Stitch and bitch thread #10. There’s a pattern here

[NutellaEllaElla]

Time for a new thread as the weather starts to turn.
Welcome back oldies and come on in newbies!

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Hi everyone. I have a question-
Has anybody made the Fabric Godmother Peony dress? I absolutely love the look of it but I haven’t learned how to do zips yet! I’m wondering if I might be able to use the T&B Indigo bodice, which I know works well for me, but then make the skirt narrower to get a less full and flouncy fit?

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie are you thinking of a) hacking the indigo pattern to make it look more like the peony, or b) using both patterns and create a mash up?

I’ve not made either, so not sure how easy option B would be. My gut instinct is possibly a bit harder than it might initially seem, as one part has gathers and the other darts so that may look a bit odd. I’d change the gathers into darts, which is easy, but does change the fit so you may need a zip after all…Option A strikes me as the easier one.

Having said all that, zips are really not something to be feared, I know not everyone on this thread will agree with me on this one, but if you take your time and practice a few times, you should be fine. My top tip is to baste the zip in place by hand before sewing it in place, or use something called wonder tape. Both are a lot more effective than pins for stopping your zip from moving around.

Thanks @CrimsonAlligator I'm contemplating hacking the Indigo to make it a bit less full skirted.

I have it but haven’t made it yet. It looks good on every body shape from what I can see. It’s been a while since I last made a dress with a zip but echo @CrimsonAlligator in practising lots first. sew Essential have some good zip tutorial videos on YouTube. I will also add that I found using a hump jumper very helpful last time I sewed a zip.

No sewing here this weekend. Got a friend staying and am keen to get something cut out for my sewing social on Tues but can’t decide what!

No sewing here either. Can’t decide what’s next on my list and struggled to find my sewjo

have been sewing this weekend, but just pottering. Still can't force myself to make clothes for me.

But. I got a slide scanner for Christmas to digitise some of my mum's slides from the 50s and 60s. Turns out it does negatives too, which gives way better results than scanning photographs. And so i did a load of pictures from around 2002-2004. i was quite stunned by the amount of clothes i wore back then that I'd made myself, about 70%. And for my DDs.

Maybe that will inspire me...

After a busy few weeks at work, I've got some time off. I cut out the Love Notions dressing down yesterday so am hoping to start that today. If possible I'm hoping to cut out the Itch to Stitch pine cove PJs as a present and Apostrophe patterns onesie for DS today as well.

I saw this susankhalje.com/collections/videos linked to on Pinterest yesterday and am tempted to try one of the courses - has anyone tried it before?

I’ve never done a course of any kind but I’ve often thought about it. My mother taught me the basics when I was young and I’ve developed more skills from online sources and YouTube but a course on fitting and adjustments would be right up my street.

@ShoAndSew I’m the opposite - I wore 100% bought clothes back then when my DSs were young and I can only remember using my sewing machine once during that time to shorten curtains. Now I’m close to 100% me-made clothes - including underwear! I’ve gained weight very unevenly over the years and can never find anything that fits! If I buy clothes now it’s either to take apart to make a pattern or to use the fabric for something else.

i am (stupidly, IMO) really hung up on my weight-gain and post-menopause weight-redistribution. I was never super slim, and often made clothes because i couldn't find things to fit my (massive boobed) upper and (relatively slim) bottom half.

I just need to get over myself, tbh 😁

I made one of the Minerva Savannah dresses in french terry. The pocket process continues to be a faff to be honest, and they do still look a tad depressed and down at mouth. But you know, appropriate as I've made it to wear in a presentation next week that I don't want to deliver. Next time will try it in a colour block, it might perk up a bit then.

I did some sewing!
I cut out and almost finished a toile for the Atelier Jupe Zoey pattern recommended to me above. I really like the construction, and I think this is going to become another trusted pattern for me.

I’d like to make some more trousers but only have denim in at the moment. Any suggestions for nice warmer trouser fabrics (other than cord and wool)?

@twobluechickens I've bought cotton drill and made two pairs of trousers in this. Both slightly heavier than chino material, but could be worn in warmer weather too I think.

Funnily enough @Hiddendoor I was just looking at cotton drill!

@twobluechickensas well as drill, have a look at twill and gabardine/gaberchino. Depending on what you have in mind suiting may be worth a look too. It comes in all sorts of fabric compositions, as well as pure wool.

I kind of like the description of your dress @kittykarate. I’m all for subtle rebellions 😂

I’ve not done much sewing this weekend. Been busy planning my new sewing space.

Ooh new sewing space @CrimsonAlligator ! Tell us more!

I’m not entirely sure what I want the trouser fabric for - maybe some Closet Core Mitchells, maybe some I Am Patterns Sunshine barrel leg trousers. Also got the Atelier Scammit Attitude pattern which I’ve never made (too scared of welt pockets)

Just bought the Merchant & Mills Quinn trousers (sailor style). Hoping they will suit me but as I’m pear shaped I fear the front might not be flattering. Will report back.

Ooh, Mitchell trousers are next on my list @twobluechickens. I’ll be making view B in mystery suiting fabric from Abakhan.

I also have the Quinn in my stash, but no plans for what to make those from. I thought flat fronted was often recommended as a good thing for pear shapes? I’m a fellow pear, albeit one who increasingly thinks rules are meant to be broken, or at least played around with! Would be really interested in hearing how you get on with those.

The new sewing space is my DH’s idea. I think he’s fed up of my sewing stuff spilling out into the living room, the dining room and the kitchen….I’m not the tidiest sewist! I’ll be banished to the attic which he’s planning to kit out himself. It’s a bit of an awkward space to furnish but having a dedicated space will just be amazing!

I’m doing view A - I’ve made them before and they are really fun to make, although I found the instructions weren’t very clear for the pleats construction. I didn’t bother with the welt pockets last time but will definitely include them this time.

I have quite a round tummy so am not sure about the Quinns. But the buttons on either side should distract from that! Not sure about fabric either, maybe a brushed twill type thing? I will report back!

I lie! Also doing view B.

It would appear I lied too, or rather that I was misled by 90% of the advertising being focused on view B. I’ll be making view A!

But first I need to finish my shirt. Just the collar, cuffs and buttons to go…all the tricky bits basically. I tried it on yesterday and there’s a marked improvement in the fit around the back armhole. Matching up the right notches definitely helped…(thanks for pointing that out PickAChew) and I also tweaked the shape of the sleeve head. I still feel there’s too much excess fabric though, but at least it’s not actually bulging like it was on the first attempt.

I really do like the look of those Mitchell trousers. I tend to default to a tapered style which is View A, I think? Although the wider cut of view B is more current (not that I follow trends or anything...). Maybe punching a bit above my weight at the moment ability wise, though ...have only attempted elasticated waist trousers thus far, with no fastenings.
Meanwhile, my flippy skirt (Closet Core Fiore View A) is coming on. I am definitely improving at concealed zips with practice...never thought I'd ever get close the first couple of times I attempted them. But I did mess up the placement of it so I'll need to put in a hook and eye fastening or something at the top of the waistband. Well, it's a wearable toile and I always wear tops which come just over a waistband, so not terrible. Am hanging it before doing the hem.

Fiore skirt, and concealed zipper image

The concealed zip looks really good!

I don’t remember finding the Mitchells very difficult last time, just took my time. I think there’s an online tutorial and I’m sure someone will have done a sewalong on YouTube.

I was hoping to do some cutting out this evening but have had a long and tiring day at work so am going to sit on the sofa with the cat and watch videos on grading trousers 😁 If I find a Mitchell sewalong I’ll post it here.