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!

@Brefugee
@PickAChew
@BlackAmericanoNoSugar
@Bookbook
@Allthegoodnamestakken
@SewingBees
@Twobluechickens
@kittykarate
@Jins
@Chewbecca
@CrimsonAlligator
@InMySpareTime
@MeAgainAndAgain
@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie
@Rosenspants
@OperationalSupport
@Twobluechickens
@Frumpyunicorn
@Hiddendoor
@PrincessofWells
@Isabelle70
@Daffyyellow
@Sewliketosew
@Lifesingflowers
@123ZYX
@Faffadoodledo
@MorriganManor
@GnomeDePlume
@Isabelle70
@DiggoryVenn
@Wilma55
@ZebraD
@Frankincenseandoranges
@Catnipcupcakes
@Tinuviel
@Karatema
@Nameohnameohname
@Outandabout43
@Thesugarbumfairy
@DuchessNope
@ShoAndSew
@Notthatcatagain
@Spaceman101
@Karatema
@Twwodoorsaway

well, you have convinced me to buy the Mitchell trousers- my DD loves the wide leg version , and I like the tapered , so win win

The flippy skirt looks great!

I do love the Mitchell trousers but pleats at the front don't really work for me.

I love the flippy skirt and the zip is great! It’s a long time since I’ve sewed a zip.

Tiny amount of sewing yesterday. I made a LN forte T shirt out of some cotton Lycra I picked up in Abakhan and a pair of Sinclair Kiki briefs out of the remnants. The coverstitch really didn’t like the fabric and chewed it up a bit when I did the hems. Luckily it managed the neckline without complaint.

All the talk of trousers has reminded me that I need a plain pair to wear with patterned tops.

The zip and the skirt are lovely ! - I haven't done a zip in clothing for years ( lots in little bags etc , which isn't the same )
Has anyone ever used an Elna sewing machine and can recommend ?- what looks like a barely used one is in our local charity shop - its an entry level I think - an Experience 520S , and was wondering if its a good buy for my daughter to replace the very very basic Brother she has( which is very noisy and clunky)

@bookbook I haven’t used an Elna but I did look at them when I wanted to upgrade my Toyota. I think they are part of the Janome brand so should be fine

Thanks @Jins - tempted to just buy and see

Most elna are made by Janome. It's getting on a bit for a computerised machine hut is worth trying if the price is right. A couple of reviews here sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/fuzzysearch.pl?name=machine&mid=1616&getsearch=1

That Elna looks a pretty handy machine - up to 7mm stitch width, auto thread cutter, good range of buttonholes and fancy stitches. It should fit a Janome walking foot too.

I have an Elna 6005 Heirloom and it’s great. Inherited from my grandma.

Does anyone have any tried & tested menswear patterns they recommend? I’d really like to make something for DH at some point. DH is surprisingly enthusiastic about the idea, but has no clue what he wants.

I’ve been looking at Friday Pattern Company’s Ilford jacket. DH has a real thing for canvas jackets, so that seemed like a good starting point, but it looks a bit…shapeless?! It doesn’t need to be a jacket btw. Any pattern suggestions are welcome 😊

Has anyone made a fabric Christmas cracker and can recommend a pattern or tutorial? We have work team challenges in December and I know a cracker is going to be one of the activities...

The only things I've made for my husband are the Jalie Raglan Tshirt - good, and a pair of joggers from love notions. Actual 'nice' patterns I've just not seen much good stuff for men.

I’ve made a couple of T shirts and some Linen trousers which he loved.

Nothing structured tbh , but casual , but I have made lots of hoodies . The one I use time and again is the Hot Coffee from Waves and Wild , there is also a slightly different one called the Cottesloe - different pocket and a slightly slimmer fit . My DGS has just moved into the adult hoodie pattern - I posted a picture of it upthread ( has a big Thanos on the front )
I have just bought an Ellie and Mac t shirt pattern for DH - he wants a raglan sleeve option for t shirts as he finds them more comfortable , but not made it yet .

DH isn't particularly stitch-worthy but I've made him the Merchant and Mills All State shirt. I didn't get the fit quit right across his shoulders but it's as nice to put together as any of their patterns. The Foreman is a less baggy chore jacket than the Ilford (and I have an unused copy going spare - see above comment about not being stitch worthy).

Thanks all! I suspect DH won’t want anything too casual, which seems to rule out most patterns and there aren’t that many to start with in the first place! Merchant & Mills is a good shout. Will go and peruse their website 😊

Have a look at the Paynter jacket collab with Merchant & Mills.

@Rosenspants The flippy skirt looks lovely, the zip is really neat. I haven't done a zip in years, and I actually can't remember if I've ever done one in clothes at all. I am challenging myself to try more advanced items though.

I still haven't made DS's T-shirt. Half term here this last week, and it has been hard work. I have been able to do some patchwork, but I'm limited for space, I'd have to pack all that up, and then I don't know when I'd get back to it. I desperately want to FINISH something. I'm a serial project-starter and I want to use up some stash before the knitting & stitching show in Nov.

@CrimsonAlligator if you’re on Instagram have a look at Sewsewlive and Groovygreylook - they both make clothes for their husbands that are a bit smarter than the usual t-shirt and joggers, so should have some pattern ideas. I follow a few men who sew, will have a look to see if any match the brief.

Completed my shirt!

This one was “inspired” by a shirt I saw on the Toast website. I used the Grainline Archer as the starting point and changed pretty much everything to make this a-line, split hem version. I’m disproportionately pleased with my efforts 😂

Next up are the Mitchell trousers, but I’m also thinking about another shirt hack and want to make something for DH. Too many ideas!

Thanks for the tips @twobluechickens. I’ll check those out. I thought sewing was getting more popular amongst men, so have been a bit surprised about how poorly they’re catered for.

@CrimsonAlligator That's incredible! Looks like will be a fantastic addition to your wardrobe.

That is rather lovely, @CrimsonAlligator and I really like your fabric.

@CrimsonAlligator That shirt looks so beautifully made!

Thanks all. Fabric is a needle cord, so I finally managed to sew myself the cord shirt that popped up in my mind the day I took up sewing…quite a few years ago!

In my mind it was always a brown shirt, but DH talked me out of that - “If you can have any colour, why on earth would you choose brown?!” He might have had a point, but I can’t guarantee I won’t still make that brown shirt eventually!

I'm twitching over the atelier brunette dandy velvet. It's just a textured cord rather than velvet but I got sample of the green one sent with an order and it's gorgeous.