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

I am very impressed with any sort of underwear sewing. It demonstrates a level of accuracy in sewing which is beyond me.

Had a sewing weekend. Banged out two tops for DM. Nothing complicated but I wanted to get them out of the door so I could get back to sewing another toile for DD.

I have started my Christmas sewing . Just finished this criss over apron for my daughter. Apart from miles of top stitching at the end , this has been a quickish sew . Nice pattern too 😊 ( Janet Clare artisan apron )

That is lovely @bookbook what age is it for please? I have made similar for great nephew & niece and I'm hoping I have got the sizing right.

thank you @GnomeDePlume .
This is an adult size pattern ( my daughter saw one on line and hankered for one ) and I chose it as it goes from size 10 - 34 . None of the free ones I looked at went big enough for her , or looked right .
So glad I bought this - it was already printed out , so I saved quite a lot on printing paper .
I am definitely going to make more , maybe one for myself when I get the time ....( huh! )

I particularly love the orange tie dye, Gnome!

I've been thinking about one of those crossover aprons for gardening - with pockets for twine, snips etc. I think I have a Tessuti one somewhere which I've never cut out. I'm a sod for wiping my hands on my clothes so something that covers me well like that would be ideal.

Sewing didn’t happen yesterday but preparations for sewing took place. I picked up some black ribbed jersey that’s very similar to my original top that I’ve copied and was about to get go until I remembered that the last ribbed jersey I used contracted in the wash to the point that it was unwearable. So I prewashed but as it rained all day yesterday it’s not dry yet.

No sewing today as it’s DS2s birthday and we’re taking him to lunch. I may cut out a bralette though

gosh i have just realised that i am Queen Thicko from the land of the Thick people.

The Assembly Line have a new skirt pattern, the Asymmetric Skirt if anyone's interested
ASYMMETRIC MIDI SKIRT PATTERN– The Assembly Line shop

and i thought "i hope they do it in XL - the 3 pleated skirt i bought only goes up to L" and i realised that their patterns are all in S-L L-3XL and S-3XL and i just bought the wrong one.

I have been trying and failing to get the 3 pleat skirt to fit (newly fat) me but i could have bought the right size all along. (at least i was only making a toile so have only lost time, which is also OK because all sewing is a learning process)

Oh it drives me nuts the split sizes thing! Especially as they always seem to make the split around size 16 .

yeah - normally I'm an L - but i have... expanded. I'm in denial, and only just coming to terms with having to accept my new Beetle shaped figure so it's been a struggle anyway.
I bought it ages ago so probably too late to ask them if i can exchange it. But maybe worth a try?

Or at least ask if you can just pay to 'upgrade' from the price of a half size range to the full range pack (17 to 22)

I have also expanded gradually over the last 2 years so my hatred of split size patterns has intensified .

I don't actually have any projects on the go at the minute, I have a ton of sparkly fabrics that I really should sew up for Christmas. I've bought one of the new Minerva patterns https://www.minerva.com/mp/1424831/minerva-exclusive-sewing-pattern-savannah-dress because it's a thing I'd probably wear a lot, even if it's not that revolutionary a pattern.

@kittykarate i like the look of that - it reminds me of the drape dress from the GBSB book (this one) which is on my list as I think it’ll make a great smart/casual work dress.

oh that's a good idea, i might do that, and buy the other skirt pattern at the same time

I need a good talking to.

failed on the sewing and have become completely distracted with needle felting.

and further distraction in the name of making extra large cushion covers….which I’ve had the linen in my Amazon basket for several weeks.

Why can’t I just stick one project????

@Dellabob123 ”Why can’t I just stick one project????”

because you’re creative and creative minds are always imagining things! I don’t believe many of us are focused on one thing at a time even if we manage to only be doing 1 project at a time other things are being created in our minds . . .

I'm off work sick. I need to do some sewing but i have just received a load of (fake)Lego that i ordered to build a little sewing machine. So i may do that today.

Have just finished cushions for DGD’s nursery rocking chair (large size and the smaller one) plus a lampshade. Now looking for a pattern to run up some little pinafore dresses like the ones in JoJo Maman Bebe at the moment. I want the ones with a yoke and frills over the armholes. Can anyone point me in the right direction please as haven’t be3n @ble to find a pattern yet.

could you adapt this one @bouncydog ? https://5berriespatterns.com/peppa-dress-pattern-for-babies-and-girls-0m-6y/

Made by Rae have the Geranium dress https://www.made-by-rae.com/geranium which has a flutter sleeve option.

I finished setting in sleeves today. I had to unpick and re do a fair bit. I remember in an episode of sewing bee, one contestant saying to the other that they just had to sew in some sleeves so that's easy. Does everyone else find it easy? I don't! I hate gathering and making the sleeve head fit into the hole, avoiding puckers. Even pressing the seams after is fiddly.

All I have to do now is all the blimmin button holes. 😱 Not sure when though, I had to pack away all my stuff as we're having people over for lunch tomorrow and I work from my dining room table.

Give me setting in sleeves over doing a continuous sleeve placket any day of the week. I cannot get the damn things right and the most recent one created a hole almost as soon as I'd sewed it. I need to find a better method. Also doing cuffs or collars. My nemeses.

My nemesis is zips.

Going to be toiling away today. Toile #3 for a couple of dresses I am going to make for DD1.

I'm hoping to squeeze in some sewing later today. Probably adjusting the waistband on my Philippa trousers. Wondering about adding front patch pockets too.

On the split sizes topic - yes! I've always been across the split, whether it was a 14/16 in Big 4 patterns or nowadays being a 16/18 in indie patterns. The split always seems to fall across my two sizes. I'm a 14-16 top and 18-20 waist/hip. As are many people I should think. I guess the problem is fitting all sizes onto A0 paper.

@NutellaEllaElla have you tried this collar technique? https://themahoganystylist.blogspot.com/2017/06/tutorial-drafting-one-piece-collar.html?m=1 If you don't mind the centre back seam it takes away all the bulky seam intersections.