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

@PickAChew I do love the speed control. I also love that you get extra foot lift and you can move your needle a mm at a time in either direction.
I only use the single dual feet foot really for what I make. I don't ever change it. in fact the last one was used so much it snapped (a metal foot!) but I figured one broken foot in 7 years was ok.

@PickAChew I agree about build quality. My DM's sewing machine is a Pfaff. Given to her by her parents as a 21st birthday present in the late 1950s. It wasn't new then!

It's in need of repairs now but I used it regularly to take in jeans in the 1980s.

My own Pfaff is a bit too much ticky tacky plastic by comparison.

Another attraction is the line of sight, @thesugarbumfairy as I get such a sore neck tryi g to peer at what I'm doing and there is so much clutter around the needle. Lost track of how many times I knocked my Pfaff into reverse (and you don't have to keep the reverse button pressed on it) when I was wrangling a collar, yesterday.

I like my 1971 Bernina when I want good visibility but it's not up to heavy sewing.

I finally finally finished all 4 of my padded lens cases. Now I have to decide my next project. I can't buy more fabric so I'll have to sort and organise myself based on what I've already got.

Hello!
Am so jealous of craft rooms - I am another one working on the dining table ( which we use every night to eat at ) . I do have an A0 and an A1 cutting mat - I cannot grovel on the floor to cut out any more .
I upgraded my ancient Newhome ( now Janome) 6 years ago . I chose a Pfaff Ambition 2 , and have mostly been pleased with it . I need a top loading bobbin now , as I dont have the flexibilty in my fingers now , and I wanted to be able to use letters to put my DGS name in stuff ( I have hardly done after the first few bits ) . But I think you have to spend much more serious money to get anything like the build quality of older machines - even Bernina have gone down that route sadly I hear .
Yes - a sunhat for my DGS was obviously an error in judgement 😂
I have finally finished off the last bits of sewing . I made the short length 'over it alls' for my niece's little baby boy - he has a bar across his feet , making changing nappies a trial if the legs dont unpop . And as my other niece is due a baby next month , I have made her a little pair of leggings . Both made from scraps , which is a bonus !
Next up is an Agnes swing dress for my daughter - will hopefully get it cut out tomorrow or Monday , and sew up later in the week . I need time after cutting out to recuperate !

Picture might help !

they're so cute - i kind of miss making small children's clothes, you get to use fun fabrics and they are really quick.

I’m hoping to be able to resist poundametre after receiving my impulse purchase today. The jersey I really wanted isn’t in the parcel, the Lycra is strangely stiff, the mesh isn’t stretchy enough and the dobby jersey is soft but feels like plastic and totally see through.

I’ve had some lovely fabrics from them in the past but the last couple of orders have been more miss than hit

I love this fabric but am not sure what to do with it. Maybe a play suit? I've never worn one before, not sure I'm a playsuit person but won't rule it out. What do you think?

That’s a shame, @Jins - I find online fabric shopping is so risky.

Those are so cute @bookbook !

I nipped into my local fabric shop looking for a heavyweight canvas for my workwear jacket, and came out with a brushed denim. Only £9/metre. Now just got to stick the pattern together.

Hmm not sure the picture posted, try again

It's only one side of a duvet cover though so not sure how much fabric there is.

@NutellaEllaElla I’d be tempted to make a pair of elastic waisted cropped wide leg trousers with that, I think it would be a great summer basic.

That is annoying when the fabric disappoints @Jins . I think all the online retailers go through a phase sometimes. I once ordered a load of calico from Dalston Mills. When it arrived it seemed terribly stiff - turned out it was the fireproof version! I'm slowly using it up as bag lining.

Yes, that's a good idea. I already have a pattern I think.

Thanks for the fabric disappointment sympathy. They’ve refunded the missing item and cancelled my order that hasn’t been dispatched yet so I’m feeling better. The mesh might work as bralette or swimsuit lining and the dobby jersey may work for toiles. If it hasn’t been used by the end of the year I’ll offload it.

I’ve been stash sorting today to make space for the coverstitch when it arrives. I’ve found a few bits that have hung round long enough so I’m going to match them to patterns and get them gone

Ugh! So disappointed. I finally bought some fabric that I have wanted for several years, navy gingham double gauze, the type where the size of the square is large on one side and smaller on the other. Retraced a T&T, Rebecca Page’s Olivia top, but made a mistake and forgot to lengthen the front, so ended up with a mismatch of front and back lengths. Reordered, retraced and then took weeks to recut. Finally got it cut this week. It’s not my favourite sew but a I love the outcome, only this time I don’t, which seems daft - fabric I love and a pattern that works but the outcome is meh.

I have a piece of that gingham double gauze that has languished for various reasons, @Daffyyellow and I think it would give that top quite a lot of volume. I should really offload mine as it's too pale for me and I'm never going to use it.

I think that’s the problem, too much volume with a gingham pattern emphasising it. Have made the same pattern in double gauze before, navy with a gold fleck, and it’s my favourite - I love the gingham dg, but it doesn’t work for this pattern and you’ve helped identify why, thank you!

I’ve also had a disaster. Made a dress, so many mistakes along the way and so much unpicking. Finally got it all done bar the hem, decided to go shorter but went too short and hate it. Hoping I can find enough scraps to join together to make a tier to lengthen it again. So annoyed with myself.

I haven't done any sewing this week as I have been away but did wear my beachcomber dress and was very pleased with it. I finished the dress for my daughter but she doesn't like the frill, it is a toile for a jumpsuit so I might try removing the frill and just doing an elasticated neckline to see if she prefers it. I have my sewing social tomorrow and nothing cut out or planned. I have some double gauze so will probably make another remy. I am loving all the sewing rooms, I so use the dining room table!

@Frumpyunicorn my next make is going to be a toile of the Remy Raglan. I’ve bought some viscose to try for the first time, hoping to get it right and then make in double gauze - a current fav fabric for me!

@Daffyyellow I love it. I make the curve version and have added length as it was too short on me. I also really want to try the olivia by Rebecca page too

I still haven’t made a second Remy even though I’ve been intending to for ages. Thanks for the reminder - I’ll see if I can match it to some of the fabric I’ve put out to use up fast.

I’ve woken up full of good intentions so I’m hoping to get at least one project cut out and ready to go.

I’ve got the Remy pattern and need to try a toile. If I like it, I’m hoping to find some cotton dobby for it, but it doesn’t tend to come in very exciting colours. I’d love a deep red or emerald green.