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

@Brefugee for swimwear I use my sewing machine stretch stitches and then tidy up with the overlocker. I tend to use the triple stretch stitches but realistically a zig zag would probably be enough.

I’d love a coverstitch machine but I don’t really sew enough stretch to justify it. It’s a lot of money to use as a hemmer

Coverstitch machines are pretty fickle, too and not the most cooperative of beasts. I'd happily pay ££££ for a regular machine because they are a game changer when it comes to sewing experience and finish and would get a lot of use but can't mentally justify the cost or space taken up by a mid range coverstitch that might still refuse to do the occasional job I've asked of it.

That's pretty much my understanding and attitude to a coverstitch machine. A friend of mine bought one second hand and makes loads of sweatshirts for the whole family now 😂i think if my DCs were still young it may be a better investment.

I'm going to look into doing more in stretch, i have an overlocker so t-shirt necks should be ok.

I only use my overlocker for finishing high fray fabrics.

Another successful sewing weekend with another top finished and the third well on the way. I'm trying to get the holiday sewing finished before the allotment season properly starts.

That’s such a useful top pattern. I love the fabrics @GnomeDePlume

@Brefugee I forgot to mention that I use a twin needle on jersey and stretch quite often. It takes a bit of fiddling to get the tension right and I still end up with tunnelling sometimes but it does look the part

That top is right up my alley gnome, what's the pattern?

Still grappling with rashguard pattern adjustments. I’ve taken a long hard look at the toile and I think I need to go down a size but do a full bust, full belly, broad shoulder and wide bicep adjustment or go up a size and fiddle the upper bust area somehow.

Raglan sleeves can be such a pain if they don’t fit right first time

The lazy approach and the one I intend going for is to do the sleeveless version and put a front zip in which would give me space to reduce upper bust width. I’ll make it in scuba for sea swimming warmth and make it a bit longer.

Thank you, it's Simplicity 1446. I'm super plus sized so I upped it by a couple of sizes more. It's an easy make with either no or short sleeves (I've made both).

@Jins Thank you - Dalston Mills. They have a lovely range of batik fabrics.

Wearable toile rashguard in scuba with swim Lycra arms complete and came out well enough to use so I’ll move on to swim bottoms now. I need to remember to alter the neckband slightly next time.

I went down a size then graded out at full bust and straightened the sides. It fits well enough but when I make the swimsuit I need to drop down another size to get enough compression.

Yes - it does look like a T shirt in pics but it won’t perform like one 🤣

@Jins that is very impressive!

Thank you @GnomeDePlume. It’s a really simple pattern - it’s the fitting adjustments that have taken the time.

On the plus side - I’ve learned an awful lot about different ways to achieve the same thing and the importance of fitting to upper bust measurement rather than full

@Jins that looks great I am impressed by the skill on this thread. I haven't had much time but spent an hour last night figuring out bias binding managed to do the neckline of my yoke and it is wonky as hell on the back but pretty neat on the front. Decided to just keep going rather than unpick it all as I have already accepted this will be a learning things top rather than a wearing things top.
Order some pretty but cheap quilting cotton squares on amazon and hoping to try some quilted bags etc as easier projects to get the satisfaction of something finished and usable while I work on clothes.

Those are fab tops, @GnomeDePlume and I particularly love the darker of the two fabrics.

Well done for persevering with the rashguard, @jins - there is such a lot of fitting to be done in all in one things.

No fitting for me, currently. I'm working on a waxed canvas tote bag. It's pushing my Pfaff to its limits far more than denim did. I'm also planning a bit of patchwork, which is a huge deviation from my normal sewing habits. I have the Elizabeth Hartman Fancy Fox pattern because how can you resist a fox in specs?

Of course, I have a couple of blouses ready to cut out in case I come out in a cold sweat because I'm out of my comfort zone!

I made a couple of tops in lurex stuff - the first was a Seasons of East Springtime in London - this is all fine, but not very interesting.

The second I made was using the Jalie Elle pattern - the pattern is an ok sew, but what was I thinking when I bought it? It's fairly obvious when you look at it that if you wear it knot to the front, it's going to make it look like your belly is peeping out from behind some curtains. Wear it with the knot to the back, and your butt looks like it cannot be contained by fabric! If you make it in spangly black/gold fabric then you really show off your bumps. One for people who are straight up and down!

I see TatB have a new pattern launch, a pair of wide leg trousers. Nothing revolutionary but thank god they've taken on board the feedback about getting the fit on their pattern models correct!

I still have a Pona jacket in my 'cut but not made' pile. I need to get my arse in gear as I wanted it ready for when the weather warmed up.

@PickAChew I love those Elizabeth Hartmann patterns. I have made the Lloyd & Lola llama one previously.

Rash vest looks amazing @Jins

@PickAChew i’ve made the awesome ocean by Elizabeth Hartman - so much fun and despite my never having made a quilt before it turned out really well. I’m definitely tempted by some of her other patterns but I’ve got so much on my garment sewing list I don’t think I can really commit to it - I’d love to make an enormous one and send it off to be long-arm quilted.

I'm making cushion covers to start with then, if I'm not sick of flying geese, already, by then, I'll be making a lap quilt, though wider than long. I've gathered loads of fabrics but just need something for the background because the grey I chose was too pale. I even found a sewalong video and it does look like a fun diversion.

I had to order some imperial rulers, mind, as all my acrylic ones are metric!

I didn't think the fit was that great on the plus size TATB model, there was something weird going on around her bum. Or perhaps I've just been watching too many Inside The Hem videos and have become attuned to hungry bum syndrome.

In other news I have just set the sleeves in my latest Frida blouse (in viscose this time) and I didn't have a single pucker! I pinned them along where I would sew (ie across the 15mm seam line rather than up near the edge of the fabric like I usually do) and it has worked perfectly. Next and final step is the collar, which I am dreading so going to stop for the night and do that on the weekend when I am less tired.

I love hearing about all the sewing that has been going on. I made a very special bag yesterday, it was a free noodlehead pattern for making a crossbody bag out of cargo pants, and I made it out of some trousers belonging to my step dad who died last year to give to my mum. I am pretty pleased with the results and a lot of love went into them.

I have also stocked up on patterns as waves and wild have a sale and I have had my eye on their heyday dungarees for ages. I also bought the beachcomber dress to try stretch fabrics as a few of you mentioned that the.coco wasn't super flattering as a dress. I bought the child versions of both too and want to get them done before we go away in May half term.

@PickAChew I am trying a bit of quilting too, I am doing a scrappy colourwash quilt with offcuts, only made a few so far but it is a long term project.

That’s a lovely idea @Frumpyunicorn. I turned a pair of FILs trousers into shorts for DH and he loves them. It’s nice to have something personal but not obvious.

Thanks for the Waves and Wild tip - one superstar bra pattern purchased

I’m hoping to find some time to toile some swim shorts today. I'm a bit vexed with my vast multigenerational thread collection as well because I never seem to have the right colours. I need to sort it out and possibly buy a second thread stand

Multigenerational thread collection

This made me grin as I have one too 😀

Did someone say quilting? I've been doing this for the first time when making my padded lens bags/pouches (not going well, don't ask, i've made dresses ffs and this is what screws me up). I dislike quilting with wadding. It moves.

And when I start each line, the thread looks messy.

Try 505 temporary adhesive spray for sticking all your layers together without them shifting @NutellaEllaElla, and hold the thread tails with your left hand as you start the piece in the machine to stop them tangling.