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

@NutellaEllaElla if you're making small things like bags as opposed to a full size quilt, I recommend the Quilt as you Go technique. Cut to size once you've quilted it as the quilting will make it smaller. This works particularly well with odd shaped scraps but it's also fine for strips. If you're working with pre cut squares you can always assemble them into strips first.

@MontyDonsBlueScarf Bloody hell this might be the game changing piece of advice because the problem has been that they've come out too small! Do you cut then overlock the edges?

And thank you @SBAM

@NutellaEllaElla re edges that really depends how you were going to finish them anyway.

I sometimes do QAYG with just the batting and top and then do the lining as normal, that way all the cut edges are enclosed. Sometimes I do a small zigzag inside what will be the seam allowance if I feel it needs a bit more support. Or you can bind/overlock once assembled, but depending on the size of your bag this can be a bit fiddly.

Explanation here https://www.applegreencottage.com/quilt-as-you-go-tutorial/

If you scroll through there are some good tips for bag making and also whether or not to quilt through the backing.

Thank you I'll have a look

That’s a great tutorial, @MontyDonsBlueScarf

Just be warned it's such a quick and forgiving way to use up your scraps that you'll have quilted bags, cushions, table mats and other stuff you didn't even know you needed before you know it 😂

Evening .
Just catching up on everyones posts , as I have not had the chance to sew for weeks and weeks , life has just got in the way .
I too need to go look at the waves and wild sale @Frumpyunicorn , now I have twin granddaughters . I love their patterns - the beachcomber is one I have made loads and loads of ( particularly for my daughter , who loves the big pockets ) , and have made the heydays for my other daughter for her to wear whilst pregnant . I found a pair of cream linen patio door curtains for £7 in a charity shop , which proved perfect , then dyed them after the sewing . I had sewn in cream , which didn't take the dye , but looked great as a contrast 😀.
I bought some material to make eldest daughter a dress - the Halla Agnes swing ( its a free pattern if you join the facebook group) . I have made it as a tunic , and fits nicely , just need to add side seam pockets for her , and check where they need to be . Material is washed , just need to get cutting now ..

Thanks for the tip on Halla patterns @bookbook - I’ve just joined as I can get the sleep shorts pattern free as well and they’d save me altering another pattern for my swim shorts.

I was hoping to get some fabric prewashed today but it’s looking a bit gloomy and I haven’t got the space to dry them inside. I have some gorgeous navy viscose linen in my stash earmarked for trousers and that definitely needs washing first!

I’ve stuck the pattern pieces for the Mood wrap bralette together and am hoping to toile it soon. I think I know how I’m going to turn it into swimwear but I need to test it first as I fear there may be a risk of under boob

So I’ve done all the measuring and I can only assume the lace they recommend is not stretchy as the pattern pieces are massive. It’s too much of a gamble to try it in very stretchy Lycra so it’s back to square one and I’ll see if I can amend the trusty Barrett bralette which I can make in my sleep nowadays. It looks doable now that I’ve seen how pattern pieces work for a wraparound shape

Finished my third Frida blouse and am pretty pleased with it. But I really struggle with collar stands, they are so fiddly. I end up having to bodge them whereas people on YouTube make them look so easy!

I've had my sewing machine back a week now but no chance to sew (I have done some gardening and indoor gardening tho, so not entirely lazy)
Tomorrow i want to ease back into sewing a bit gently and plan to make a tissue box cover from 2 pillow cases i cut down (we use the big 80cm x 80cm pillows here, generally, but bought smaller memory foam ones so i cut them down).

Exciting stuff chez Bref!

I continue to be awed by some of the projects going on here especially swim wear which I’m nowhere near tackling yet! I can however announce my very first pair of me made trousers - Miller pattern from Paper Theory. Thank you to the poster who mentioned them upthread. My first go at any sort of pocket. I’d like to make the same pattern in something more drapey. I used a cotton-linen mix for the first pair. Suggested fabric is viscose twill. Does anyone have any experience of sewing with this?

I like sewing with viscose twill but it can be a bit slippery and badly behaved. Make sure to prewash as viscose shrinks up to 10% or so.

I think you’ve made a great job of those trousers. How wide is the elastic? You can straight stitch through all the layers in the waistband to stop it twisting in the casing but it can stretch it more than you may want

well, i have done this. I can't cope with clothes these days apparently 😂

That’s a good tip @Jins Thank you! The elastic was 1.25 inches iirc. I’m really pleased with the trousers though. A friend just mentioned that they are almost exactly like her Toast Gabi pull on trousers! (Currently retailing at c£119 ! ) I’m not sure about trying a slippery viscose but I’d like to make them with a bit more drape. So any other woven fabric recommendations gratefully received.

How about linen? Or linen blends? I’ve got a lovely viscose linen mix waiting to be made up into similar trousers. I’ve used crepe a few times but the variation in crepe is huge and it needs feeling in person. I’d go with the fabrics the pattern recommends. Viscose isn’t too bad really, it just needs to be told how to behave. I often hand baste critical seams.

That's cheerful, @Brefugee 😊😎

Swim shorts tested and not 100% successful as the waistband is a little loose for swimming and hits at the part of my stomach that makes them likely to fall down. The rest of the fit is fine so I’ll either run a drawstring inside the waistband or fiddle with elastic somewhere.

Matching set for sea swimming though

I’ve got a few hours to myself today so I’m hoping to get some sewing done. I’m absolutely fed up of sewing toiles, making adjustments etc even though I’ve learned how to do a few that will come in useful.

I’ve got a couple of old T shirts that I’d planned on turning into knickers so may get on with that. It’s a useful stashbuster

Haven't had much time to play with my new toy recently but got no Sunday plans so hopefully then! fingers crossed the quilting fabric I orders arrives before then and I am going to try and make a tote and some zippered pouches to get used to the machine before continuing with clothes.
Had a quick reattempt at the binding on my top yesterday and I just can't get round the corners, keep falling off the binding.

@Jins I went for a linen viscose mix in the end. Bright red from Dalston Mills which I find invariably has what I want at good prices. Have decided to have a go at the Sew Over it Jemima Jumpsuit. I bought the paper pattern at The Stitch Show last summer. I will then follow with another pair of the Paper Theory trousers for the summer, perhaps in a drapey print. Thanks for the help. I’m still really impressed by your swimwear.
@Allthegoodnamestakken my only try with binding so far, was a bit of a debacle on a baby dress where everything was so tiny, that I couldn’t even sew the arm holes using the free arm on my machine. In the end I bought some toning, ready made bias binding and used that rather badly by hand. 😆

Bias binding can be tricky. More often than not I machine the first row of stitching then fold it over and whip stitch into place. I always baste the binding in place by hand first as well then just follow the fold line. I’ve got a 1/4” presser foot as well which will makes things a bit easier.

If I’m sewing with viscose - which is most of the time - I sometimes draft a facing rather than using binding.

Knickers were abysmal by the way. Not enough recovery so they ended up baggy and loose. On the plus side I’ve reduced the stash by one T shirt. On the minus side I’ll have to order more picot elastic

oh yes, i am a big fan of making a facing rather than use a binding. Much easier.

Old t-shirt? I cut them up into dusting rags or sew them into cushion covers (for much loved band t-shirts mostly)

Old T shirts always end up as knickers chez jins but I might learn from this mistake and repurpose them elsewhere

I’m a very novice sew-ist but love a bit of bias binding. I think my mistake so far has been not stay stitching underneath it though.