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

The holographic fabric is crying out to become cloaks for small children to be wizards or kings and queens in. Either that or a madcap pair of wide legged lounge trousers.

Love the Chinese style fabric and a kimono is the perfect suggestion.

Can anybody help me to find some decent leopard print viscose fabric for less than £10 a metre? I want better than market quality but not crazy money. Can’t find anything in the usual places I’d look.

https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/exotic-spots-viscose-print-brown.html?query=Leopard%20viscose

is this any good?

Thanks @OperationalSupport I looked at that one earlier, but rejected it because the colour looks a bit off.

Fabric Godmother has some Nerida Hansen leopard print in the sale section, not quite traditional colours but quite nice all the same!

Thanks for this - they are a bit too jolly for me though! I just want bog standard leopard print, I think.

I just heard that Barry's Fabric in Birmingham is closing down due to renovation of the local area, with no plans to reopen! 😔

Apparently there's one doubt about whether the markets will be remaining, too

And, let me guess, bars and student flats?

So sad, while those areas aren't upmarket, they are very authentic brum. Good people, lots of character etc.

It’s such a shame, I’ve only been there a few times but in-person fabric shops seem to be a rare resource. Barry’s had all kinds of things you don’t get at my local sewing shop (which is mainly aimed at quilting). Not that I need all manner of shiny dance fabrics, but they always had plenty 😂

Made a little romper for my niece, she’ll be two in June. After watching Hard Truths at the cinema on Monday I do agree with the main character about pockets.

@ClearHoldBuild that is so cute.

I’ve cut out the Fibremood Cleo dress pattern this evening - OMG, so many pieces! I don’t have the stamina to cut the fabric tonight. I’m sewing it in a cotton print which looks like a floral denim and I have bought some red D-rings for the belt.

That romper is very sweet @ClearHoldBuild

That romper is really cute @ClearHoldBuild .

I'm going to need a couple of blouses by the end of next month to wear on a cruise. I'm wavering between the LoveNotions Timbre peasant top or the Liesl and Co Verdun. Anyone tried either of these out?

I have the Verdun in my stash, but not made one yet @kittykarate, so I’m not much use there!

Do you know what fabric you’re planning to use yet? I recently made a few Scout tees, which is not massively different from the Verdun. I think that kind of pattern is really good for “making a fabric shine”, but could look a little boring in a plainer fabric. It all comes down to personal preference I guess, but just thought I’d share in case it helps with the decision making.

I’m looking enviously at all these plans for clothes. I’ve made a test version of the Claudia cubic bag, not entirely successfully and I’ve finally started on the bedroom curtains. I hate sewing curtains so much but it’s quite refreshing working with a good solid fabric that holds a crease. I was going to use the method where you stitch a narrower lining to the outer and flip it round but it’s just too big and heavy to wrangle. One down, 5 to go 🥲

I’m not hemming them until they’ve been hanging for a while and I can make sure they end up the same length.

I haven’t done any sewing for ages. Too tired tonight but maybe at the weekend.

Doing a bit of a mash up. Saw this on YouTube but don’t really want to spend £16 on a pattern right now. I found this free pattern on French Navy, the Orla dress. https://www.frenchnavypatterns.com/product-page/the-orla-dress-free-pdf-sewing-pattern and so I’m going to cut two pairs of the front, not on the fold and cut the back on the fold so that I can add a back neck facing and the one set of ties. Lengthen the sleeves a little and add some pockets. I sound like I know what I’m doing but I’m just seeing what happens because the pattern pieces are similar. I’m making a toile from some red and white striped cotton I was given and having cut out the pieces I am wondering am I brave enough to actually wear it in this fabric if it turns out ok. The process to attach the front bodice to the back is like nothing I’ve seen before. We’ll see if it works out or is a complete disaster

I have a free weekend, I have fabric, I have patterns. I have no distractions. Think I will make the most of it and have a mini dressmaking retreat.

I’ve been thinking about an orla dress for ages but I don’t like zips on my clothes so haven’t taken the plunge. I ought to try it at some point.

I just impulse bought some patterns from Winslets. I’ve never heard of them before but was sucked in by the buy two get three free offer. They’ll go on the list somewhere I guess.

Love the sound of your weekend @50IsTheNew21. I’ll still be wrangling curtains at the weekend but at least it’s sewing.

I travelled an hour to my sewing machine shop today to collect it from repair only to find they were closed. I have the fabric for a cuff dress so going to try and cut and prep it this week.

I was quite happy with my test version of the cub ic bag @Jins although it was very squishy, I will try a thicker interfacing next time.

That must have been so frustrating @Frumpyunicorn !

I am still waiting for my batting, which I ordered nearly a fortnight ago. Emailed the company on Weds to ask for an update and have had no response. Then checked their Google and Trustpilot reviews, only to find lots of people saying their orders hadn’t arrived and the company aren’t responding to emails or phone calls. Sigh. Time to try to get a refund from PayPal.

@Frumpyunicorn my Claudia bag is very usable and will be an essential part of my travel in future but it’s just not very cubic. Despite being very careful with cutting out and the zip going in better than I thought possible the whole thing just wants to twist. I’ve actually put a few lines of stitching on the ‘edges’ to give it a bit more structure. Squishy is definitely the right word though! I used fusible fleece rather than foam which possibly caused it. Will definitely be having another go though!

Curtains came to a stop when I smoothed them out and my thumb found a pin. By the time it had stopped bleeding and feeling bruised I found I couldn’t be bothered. Will be getting on with it today though and hope to get the first pair hanging so I can level the hems.

Started my Elaine sweater finally. Really enjoying it so far, a quick and easy sew. Also cut out a test version of the Jalie Alex so will do that next.

I made the Liesel and Co Verdun top today- will make again! Used some brushed cotton that I'd bought and ended up with short yardage (1.8m versus 3).

That looks like a very useful top. I love polka dots.