Stitch and bitch thread #9. I have pressing concerns

[NutellaEllaElla]

Welcome welcome!

I've not made anything for ages after I screwed up the same thing twice. I'm gonna have another blimmin crack at it though! I've reconnected with another hobby and work is seriously getting in the way of everything I want to do, darn it.

@Daffyyellow
@rivercobbler
@bookbook
@FletchingStraight
@Tinuviel
@Karatema
@Brefugee
@kittykarate
@Greaterthanthesumoftheparts
@FriendsDrinkBook
@123ZYX
@SparkleHard
@FarEast
@Dellabob123
@Twobluechickens
@SBAM
@InMySpareTime
@Jins
@CrimsonAlligator
@MontyDonsBlueScarf
@Bouncydog
@Hoogieflip
@GonnaGetGoingReturns
@Subolooo
@SleepingisanArt
@GnomeDePlume
@Chewbecca
@Ingefae
@Rosenspants
@Cynderella
@PickAChew
@Wildernesstips
@Pastabest
@BlackAmericanoNoSugar
@Frumpyunicorn
@WickDittington
@Allthegoodnamestakken
@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie
@SheWasASkaterGirl
@Isabelle70
@Twwodoorsaway
@FloofyBird

When you spot a fabric you like but not sure what you'll make with it, what quantity do you usually buy?

For 150 wide, usually 1.5m for a simple top or slim fitting trousers or joggers, 2m for ones with more details, gathers etc. A bit more for bottoms if there is a nap or pattern that needs matching or if I know that the fabric I have chosen shrinks a lot.

For a dress, I would buy 2-3.5m, depending on the style and the fabric.

I'm a 12-14, 5'4 with short arms and legs.

Hello ! Jins - could you make tote bag/ veg storage with the material ? Must be good for something !
@Sewliketosew . I buy 1m for my toddler GDS’ , 2m minimum for me ( sometimes 3) - I am 5’9” and an 18/20 .
managed sewing time this week ! Cut out the double gauze - that was the real pain after washing , trying to smooth it out into some semblance of ‘straight’ . Not had too many issues with fraying - no where near as bad as I was expecting , thank goodness. Just need to hand stitch the facings inside , add snaps ( quicker and easier than buttons/ buttonholes ) , then hemming . All tomorrows jobs

Those are incredibly cute!

I'm staring at my machine and procrastinating buttonholes.

@bookbook those are absolutely adorable! I got bored of shirring after hours of it yesterday so am spending the evening by the fire cutting out 3 inch squares for my next quilt.

@bookbook they’ve turned out so cute!

So sweet @bookbook! I've been sewing the Ines top from the Fibremood magazine and the neck hole is tight. I have managed to trim away to expand it but it seemed a bit odd. I'm glad I'm making it with leftover fabric. I need to wait for my order of 5cm width elastic to arrive before I finish it.

@bookbook they are gorgeous. The fabric is perfect!

The dobby has gone to my neighbour to make tote bags funnily enough. She makes bags for the local homeless charity to fill with blankets and other essentials so it’s had a very good home.

You used that fabric brilliantly @bookbook ! Those dresses are so cute.

I’ve started my second Arlo jacket this weekend. I wasn’t planning to make another one quite so soon, but unfortunately my washing machine broke last week. I didn’t want to risk sewing up a woven fabric without pre-washing it first, but figured a knit fabric should be ok?! I guess I’ll find out when I eventually wash the jacket 😅

They are so cute @bookbook !

I’m halfway through (those words must give Sewing Bee contestants PTSD) my Paola jacket and pleased with how it’s going so far, although the fabric is fraying like mad and I perhaps shouldn’t have trimmed the seams quite as closely.

The instructions tell you to add the sleeves on the flat and then sew the sleeve and bodice side seams as one which tbh is a bit of a revelation in terms of setting in sleeves. I’ve always done this with knit fabrics on the overlocker but hadn’t considered it for wovens. This jacket has flat felled seams so perhaps it’s because of that, but I like the method!

those are lovely. I kind of miss sewing little outfits for my DCs.

I had 2 patterns (one dress, one shorts-overalls) that i made over and over and over in several sizes.

Those dresses are cute as.

Quick and stupid question- I ordered some deadstock Liberty gingham for an Indigo dress, but the checks are huge. Do you think I could just use the Indigo skirt shape and some elastic and make a skirt instead?

I’m sure you could @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie.

The only slight reservation I’d have is about where the waist sits on the Indigo. If looks quite high? You could just take an inch or two from the top to make it sit at your natural waistline. Obvs you do need to allow some space at the top to add the elastic (assuming you’re making some sort of tunnel for the elastic). But yes, totally doable I’d think

I’ve been busy ordering new fabric (I blame COVID for some out of character purchases 😂)

I absolutely love the M&M check and was surprised to find that although very bright, the colours don’t wash me out! It’s a bit of a revelation tbh. I clearly still don’t have a clue about what colours suit me.

I also got some broderie anglaise, which turns out to have the most enormous holes. I was going to dye it navy to make it look less like a tablecloth, but now that I’ve seen it in real life I’m really not sure what to make with it. My original plan was a shirt, but I don’t think there’s enough space between the holes to make button holes…I can see this one ending up in my stash for the next decade or two, while I wait for inspiration to strike 🙃

I often sew set in sleeves that way, I find it so much easier and get far better consistency with any sleeve head ruffles or pleats.

It also means you can do a french seam for the sleeve and side seam without it ending up too bulky where the sleeve joins the bodice.

@SewingBees I think it might be the way forward! And yes definitely for French seams.

Could you do loops for buttons instead?

Ooh that’s a good idea @123ZYX!

I’m starting to warm to the fabric a bit more after draping it on my poor DH and concluding it didn’t look as much like a string vest as I’d originally feared. Ah, the perils of online fabric shopping!

My friend was wearing a broderie anglaise blouse the other week and it had 3 ties down the front instead of buttons. It would depend on the size and shape of the pattern, I suppose, you wouldn’t want it pulling.

That style is so IN! I think Ganni was the OG commercial style, buy now nobody's children is all over it. I've seen a bunch of things on Facebook groups where they want to hack an existing pattern to get that effect.

This thread for anyone or just the tagged? TIA

Oh, is it? She’s younger than me, I remember it from the first time round - Peasant Blouses

TATB's latest blouse has ties down the front too - definitely a trend!

All welcome! The tagging is just to try and not lose anyone when the thread fills up. Though we will demand a tax payable with photos of your makes!

If you feel its too holey for a blouse @CrimsonAlligator how about a short kimono style top? Though I've made 2 blouses recently with broderie, so I clearly don't care about flashing my bra.