards' eyes for interest.
If you have time on your hands you could use the existing pattern as a guide to embroider some of the elements of the design.

@NutellaEllaElla when I was converting my mum’s over the head nighties to button ones I did something similar.

I shortened them and used the offcuts to make two double sided interfaced bands which ended up slightly longer than the shortened garment. Then I cut straight up the middle and overlocked the edges. With a bit of juggling I was able to replicate the V neck. Then I treated the bands as if I was attaching a waistband, press up the seam allowance on the non interfaced side, stitch the open edge of the front to the interfaced side then fold over and topstitch down.

In your case I’d replace the tie belt with elastic and stitch the ends of the elastic into the bands. You can make keepers for the tie belt afterwards.

Or you could bind the edges with a contrast binding then carry on round the neck edge. But definitely elastic in the waist channel

this is so true. It's the same as buying clothes: find a style you know suits you, and then go for it. And of course, if you sew yourself you don't have to search and search for things that are "out of fashion". Find your own style and bob's your uncle!

also sorry to hear about your eye problems, @Jins - i hope it's resolved soon.

I've been on holiday this past week, but no call from my sewing machine repair chap, so i won't be doing any sewing any time soon. But i could prepare some things ready to go. And i do have an overlocker.

Cheers for the messages about the eye. Currently it’s not serious but it has potential for it so if I get another bleed I’m to get in for lasering asap. I’m not going to lie - I’m terrified but the specialists know what they are doing and aren’t worried so I’m holding that thought

Absolute sympathy for the eye problem, @Jins and I hope the prognosis doesn't involve monthly eye jabs.

I'm finally back to having tolerable vision in my bad eye and my brain has stopped ignoring it so the world has brightened up a little. Hopefully this means I can get back to making stuff that isn't bright colours because my wardrobe is getting a bit too much of a children's tv presenter vibe for me.

Thanks @PickAChew - I know you’ve been through the mill so it’s good to hear of improvement.

This “chunky” “non-metal” zip just arrived. Some weird plastic that’s magnetic and the zip is no chunkier than any other. Strongly worded email fired off

@NutellaEllaElla I like InMySpareTime's suggestions for beads for the leopard eyes.

How about adding a colour tassel or bead stop to the ends of the ties or some ricrac or pompom trim? It might look baggy, but I bet it is quite practical.

@Jins hope you feel better soon.

I'm trying to have a bit of a sewing destash and trying my luck on ebay starting with some quilting fabric- really not sure it's worth it but I can't bear to bin fabric either.

Yes I like the beading detail idea too. Yes a contrasting colour tassel would be a nice accent too.

That's a rubbish 'chunky' zip!

I had a browse in Abakhan's in Manchester on Saturday as it was the end of their sale. I think all the good bargains had gone (they had some very cheap cross stitch kits, but I can't take on another hobby). Despite saying I wasn't buying more fabric... I bought more fabric. Sigh. I need to get a grip.

Same here @kittykarate. I went in for elastic, just elastic. Came out with some swim Lycra you can see from space. I’m clearly beyond help.

Still no sewing but the horde of black flies has morphed into wisps of smoke so I’m seeing slightly better. I’m pondering adjustments now. I think I’m going to do my normal size with a fat gut big belly adjustment which will take up some of the trunk length issues. I’m definitely doing the rash guard first to test adjustments which should save me wasting fabric.

Lovely to see/hear about all these projects going on.

Someone please save me from myself. I only need to order black and grey jersey for a world book day outfit for DC1 and do not also need printed jersey to make 6 matching tops for my kids and their cousins and some sports fabric to make a swimsuit for me just because it sounds like a fun challenge. And maybe some more cute prints for baby clothes for my nieces even though I have no time.

At the end of last year, I made a list of all the fabric I’d bought vs the fabric I’d actually used. It was sobering. So much so, that I haven’t bought anything more since then I don’t even consider myself much of a fabric hoarder, but it really adds up fast.

I’m a fabric hoarder although I’m generally working out of my stash nowadays. I’ve definitely cut down but I still tend to add things I don’t really need to my orders because they are a bargain. I regularly go through my stash and I have sold or otherwise disposed of 90% of my stretch fabric horde because I don’t really like sewing stretch fabrics and I don’t really like wearing clothes made with them.

Being landed with my mum’s and my MIL’s stashes didn’t help but I’ve managed to move most of that on to a neighbour who runs a quilting group.

I’ve also decimated my paper pattern collection, mostly free with magazines. I’ve sold or donated all the stretch patterns and anything with a zip or very fitted. Life’s too short to make all the adjustments I’d need to a simplicity pattern.

How are your eyes, @Jins ? I must admit to not being a hoarder by nature and am trying to buy fabric specifically for a project. The exception to this is when I’ve been at a stitch show when I’ve been like a child in a sweetie shop 😳.
Whoever mentioned the Paper Theory Miller trousers Thank you! … I’m going to have a go at them next. Managed to get the paper pattern online. I’ve ordered a linen cotton mix from Dalston Mills in navy.

https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/jerrett-yarn-dyed-irish-linen-and-cotton-blend.html?query=Jarrett%20yarn%20died%20navy

No significant change @Rosenspants. They said it would be a while before the blood dissipates and surgery may be needed. I’m slowly learning to ignore the various white flashes and floating cobwebs and my distance vision is ok. I find close work very tiring though and threading a needle?….No chance!