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 am part way through making the Elaine at the moment - I am loving how it is looking. I have previously sewn the Banff dolman top from Sew News (but without the two tone effect).

Thanks @DiggoryVenn that’s helpful. I think I might give it a try!

I’ve just finished it - nothing like a spell of cold weather to spur on sewing something warm! I’m actually really pleased with the colour contrast band.

you're all so productive on the clothes front. I am slowly working my way through my to-do list, and have made a couple of patchwork cushion covers so far (i need to make new because i made Christmas Print covers - that is my excuse and I'm sticking to it.) Today i made a cushion cover for one of my daughter's flatmates from an old fluffy jumper. Quite pleased how it turned out.

I haven't done any normal sewing but made this giant cake for someone to burst out of for a stage show:

that's excellent!

Looks fantastic! Exactly what I’m after.

Some lovely things there 😍

All I did at the weekend is cut out the Heather blazer and ponder whether knit interfacing is really essential for the lapels. The pattern claims it is, but surely some other thin interfacing would also be effective in ensuring the lapels are not too firm?!

@kittykarate I am getting very tempted by that lovenotions pinafore - am I right in thinking you’ve made the Helens Closet York before? If so how do they compare?
I like the York but ideally I’d like something more fitted, with more shaping to wear for work.

Unfortunately I haven't made the York, so I can't compare really. I'd say that I'd like a tadge more shaping on the piano forte.

Bit of a busy weekend but I did manage to wash my fabric, realised that I had not ordered enough knit fabric for waistband (not sure what I was thinking when I ordered it) re-ordered more and traced the bomber jacket pattern.

I should be able to at least start cutting out this coming weekend as I do not think I need to alter the pattern. This is a bit of a test run for me before I use the 'nice' fabric. I figure once I have the measurements correct, it will be a much faster sew and it is a pattern a would like to reuse.

One thing I have learned about sewing is patience is the key!

@OperationalSupport I have made The Assembly Line Apron dress before which is a pinafore and is quite shaped. My only regret is deciding it was too long and lopping too much off the length.

Just cut out most of another McCalls M7360 ahead of sewing club tomorrow night. I’m using a brushed flannel from my stash and despite my best efforts it’s moved around while cutting so all the lines are wonky. Oh well. It’ll be nice and cosy regardless!

I had a similar issue recently with tartan brushed cotton. I ended up drawing a grid on a roll of paper and pinning the fabric to it, lining up the checks with the grid

This is also a tartan! I cut it out on a gridded cutting mat but still it shifted 😩

@twobluechickens it wasn't from pound fabrics was it? Mine is lovely and comfortable to wear (it became PJs for me and DS) but so completely lacking in structure the cutting out took hours

No, it’s from my local fabric shop but it wasn’t expensive. It’s very soft so should at least drape nicely. I also have some Robert Kaufmann flannel in my stash that is much more stable and so should be easier to cut out!

That’s a great tip!

@CrimsonAlligator the Heather blazer will be one of my next sews. I’m going to just use whatever interfacing I have in the cupboard! Probably a light to medium weight.

@Mygreyhair I’ve gone rogue and got rid of most of the interfacing.

I want the jacket to be soft, but also have some body, so I’ve interlined with a mid weight muslin instead. As this is my first ever “tailored” jacket, I’m really just mucking around and seeing what happens 😊

My curtain lining has arrived so I’ve been calculating sizes today. I bought some cheap sheeting from poundametre on the basis that they can’t really make a mess of white sheeting and it’s perfect. Obviously I ended up adding more fabric (that I don’t need) to the order and that’s really good as well.

I got 3m of pale grey viscose jersey. This is actually more like a sweater knit and I’ll definitely be making a cardigan or two. The black and nude viscose jersey is definitely black but more mauve than nude and I really like it. Good 4 way stretch and good recovery. Finally the floral viscose is more like a viscose twil. Quite heavy and drapey and I’ll be replacing some summer trousers with it. £3 each for the two jerseys and £6 for the viscose. 9m of fabric I’m pleased with for £12 - can’t complain.

I’m enjoying the project discussion and really impressed with what’s being made. I used to make quite a lot of fitted jackets/suits when they were essential workwear decades ago but haven’t even thought about making one for years.

That’s a great haul @Jins

I know what you mean about fitted jackets. When I last wore a jacket at work a few weeks ago, everyone assumed I had an interview. It wasn’t even a particularly smart jacket, but clearly fitted jackets are becoming an increasingly rare sight (at least where I live/work)

Oh @CrimsonAlligator I love that purple fabric!

I've done no sewing in months, but in my defence I have been knitting and crocheting from stash, and have used up two massive balls of Aran yarn that had been languishing for ages.

Thoughts are turning to sewing though, specifically a fleece / hoodie for DS in some Star Wars fabric.

i love a good fitted jacket, but i have a very very large chest so don't get them often.

(years ago when i worked in a relatively toxic workplace, every now and again i wore a suit to work and spent all day saying things like "don't forget, i need to leave spot on time today". Huge panic ensued)

I love makng tailored jackets. To see the 3 dimensional jacket take shape from the 2 dimensional flat fabric, and to make it with the appropriate interlining, stiffenings and linings, so that it holds its shape, is a joy. And it's a sure fire way to make any other clothes you're wearing look smart!