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

I made the lovenotions pianoforte pinafore before Christmas. I raised the centre front by about an inch, and added an inch on the bottom to make it more dress length. A pretty easy make.

Very nice @kittykarateand pockets too! 😍 What type of fabric did you use?
I only really wear dresses in winter, but never sure what fabric to use for those that’s warm enough. Only dress I’ve made so far is stretch denim, which is great but there is -sadly- a limit to how many denim dresses I need.

@50IsTheNew21 welcome to the thread! Those are exciting projects.

@ClearHoldBuild that fabric looks fairly thick to me. If so, a simple dress may work better than trousers. Not sure on pattern suggestions though as I don’t make a lot of dresses.

My retro corduroy has arrived - it screams 70s and/or geography teacher, which I really like! I won’t use it until much later this year when I’ve hopefully honed my jacket making skills. First step towards that is the Friday Pattern Company’s Heather blazer, which I’m planning to start this week. I’m expecting jackets to be difficult, so a jacket that doesn’t require much fitting seemed like a sensible start?!

@CrimsonAlligator That is a fab jacket to work on your skills. What colour/fabric are you hoping to use?

@CrimsonAlligator it's made with pinwale corduroy that I got from poundametre, it's not too heavy, so maybe not warm enough for you (I've been digging out my thermal leggings to wear with it).

I think other than cord and denim, I'd be looking at scuba or ponte roma (assuming knit pattern in your list) for warmish winter dresses.

I love a pinafore @kittykarate 😻 looks lovely

@50IsTheNew21 I’m planning to use this cotton drill and line the body with poplin and the sleeves with the usual slippery shiny stuff.

https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/grouped/deadstock-cotton-drill-plum.html?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-jk9eqPR-OoqPX_H7sAkvuXXcHd&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4tPVrtzmigMVqJRQBh39IxIsEAQYASABEgLy2fD_BwE

Thanks for the suggestions @kittykarate. Scuba is one of those fabrics that’s not really on my radar. I think it’s the name. It just makes me think it’s for diving garments only! Pretty sure I’ve seen it in Abakhan before, so will have a proper look the next time I’m there

The colour of that is lush, @CrimsonAlligator what's the weight like?

It’s 260 gsm, so towards the heavier end of medium weight @PickAChew. Useful for lots of things I’d imagine.

Hi. Hope I can join. Got a burst of enthusiasm a few weeks ago and, after not sewing for years, made about 6 oversized summer tops (I’m in Oz) by cutting round an existing top and guessing. This is the latest, with French seams. Having devoured this thread and the one on S&B I’ve bought about 6 patterns and am planning some more ambitious projects.

Forgot photo!

Welcome @Heavybuthopeful and OMG I love that fabric. All my favourite shades in one. There’s something really satisfying about replicating a favourite item - I’ve made several versions of my favourite ever tank.

I seem to have swapped actually sewing with scouring the web for new patterns. Luckily it seems that most are for cold weather and that’s not something I tend to make so my bank account hasn’t been ruined.

I fell over and bashed my knee last week so it also goes beautifully well with the bruises down my leg :).

Welcome to the thread @Heavybuthopeful. Love the top. Such great colours as jins said.

Ouch ouch ouch@Heavybuthopeful I did the same a few months back. They're all my favourite colours, too, though you wouldn't think so to look at my fabric and scraps stash because it's so hard to find good purples.

@PickAChew I’ve now received the drill fabric you were asking about and I’m revising my answer!

First of all, the colour is a bit different to what’s shown online - lighter, but not brighter. It looks like the kind of colour Farrow & Ball would come up with tbh - classy, but not a strong dark purple. I’ve attached a photo

The fabric also has a much softer handle than I was expecting. It would make a nice pair of trousers, skirts with a little bit of structure (e.g. Closet Core Fiore) or a shift dress.

I’m quite taken with it tbh. I’m resisting the urge to put it on the “too good to sew with” pile. It WILL be cut into this weekend 😂

Now I like that even more, @CrimsonAlligator - I have a couple of pieces of drill that have turned out heavier and stiffer than I hoped for. Fine for bags or even a jacket but not for trousers. I like to be able to move!

Well now I’m tempted by the drill (that I do not need) too. Going to sit on my hands I think.

Anyone seen any patterns for a dolman/batwing sweater? Am looking at the Fibre Mood Elaine because I like the neckline - want something a bit more feminine than your standard sweatshirt. Also debated a cardigan.

I think Ellie and Mac have a dolman top

Have you seen this one @twobluechickens ? https://shop.fibremood.com/en/product/643-leona-sweater-pdf?_gl=1547yga_upMQ.._gsMQ.._gaMzMwNjcxNDE4LjE3MzY1ODQzNDE._ga_6J51PMXEPF*MTczNjU4NDMzOC4xLjEuMTczNjU4NDQyMS4wLjAuNzI5MDk5Mzcz&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyoi8BhDvARIsAO_CDsAcDEaCIoOtqtveIRiiuZCPEuTuF-02VidCLKW2IrBFCDB2AageVGMaAoL5EALw_wcB I made it the other year and I think it has a bit of an 80s vibe.

Everyone has been busy
@twobluechickens - as above Ellie and Mac have various patterns for dolma/batwing tops with different necklines - this one is a true batwing , but lots of others to choose from
https://www.ellieandmac.com/products/high-hopes-dolman-pattern?_pos=6&_sid=aa194a72b&_ss=r
@toyotatallula again , Ellie and Mac have such an immense range of dress patterns , most go up to size 26 , and some bigger too .

I have been catching up on my to do list too - the dress for my DD for Christmas turned out well , and she was delighted . I have used up material in my stash for tunics and fleecy leggings for my twin granddaughters .
I did succumb to buying last week - popped to my ( almost local ) shop which is relocating , and they had a clearance shop … well , it was inevitable really ! I am going to spend a bit of time doing some cutting out - ( I make things for my favourite little charity , and their Spring Craft sale is coming up ) . Then onto more warm leggings for the twins .

Well yes @bookbook, buying more fabric is inevitable in those circumstances! Those leggings are so cute. I’d have LOVED that fox print as a child.

@twobluechickens this isn’t what you asked for, but sharing it as it does seem to fit the brief in terms of being a slightly more feminine version of a sweatshirt:

https://maison-fauve.co.uk/products/granite-sweatshirt-paper-sewing-pattern?_pos=1&_sid=09b9e4bd7&_ss=r

Excellent suggestions all - many thanks!

Going through my downloaded patterns today and I’ve found that I’ve bought quite a few Ellie and Mac patterns in the weekly sale but I’ve only ever made one - the waverider rash vest. I’ve got the swimsuit from that pattern lined up for this year but I really ought to make more effort and try a few more.

My aim to drop a few pounds isn’t going to plan and I’m really missing sewing. I’m still waiting for my curtain lining fabric to turn up 😡 so don’t want to start the curtains so I’ll probably make a T-shirt and hope that scratches the itch