Stitch and bitch thread #11. Where the puns are only sew-sew

[NutellaEllaElla]

For sewists old and new. Join the fun, let us know what you're working on.
I apologise for not having been around at all. I've been away all footloose and fancy free but now i'm back and have NO NEED TO BUY NEW FABRIC. I must use what I have.

@PickAChew
@Hiddendoor
@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie
@OperationalSupport
@Daffyyellow
@ShoAndSew
@kittykarate
@RainbowWife
@GnomeDePlume
@Twobluechickens
@123ZYX
@BlackAmericanoNoSugar
@CrimsonAlligator
@Just4thisthreadtoday
@Frumpyunicorn
@Jins
@Lifesingflowers
@Yalz
@sewsewsewyourboat
@bookbook
@YellowAsteroid
@MarmiteWine
@Castlerigg
@IDareSay
@NotMeNoNo
@Toyotatallula
@Crispynoodle
@Hiddendoor
@Rosenspants
@TashaTudor
@InMySpareTime
@Isabelle70
@SpryCat
@Funnelfa
@OperationalSupport
@ChoccyJules
@Mygreyhair
@Marcipex
@DiggoryVenn
@ClearHoldBuild
@50IsTheNew21
@Heavybuthopeful
@HollyBerryz
@Chuchoter
@Placemats
@TorturedParentsDepartment
@PrincessDonut
@Shirtyllama

Stop it! I’ll have to go back and look …..

You know you want to.

My jumpsuit is cut out and ready to sew. I’d have started tonight but Sewing Bee took precedence.

I’ve not admitted it until now but last week I was buying some clearance fabrics from Knighton and a 10kg stretch mystery box seemed to slip into my basket for £15

It has just arrived in a massive box. The three I bought were spot on - even the 3m for 3p viscose elastane but the mystery box was spectacular. The shortest length is about 1.5m and the rest are between 2 and 3m. There’s only one I definitely won’t use (Xmas) but all the rest I can see me using. Highlights are the 3m swim fabric and the rust and black striped rib. The yellow is perfect for lining swimsuits. There’s some terry backed patterned ones - not sure what they’ll end up as.

So my stash is well and truly full and I’ve got an order from elsewhere on the way 🤦‍♀️

@Jins can you turn the Christmas fabric into gift bags and wrap stuff in them?

@InMySpareTime in theory I could but Christmas isn’t a thing chez Jins. We do the foodie stuff (and the drinking) on the 25th and household presents but that’s as far as it goes.

If I can be bothered and still have it in November I may make something for our neighbour’s toddler.

Poundametre order just arrived. Out of 5 items one is missing and one is incorrect.

I’ve just unsubscribed from emails. I’m too easily tempted by a bargain and they are a spectacularly shit firm when it comes to descriptions, packing, delivery etc. I’ve had some fabulous fabrics from them in the past (and some real duds) and haven’t ordered from them in ages but temptation got the better of me.

Another Luella skirt. I'm in love!

And now I need to learn how to do pattern matching!

That Luella skirt looks like the kind of thing I’m after @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie. Might have to go and find the pattern 😃

That fabric is such fun @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie. Perhaps I should diversify from my safe patterns of florals, stripes and spots.

I found a box of my old patterns at the weekend. Sadly my wedding dress pattern wasn’t there, nor were most of the pieces from the cut ones but a new look top pattern from the 90s is complete and I’m considering making it again. It wasn’t my best make last time round but I know a lot more about fitting nowadays so it could be fun.

It’s lovely. Really easy to sew, but just a bit more shaped than mere rectangles. I’m hooked!

@Jins Go for it!

i want to make some Linen napkins. I have fabric (it's an old IKEA curtain) but now the question: should i just overlock the edges (in matching or contrasting thread colour, rolled hem (on overlocker) the edges (in matching or contrasting thread colour, or hem them properly?

it's quite a loose weave so i worry that overlocking a rolled hem might be a bit heavy. But i am very lazy so actual hemming puts me off (even though it looks the best)

Hem. Lovely and crisp and precise. Lose yourself in the process. You won't regret it.

I would hem too

Napkins are traditionally hemmed with a decorative stitch, its a chance to use some of the less common ones on your sewing machine if you have them. Or using a wing needle to make a pattern of tiny eyelets. https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2010/05/07/how-to-hemstitch-by-machine

i was thinking of using a decorative stitch, each one in a different colour. But i have also realised that i can use facings instead of rolling over twice, and that will be a good way to stitch them down. So thanks all!

@Brefugee do post a picture when you’re done - I too am thinking about making napkins and am seeking inspiration.

I’m cutting out a white shirt, using the Fabrics Store Jade pattern I linked a few months ago. When I went to download the pattern last week I found that they are now charging $10 for their previously free patterns (fair enough I suppose) so I decided to keep looking. Anyway, I happened to search for the pattern on google again this morning and lo and behold the pattern PDF is the third or so result. Pattern downloaded for free! So if you were thinking of making it (or any of their other freebies), do a google search for the pattern name rather than looking for it on the FS website. It doesn’t seem to work for all of them but the majority are there 👀

it is very flimsy linen, but i watched a fab tutorial yesterday on doing mitred corners which is far neater (probably) than anything else i've seen. They may be a bit small (i have cut them out at 36cm) but, i think they will be fine for an afternoon tea! I will try one and come back...

I’ve just got one armhole binding and the hem to do but can I recommend SH7 Mississippi Avenue Dress as a quick, easy, summer dress. I got this out of just over 1.5m of leftover viscose. There wasn’t enough fabric to make bias facings so I used pre-made bias tape which is making the neckline a bit odd.

This is one of those dresses that looks like a sack on the hangar and transforms into the most flattering, tum skimming dress when on.

that looks like a lovely pattern. Can i ask? is that a bias facing on the neck? and is the elasticated part in a casing?

Yes it’s a bias facing. The neck piece is 4”x36” ish and it’s supposed to be folded in half to make the facing. The elasticated bit is in a casing that is made from the skirt and bodice seam and then the front piece is sewn on when you’re happy with the elastic. Very quick, the neck is probably the fiddliest bit. I’ll probably draft a proper facing for my next one

I hate a v-neck bias facing so i'd prpbably do a regular facing.

Prototype napkin is done

The napkin looks lovely @Brefugee