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

Sorry @Jins but it's giving me scourer vibes:

@InMySpareTime scourers!🤣. I wondered what it was reminding me of

@PickAChew that was my thought. The blue isn’t present but it’s similar in tone. I’ve draped them over my mannequin and will see how they look over the next few days. I was thinking about blue for the body with striped short sleeves. I can easily go back to plan 1 and use the stripes as originally intended on jammers.

Oh my! Though that packet is making me crave liquorice allsorts 😂

Jins - did you see that they've made changes to that pattern? Something about the sleeves, I didn't actually look into it as it is way down my to-do list.

I bought it the other week @kittykarate so I’ll have the updated version. I’ll find out what they updated though. I’m looking at sleeve adjustments at the moment

I like that combo!

lol at the scourer thing.

in other news: i got a message today that my sewing machine is fixed. EUR 230 (ouch) but it will be good for another 15 years or so. Picking it up tomorrow 😁

Signs you're too tired to do any sewing: not checking the interfacing is the right way up before you start ironing it on 🙄

Oof at €230 @Brefugee but pretty good over 15 years!

the machine is 5 years old (cost around €550) and i that time, including what I'll pay today it's cost me around €300 in maintenance/servicing so it's not bad amortised over the use it gets.

And this problem is probably caused by me putting the hard cover on it without removing the pedal so it may have knocked the pedal socket out of place and caused the bad connection. So, all in all, cheaper than a new machine, and if I'm not stupid again, won't cost more than about €50 every couple of years for a service. 😁

That reminds me - I ought to get my overlocker serviced. I hope you enjoy being reunited with your machine @Brefugee

Hoping to toile the rashguard today. I bought some Lycra to use as lining but there isn’t the same vertical stretch as the swim Lycra so I’ll use it for a toile. Hopefully I’ve got the adjustments right. I’ve decided against the scourer stripes btw. There’s a seam between front and back sleeves and the stripes will inevitably look weird. It’ll be used up elsewhere.

Glad you have your machine back, @brefugee - I did feel at a loss without mine, last year.

I've never tried to apply interfacing upside down. Never. Not ever. 😏🙃(who am I kidding?)

I can never tell which way is the right way round with interfacing! I stick it to the iron more often than not.

I'm having a frustrating time sewing little padded drawstring bags. I discovered that I really don't like one method, i've found another method and promptly made it too small.

Rash guard toile complete and it’s a little too big. I suspect that’s down to the fabric and it’ll be a different story in swim Lycra. I need to lengthen the front slightly but other than that I think I’m good to go.

Might pop into Abakhan over the weekend to get some fabric to toile the swimsuit

I confess I have significantly added to my fabric stash. We are on holiday in June so I needed new tops and shorts. Nothing fancy, simple v neck tops with either no sleeves or short sleeves.

One top made, I have made it several times before but after watching a YouTube video I finally understood the purpose of understitching on the facings. They do look so much better.

I’m on holiday sewing as well @GnomeDePlume. It’s our first ‘abroad’ holiday for a while and I can’t wait.

I’ve been browsing for bikini top patterns and I’m tempted by This bralette pattern . I’m not very body confident where swimwear is concerned despite being a keen swimmer and I rarely wear ‘fashion’ swimwear but I envisage a fair bit of lounging round the pool and this looks pretty secure in the underarm area.

My holiday focus is entirely on swimwear at the moment 🤣. Although I did spot a beach cover up in a social media ad that I fancy tracking down - it was basically a length of stretch fabric with spaghetti strap loops at each end so you could wrap it round and slip the straps over your shoulders. There must be a pattern somewhere

I've found a tutorial for a beach towel based one.. hellosewing.com/diy-beach-towel-cover-up/

@Jins I am always in awe of your swimwear sewing. I just haven't got the fine sewing skills for that.

We will be doing a mixture of sightseeing and lounging so I need clothes suitable for wandering around castles/markets and also for taking it easy on a campsite.

I’ve found a tutorial on YouTube

I think I may use some of my tropical print jersey.

@GnomeDePlume we spend a lot of our time wandering round old streets and castles but an awful lot of the rest of our time is spent in the water. I used to swim a lot. Trained 4 or 5 times a week etc and had some pretty good speeds. Then my shoulder froze and when it healed the pool I used was shut for refurbishment. Then my other shoulder froze and I put on masses of weight 😥. So although I’m happy to bob around in a hotel pool in poorly fitting bought swimwear I can’t swim properly unless I’m in training/racing suits which I can’t get unless I make them myself. Same problem with wetsuits, bodysuits etc.

Went to the sewing social this morning - not very social as there were only two of us there but still great to have a huge room with lots of natural light and best of all a massive cutting table. Made a good start on my latest Frida blouse so will finish that off this afternoon.

Hi I was up late finishing the little lizard king bristol dress for my daughter as she decided she has to wear it today. It was much easier once I realised that tiny sleeve holes do not have to be forced over the arm! It is a fiddly dress but pretty and I find cotton so easy to work with.

I find as I get more competent though that I am also more critical and not happy with tiny mistakes or flaws that previously wouldn't have bothered me.

Has anyone made the tilly and the buttons coco dress or have an alternative suggestion? I need something that is plus sized, as an easy start to knit, that would be suitable for work.

I am so impressed by the swimwear sewing! I think it is very beyond me but such a good idea, finding a well fitting swimsuit is a nightmare!

I made the Coco dress as one of my first projects- it was not super flattering on me it seemed to fit funny on the hips. Easy enough make though and I still make the top from that pattern.

I’ve made the Coco in both dress and top versions - like @kittykarate I make the top pretty regularly but with adjustments so it’s straighter at the sides and also had to do a narrow shoulder adjustment. I rarely wear the dress version I made but I think that’s more the fabric I chose - it’s quite autumnal and not really my usual colours, so doesn’t suit me. I should try it again in a different fabric.

I thought swimwear was beyond me as well and I haven’t tackled a one piece yet so it still may be 🤣 Swim Lycra is actually really nice to work with. I’m not a fan of sewing with jersey fabrics but I find lycra to be more manageable.

It does take a bit more thought with measurements and adjustments and I’m not quite there yet. I need to look at how a full tummy adjustment will work in comparison with grading for example but it will pay off in the long term.

do you use an overlocker? or do you have a coverstitch machine? I'd love to sew some good sports clothes, but i really think a coverstitch machine would be best for that, and i can't justify the expense.