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

They’re amazing @InMySpareTime !

My luck was in and Chester Abakhan now closes on Sundays 🤣

Those mushrooms are very effective!

Thanks.

T&B sell patterns on their website and often advertise 20% off which just about makes up for the postage.

Ok, I’ve gone a bit mushroom-obsessed now, I should stop but they’re so pretty!

Finally finished the April blouse. Thank you to @ClearHoldBuild
for the pattern.
It needs a press but I’m pretty happy with it.

April blouse

That’s really lovely, I need to get one made for myself!

It came together really nicely. The only change I made was to lengthen the peplum.
Thanks again for the pattern, it was much appreciated.

I’ve been sensible recently and I’m worried about myself🤣. Following on from the post where I said I should make trousers I’ve only gone and made trousers. I’ve measured everywhere at least twice, consulted the size chart endlessly and traced out a new set of Sinclair poppy pants pieces in the size I am nowadays. Made a toile from rather nasty linen look fabric that seemed to appear in my stash one day and they are perfect. Slightly too tapered at the ankle but that’s an easy fix.

Today I made a list of what I needed and trotted off to Abakhan. Not 100% successful as you have to make do with what’s in stock but I got 50mm elastic and navy blue swim Lycra which were on my list and substituted some sort of linen mix in navy for the chambray I wanted. No black 4 way stretch apart from Lycra so I got some dark grey instead. I didn’t even look at the viscose prints which is usually my downfall.

No time for sewing until Friday but I’m going to go for it this weekend all being well.

Almost finished my Sera pants (trousers!) and very pleased with them. Just the belt loops and buttonhole to do. Am hoping the buttonhole is easier than on jeans because I’ve used a thinner twill.

Lovely pintucks there @PrincessDonut ! You have more patience than me 😁

You need to view pintucks as less about patience and more about meditation.

I’m just not very good at precise work like that. I love the look though. I’ve only tried it on viscose, which some might say is a fool’s errand!

Hope it’s ok to push in here and ask…any recommendations for a fabric glue that will last through the washing machine? I’ve got a patch my son eats on some cotton trousers but it’s got a tough plastic backing that I just can’t push a needle through! So seems glue might be the answer

@raffles25 I’d use something like this (provided you can apply heat to the patch)

https://www.sewessential.co.uk/prym-textile-repair-powder?gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=226278503&gbraid=0AAAAADVGsM7lkFCfN-YUy6-n0Tr1Fq9g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIPev3rbRjwMVP5NQBh0bvDBzEAQYAyABEgKkQvDBwE

@raffles25 If you can apply heat , as CrimsonAlligator says - I use Bondaweb . Fabulous stuff - I have used it on DGS 's school trousrs to patch holes in knees , and they go through the wash on a very regular basis . It has glue on both sides , so sticks to material and patch IYSWIM ?

I agree with that @bookbook. It’s great stuff and probably easier to find in the shops.

I think the powder I linked to is made of the same thing. I find it a bit easier to use for irregular shaped, or round things, but I guess you can always cut the webbing stuff into smaller pieces too 🤔

We have a new puppy this week and taking her out in the car she needed more than the dog seatbelt to keep her confined. Some leftover foam and footstool fabric into a D shaped bed that will hopefully help her to stay in one place in the car.
Not the best fitting over the foam but it will do the job. The fabric has some fire retardant treatment on it, why is it always hard to sew with?

@Isabelle70 , who would even look at the sewing when there’s something this adorable in the photo?! Lovely puppy 😍

Oh my goodness 😍

@CrimsonAlligatorthank you 😄 she is very good and will play at my feet/play with the fabric scraps.

Hi, I've not posted for a while but really thinking I'd love to eventually build a wardrobe of clothing I've made myself. I've done a couple of Donny shirts a few other things, currently on a Helens Closet wrap top. It's easy to just keep doing more and more tops but I know I really need some trousers for work. I'm struggling to choose a pattern.
Major problem is that I cannot get the buttonhole to work right on my machine. (It's a 6 step buttonhole on a Bernina that was my mum's. It's about thirty years old, I love it, but am frustrated I can't get it right!) I've also never done a zip. I know these things need to be overcome!

I'd like an achievable pattern which is peg/tapered ankle grazing length. Preferably with pleats on the waistband at the front as I tend to find them more flattering than totally flat. The kind of shape that skims over and gives you room for movement without being very wide or baggy. I see a lot of barrel legs are popular now but I just can't see them suiting me, I'm 5'3" and anything very broad makes me feel even shorter and wider. I've looked at so many patterns online I've confused myself.
Merchant &Mills peg or eve has been suggested, but can't tell if they would just be more baggy/slouchy than I'm looking for for the office. Pietra don't have pleats but are clearly very popular. Megan Neilson Opal are possibly a bit too fussy. I just want 90s preppy dress trousers if that makes sense.
Can anyone offer a suggestion to a (mildly) confident beginner?

@SewliketosewI can’t help with recommendations, but wanted to post in sympathy about zips and button holes. Zips in particular are what hold me back from choosing certain patterns. I really should book onto a practical sewing course to learn how to do them properly. For buttons, I tend to hand sew them, because my machine is so temperamental. Once you’ve got them marked out, it’s quite relaxing to sit and sew them while watching something not too complicated on TV.

@Sewliketosew my first thought were the Pietra’s, but as you say those do not have pleats.

If you can conquer your fear of zips, Closet Core Mitchells are worth a look. There’s a tapered version, which may be what you’re looking for style wise?

The good thing with zips is you can practice! Just use some scrap fabric and a long stitch size and keep trying until you’re happy with your technique. Use a seam ripper to remove the zip between each try - zip tape is really sturdy so you can use the same zip for endless trial sessions.

I think I’m in the minority here, but zips have never been a problem for me. I usually baste them in place by hand, which takes no more than a minute or two. That way nothing shifts unexpectedly.

This was my introduction to zips. I think it’s still free and worth having a look through. I never made it past the first lesson as it taught me everything I needed to know at the time! It’s thorough 😊

https://www.craftsy.com/class/mastering-zipper-techniques?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=2336643&utm_source=ShareASale&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=2336643&utm_term=4307546&sscid=53203_1758367728_f3446c847cef229ff5b4baf7fd254e5a&awc=53203_1758367728_f3446c847cef229ff5b4baf7fd254e5a&sscid=53203_1758367728_f3446c847cef229ff5b4baf7fd254e5a