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

@FloofyBird I'm a H cup, so you know I'm a fellow struggler. A good thing about indie patterns is they are more likely to have a full cup option (though maybe only on their plus sizes) or blog posts about how to FBA their pattern. (I'll be going back to the one I used on the Friday Pattern Company for my Saguaro Set top to try and do my Seasons of the East dress I think. And maybe a bit of free styling). Anyway, even with that I usually sew mainly in jersey, utilising the lazy FBA methods that are available there (add an inch to the front length at boob apex and then stretch the back between armpit and waist notches to take up that extra fabric/ add an inch in width into the side seams close to boob apex on the front and curve it back in )

I am in awe of anyone trying a fba. I am more pear shaped so have found sewing really helpful as I can grade to a larger size in the hips.

Thanks for the advice @Jins I am going to try hacking as it is basically the same pattern. I have some old curtains and a toile of the remy raglan top in an old bedsheet so will try it out first.

Not posted much recently, but have been lurking…I’m in awe of all this holiday sewing!

I came back from holiday myself a while ago, thinking I really have very little in the way of a Summer wardrobe. But have I done anything about it? Of course not! At this rate it’ll be autumn by the time I start my first Summer project! May be I can use this thread for a little bit of accountability too.

I’m thinking of making the Sew House Seven Free Range Slacks in linen. Has anyone here made that pattern? It looks fairly straightforward, which is probably what I need right now. Also have an Atelier Jupe Olivia planned.

The Free Range Slacks pattern looks quite straightforward (and tempting). I’ve bookmarked Atelier Jupe for the future - some lovely patterns there.

My burst of holiday sewing has ended now as I’ve ticked off everything on my list but my sewjo is well and truly back and I’m looking for new projects. The SH7 Willow wrap belt was a winner. I made it in some black polycotton that i used to use for toiles and ended up doing a bit of machine embroidery in black because I was bored. It definitely gives the impression that I have a waist.

This weekend I’m hoping to trace off a few of the patterns I’ve had printed.

Hello all, not much sewing from me currently as I’m in the process of moving so machine is packed away. I’ve been keeping myself busy cutting quilt squares. Plus side is the new house has a room that can be my craft room/ office instead of a desk crammed in the spare room corner so very excited to have lots of space

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice the other day re trying a FBA. I decided to trace the pattern according to my upper bust size and do an FBA (B to a D cup as there's 4" between my upper bust and full bust). My toile looks LOADs better but there's still a teeny bit of excess fabric just above my bust and towards my armhole.

When redoing my toile I didn't cut a new back, so whilst I sized down on the front bust area to a size 16 the back is still a size 22. If I cut a smaller back will this eradicate the excess fabric near my armhole?

Thanks :)

Hi everyone.

I've just picked up a couple of patterns and wondered if anybody's made the Sew House Seven Remy Raglan Top or the Tilly and the Buttons Nora cardigan? Are they worth a try? Any tips on fabric/sizing?

@FloofyBird could you turn the excess into a little dart leading to the armhole? Sometimes two darts from different angles work better for your shape. Oh, and you are fitting wearing the bra you’re likely to wear it with? For instance I wouldn’t fit an everyday top wearing a push-up bra as I’d be fitting to a shape that I wouldn’t be wearing it normally.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I’ve made the Norah cardi. It was a while ago, so I can’t remember if I made a 5 or a 6( Im not the shape Tilly drafts for, my bust is a 6/7, waist 4/5, hip 5/6). To my eyes it came out frumpy rather than casually oversized. If I were to make it again I’d use a drapier fabric (mine was a quilted jersey so really holds the shape) and possibly go down a size. I probably won’t make again though, I suspect it’s just not a good shape for me.

Does the back fit at the size you cut @FloofyBird? It’s tempting to try going down a size to see how that fits.

I’ve made a Remy raglan, so far just the plain version but I’m planning more. It came out a bit big and a little shorter than I like but nothing I can’t fix. It’s a good wardrobe staple. Can’t help on TATB though. I’ve never made one

Thanks @SBAM and @Jins - really useful. What fabric did you make the Remy in, Jins? My limited experience so far tells me that Tilly patterns are very oversized, so if I do try the cardigan I’ll size down.

I used viscose challis for the Remy @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie and I’m happy with how it turned out but when I make the version with the button at the front neckline I’m probably going to use some viscose linen I have in my stash or some cotton lawn that’s been waiting for the right project.

I’ve never made a TATB pattern but they do look roomy. A lot of people size down for the Remy and I considered it but decided against it as I have rather broad shoulders.

Hi @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I have made the remy too and really like it, I added about 6cm length as I wanted it slightly longer and sized down but did the curvy fit as I am pear shaped so that worked well for me. I have made the split front version in viscose, planning a plain front in double gauze and also will be hacking a dress from it.

ooh Sewing Bee is back on May 21st! 9pm, BBC 1

Brilliant. Thanks, both. Sounds like a need a fabric shopping trip (again).

Double gauze, my T&T has been Rebecca Oage’s Olivia top. I’m wondering how it would be in SH7’s Remy Raglan? Thinking I will make it longer, any other tips please?
Also bought the slacks as part of the Sew7Together challenge. Anyone else doing it?

Anyone going to Birmingham this Sunday for the "sewing" day?

What's the Birmingham sewing day? I'm in the midlands so not too bad to get to Birmingham

Gaaah! Guess whose printer is out of toner, half way through printing out a pattern. DAMMIT!

Literally 5 pages short of one of the options I was considering making (about 40 short on the full pattern)

Don't know a thing about it, can you provide more info?

@kittykarate this may be a bit late, but if you take out the toner cartridge and give it a good shake you can usually get a bit more out of it.

I tried the toner shimmy and didn't manage to get any more out, have had to order a new one.

I guess it means I might finally finish my Pona jacket?

Got all my quilt squares cut and ready to start sewing them together tomorrow. Hoping I remember how to use the machine after a month of not turning it on.

@Allthegoodnamestakken well done on the cutting - always the worst bit of making a quilt I find!

I’ve finished the baby quilt I was making before the baby has even arrived. I’m looking forward to some summer makes now.

That’s beautiful @SBAM. I’ve not done any quilting since I was about 10 and my grandmother showed me how to do it. I found it recently and can still remember the source of most of the fabrics.

No significant sewing to report although I did turn an old viscose jersey maxi skirt into a LN forte top with gathered front. A short version of the dress I made. That’s another bit of stash gone and three items made from a $5 pattern so I’m happy with that.

Off to Corfu tomorrow and can’t wait. Just hope the sewjo lasts as I’ve been preparing for a few projects for my return

@SBAM that quilt is lovely!

I decided to try doing a bit more patchwork. This time a top to wear to the pool while on holiday.