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

Very nice @kittykarate ! The fabric requirements are the main thing that’s put me off making one so far, so good to know those estimates are generous.

I’ve almost finished a Donny shirt, but decided to stop as I really don’t like how visible my overlocker thread is. I can see it through the right side of the fabric! I’m going to cut out a 2nd shirt while I wait for some orange (!) overlocker thread to arrive for the 1st one.

Lovely top @kittykarate. I’ve looked at that pattern a few times now, maybe it’s time to buy it. Although I’ve bought so many patterns during my self imposed ban on sewing clothes i probably shouldn’t at the moment!

Still on curtains here. I’ve got two hanging over the bannister ready for the next step which will be to tack the sides in place then put them on the curtain rail to do the bottom hems. I’m so bored and totally fed up of wrangling the weight of curtains and linings. The family are starting to joke about it - I can do a dress in a morning but two curtains have taken weeks and still aren’t finished.

Popped into Abakhan yesterday for some fusible fleece and left with a metre of black PU that looks very much like canvas. It’s going to be a messenger bag or similar eventually. Very restrained for me though and there were some gorgeous fabrics in the bins

So I gave up and bought the stuff elsewhere. Just emailed the company again, this time asking for a refund and telling them that it’s a shabby way to treat their customers. Lo and behold 10 mins later I get an email apologising for the delay, saying that they are waiting for some items to come back in stock. Items that were supposedly in stock when I placed the order, otherwise why would I have ordered? Anyway, have asked them to cancel and refund or I’ll open a dispute on PayPal. I understand that small businesses are struggling, but sending an email is free, and had they just let me know straight away that the items weren’t in stock I would have been happy to wait (within reason).

It's common courtesy to let you know if there is a delay! I did big order from barnyarns a couple of weeks ago and a couple of items were on back order. They phoned me up to check that I would be OK to wait or would I rather have a refund. I've had similar good service from cotton patch, sew me sunshine and jaycotts.

Exactly! But going on their reviews, this seems to be how they operate - they only order the stuff when an order comes in despite the items being ’in stock’ on the website. An odd way to operate but even more so if you don’t immediately tell the customer that the items aren’t in stock and then don’t answer emails. Feels borderline fraudulent to me.

That is frustrating @twobluechickens I am lucky to have a couple of small haberdashery and sewing shops near me, they don't really stock dress fabric but I can get things like fleece, batting and interfacing and bits and bobs like zips which is helpful.

I haven't made much progress this week. I am thinking of quilting my fabric for my cubic bag before cutting, then adding interfacing to make it hold its shape a bit more easily. And I have washed the fabric for my cuff dress but not cut it yet.

@Frumpyunicorn the squishiness of my cubic bag was bugging me so I vaguely folded it into shape then ran a tiny seam down the edge. It’s still a bit wonky but it’s staying in shape better. I’m still on my test version, trying to decide how to get mine to look like the tester pics.

I used a random oddment of upholstery fabric for my test one but it’s still quite floppy, even with the fusible fleece.

That is such a good idea @jins, I will try that as well as the quilting and report back!

I can see lots of Claudia bags in my life so any tips to improve it are very welcome. 😆

DH was completely bemused by my enthusiasm for this project until he saw the final misshapen object in action and now he wants one for his holiday as well. It’s just so clever when it opens into a tray

Is there any interfacing used in that pattern @Jins?

I recently made a bag using Vilene S520. It’s weird stuff, a bit like the stuff you get in plastic folders. It would definitely give those bags structure.

https://www.minerva.com/mp/GBP/1/2V520-30-M

Edited to add: I think some of the reviewers have tagged the wrong project. I can’t imagine how you would use it in dressmaking. The bag reviews give a better idea of what it does.

There is interfacing @CrimsonAlligator and fusible foam or fleece. Interfacing the lining is optional.

