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

The only thing I will say against buying loomstate fabric is that it takes a lot of dye. Mine went through twice and it still wasn't at the final colour. However I was happy with the colour it got to so stopped there.

The fabric itself was lovely to work with. It does fray a bit so means seams do need to be finished but that isn't too onerous if you finish the pieces before sewing them together.

The good thing about using dye is that you don't end up with a flat colour. I dyed some calico dark green and it ended up with a slightly marbled effect which was lovely for Christmas cushion backs.

I have the Pona jacket on my to-do pile. It came as a kit with some slightly stretchy heavy cotton, but I might make it in some stash denim.

I made the Ilford jacket (Friday Pattern Company) in a slightly stretchy denim. I think it works especially for commuting. Protection from the weather and grubby seats but not too heavy. The stretch means I don't feel constricted by it.

It also helps that it is boxy and I made it larger so I can wear all the clothes I own under it.

Ooh I just found out that there is a new presenter of the sewing bee for Christmas and series 10! Kiell Smith-Bynoe, which if any of you watch Ghosts, is the male lead. I'm happy because 1. He is lovely and 2. Sara Pascoe was so annoying, I could never warm to her.

Now this fabric has come into my radar for my short Pona jacket & I am 😍.
It's £15pm though, but I do get a 10% discount in this store and they won't make me buy 3m when i only need 2.2m so that helps.

Oh, just having a worried thought about pattern direction with the fabric now 😨

Sara is on mat leave I think isn't she? So will return.
I still love both Claudia and Joe!

Beautiful fabric is the hardest to cut into!
Yes she's on mat leave but the tweet said newbie was doing both Christmas special and the next season so we will see if she comes back after that.

I've had a tantrum and put my stuff away because the half and half shirt dress i've been making has turned out wrong. The cuffs on the shirt sleeves are facing outward rather than in towards the body. I have done cuffs and tabs, it took ages, I don't think I have it in me to unpick, re-cut (likely get it wrong again because I don't know what went wrong before) and re-do all of that. I kind of want someone to tell me that it doesn't matter and it won't be noticeable but DH isn't playing ball. Fucker.

I particularly like the middle one. Which store is it please?

@NutellaEllaElla a sewing tantrum is sometimes the only reasonable response.

Are you sure the cuffs aren't lefted for righted? If you sew them on the opposite sleeves do they sort themselves out?

Alternatively isn't this just your own edit?

https://thedressmakerfabrics.com/

I can't because i've used different fabric for the left than the right side of the dress, so one sleeve is black and the other is a green leaf print. Can't just swap 'em 😒

I'm a bit sad, the sewing subscription I was part of has just said that they are closing the subscription because it was getting to be too much work and too prone to problems with pattern and fabric delivery. Also, I don't think the margins were stacking up for them. I suppose the good thing is that means I've got to start tackling stash mountain and making up patterns that I'd been ignoring though!

Those are all lovely @Chewbecca, but check the width. Japanese fabric is often really narrow.

That’s a pain about the cuffs @NutellaEllaElla. I can handle things going wrong, but not if I can’t work out why. So frustrating!

I’ve been wearing my Philippa pants trousers for the past two days and they are now too big. Sigh. I’m not going to adjust the leg width for this pair but I think I will do the waistband so they’re not drooping around the crotch. Perfect on the hips though, so at least I don’t have to recut the entire pattern. They’re a bit baggy at the base of the button fly - any idea what adjustment that should be??

A flat or round pubis adjustment, apparently! Someone on Reddit has had exactly the same issue with this pattern and apparently I need to scoop out the crotch or something.

Glad you managed to find some information, the mind truly boggles at the number of different adjustments there are!

So many! I usually wear stretch denim which is much more forgiving.

Halfway through my first bra (Cloth Habit Watson), with pants also cut out. Made from leftover jersey scraps from previous projects. Quite fiddly but surprisingly satisfying to make. If I like the outcome I will get a few t-shirts from the charity shops and make more. Hopefully will be easy to adjust the fit too if it needs a tweak.

I’ve not made a ‘proper’ bra yet but I’ve made loads of Barret bralettes. I’ve worn bralettes for at least a decade so it made sense to make my own. I’ve adapted it into a bikini top as well. Most old Tshirts end up as pants for me nowadays. I use the Sinclair Kiki briefs pattern and I’ve made the high waisted version into tankini bottoms

I was just thinking about making another bra today as the elastic in one has gone a bit tired.

Finished! Apart from sewing in ends. The fit isn't bad, I need to take it in slightly at the top of the underarm seam, but otherwise it's pretty good. Next time I will also use the lining on the inside of the back panels, as they have too much stretch with just the one layer.

And some not-quite-matching pants (red elastic, I didn't have any purple). Foldover elastic really not that tricky to use.

They look great, well done!

They do look good. I hate FOE with a passion. I can sew most things but FOE is my nemesis.
No sewing today. Had to go and check MILs house and then went for a walk. Hopefully I’ll get on tomorrow. Another self drafted tank and possibly a bralette with the remnants. Then I’m hoping to trace the button version of Remy Raglan and find suitable stash fabric. After that it’s probably another pair of trousers. Probably Sinclair Poppy pants again but I’ve made so many adjustments it’s just too much faff to look elsewhere.
Managed to sit through a bit of the mamma Mia comp tonight. I know one of the contestants so I felt I should even though I’m no fan of ABBA or musicals generally