Thanks for the tip - I’ll put an order in

Picture of the bag in question (Noodlehead Redwood Tote)

The extra firm interfacing was only used for the bottom…which you can’t see on the picture, so it’s a bit useless really. But hopefully you can see how the bottom is holding shape even with a fair few things in the bag.

This was a really nice pattern to make. I wasn’t paying a lot of attention when cutting out and managed to somehow cut most pieces the wrong size. That was a me problem though. The pattern itself couldn’t have been clearer!

That’s a really nice bag! I’m planning on making a few bags after the curtains are finished and that looks a really useful size.

You’re being quite the enabler @CrimsonAlligator

@Jins sewing the additional seams really helps thank you (I did all three edge seams) but I feel it is the weight of the zip dragging the front down a bit. I have run out of fleece to test a quilted version but will let you know when it is done

I love the bag @CrimsonAlligator I am doing a free noodlehead pattern at the moment. I really want to do the oxbow tote bit don't have enough hours in the day!

I am going to pick my machine up on Saturday and I think I will be getting an overlocker too

That doesn’t look too bad at all @Frumpyunicorn. Much better than mine which won’t be photographed.

I wonder if the fusible foam makes the difference. I’ll have a go with the Vilene S520 when it arrives as that looks as if it’ll do the trick quite well and if not I’ll make do with misshapen bags as fusible foam is a bit too spendy for me.

I love your bag, @CrimsonAlligator ! I've been fancying making a bag, I'll take a look at Noodlehead patterns.

I haven't sewn much at all lately. Life has just been too busy, including an imminent house move, so I'm living vicariously through you lot.

Once the move is over with, I'm making a concerted effort to simplify my life, and not commit to so much that I don't have time to do what I enjoy.

Lovely top 😍 I do love a polka dot

I had an impulsive moment yesterday. Signed up to the Sew Confident subscription box. Missed February so my first delivery will be March.

Finally finished my Elaine sweater. Mucked up the neck slit but have done a bit of a fix and sod it, it’s done. Very pleased, it will be great for spring and summer. Next plan is the Jalie Alex now I’ve frankensteined the sleeve pieces from remnants.

Always happy to enable @jins 😉

Very sensible to simplify @Castlerigg. Hope things settle down for you soon. I’ve been dealing with a recent period of stress (risk of redundancy) by sewing like a person possessed, making endless mistakes.

On the plus side, I did use some of that nervous energy to make myself a fetching interview outfit (Heather blazer, Mitchell trousers and Scout tee) and got myself a new job 😥

@CrimsonAlligator sorry to hear you’re at risk of redundancy. I’m also dealing with work-related stress by sewing all the things - am likely to be signed off next week and will be distracting myself by cutting out some new projects.

I’m sorry work related stress is getting to you too @twobluechickens. It’s just so draining. Hopefully a week of recuperation & sewing will help you 🤗

Gosh , it seems a very long time since I have posted on here , life just keeps getting in the way of seeing !
I have that cubic bag pattern from Ellie and Mac , its on my ‘try out sometime ‘ list , so its good to get tips . At the knit and stitch show I went to before Christmas , I bought some fusible foam for a more rigid feel to some of my bags that I make . Stupidly forgot to write on the bag what it is called ( I bought it off a big roll ) . I have just cut out this pattern - I made one for my Dd1 a couple of years sho , and a friend admired it . It takes s lot of material( as well as being lined) but found a bargain in my local Oxfam shop . I unpicked and washed it yesterday. I have enough to either make another one 😊

@twobluechickens I’m loving the transformation of Frankenstein into a verb!

Sorry to hear people are dealing with work stress.

I’d intended to try making a Remy Raglan from scraps today, but the weather is so lovely that it seemed a waste to stay in. Maybe next weekend!

I’ve just found Cris Wood. Nearly finished making the Juniper dress for my holiday, just need to hem it (thread ran out so I’m waiting for a new reel) and then I’m going to make a shorter version of the Daydream dress. Very interesting way to make a pattern.