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

I didn't tell you about that bit.... 😝😂

iv been looking to sort our back room for over a year, not really knowing what to do. Some ikea furniture came up on marketplace which they were practically giving away. Made good progress, done for today with the first shelf of my stash sorted. I’ve imposed a fabric ban until next year 🤣

Good work! Always glad to see someone with more fabric than me 😂

Nice stash @ClearHoldBuild. I’m in denial about my stash size so it’s all filed away in storage boxes on a kallax unit. I do love seeing lovely fabrics in full view though.

I did a bit more research into basic jeans patterns and found one I’d bought years ago on my hard drive. I’ve had it printed and the individual pieces look much better. There is a huge 3 inch difference between the rear rise on both patterns. I didn’t get much help on the LN Facebook group - they were more focused on the fact that I hadn’t put the front pocket or yoke on my test version than the fact that even without doing so the rear rise was too high. 🤣. I was also told that I didn’t need to size down when it was blatantly obvious that I did need to. Some of my most made patterns are LN but I’ve not had much success with the fitted styles. The bust darts and waistlines are always way too high for me (and if I’m honest most of their testers as well)

I fancied making something a bit different this weekend so I’m trialling the Gaia by Sinclair in some lurid camo print soft Lycra. As it’s just to test the fit I’m using FOE for the binding but for the real deal I’ll use the same fabric. I’ve got quite a lot of athletic knit which will be perfect for it.

I don’t have a consistent fit, or therefore success with LN. I get on better with Cashmerette, Waves & Wild and Helen’s Closet.

Merchant & Mills seem to be a good fit for me generally. Megan Nielsen best for jeans as she drafts for 5’10 I think.

My best results are with Jalie patterns - but the downside is that you have to do all the thinking around adjustments (FBA etc). Love Notions sucker you in with their built in FBA, but I don't think their bust is my bust!

True Bias and Sinclair are the best fit for me on the whole. I have a couple of LN patterns that really work for me, rhapsody, allegro, forte, but others I’ve tried have been a pain. They do tend towards being a bit frumpy as well although I’m hardly at the cutting edge myself.

I’ve recently tried Ellie & Mac and I’m about to bite the bullet and try itch to stitch. Both were ok but stretch is more forgiving. The jeans I’m attempting are from Winter wear designs. I’d forgotten about Jalie so I’m off for a nose

I have quite narrow (though square) shoulders and find that cashmerette and M&M work best for me, there. Bottoms are a different story. I've given up on cashmerette because so much adjustment is needed (that rabbit arse, again) that the end product looks awful and still doesn't fit. I've had the most success there with closet core.

I made a toile of the Helen's Closet Falconer pants, a couple of months ago, and it's going to need so much work that I couldn't face it. My last pants failure has clobbered my sewjo, somewhat.

Ooh great tip there @PickAChew as I am also blessed with a rabbit arse. I don’t think I’ve ever bought a closet core pattern.

On the basis that Sinclair Poppy pants fit first time with no adjustments I’ve just bought the Metro pull on jeans pattern. It was a toss up between that and the jeggings pattern.

Sew-Jo has evaporated- despite a new machine last week. I have so much I want to sew but just can’t get on, even with familiar patterns.

Any tips to recover it?

Don't force it, @WWomble - I've been doing some hand embroidery instead (long abandoned because I thought my hands would struggle but they don't so long as I stab my stitches) and cutting out a few knit patterns, here and there, to stick in my when I can be arsed drawer. It means that when the urge does hit, I can just get on with it.

I made a hooded dress from Simplicity 8790 - nice enough pattern, but the sizing is a bit weird, definitely need to size down. I double doomed the project by using some cheap jersey from pound a metre which was quite badly behaved.

The pocket position is a bit weird too, I'd need to shorten the body by about 2 inches to get them to be positioned somewhere useful.

Anyway, it's a new nightie!

All sorted, I sometimes just open the door when I’m passing to look at it 😍 My mum said (in the way only a mother can) oh, it’s surprising how much there is. Fabric is my only vice.

Ooh, very nice.

Of course, you will have to unroll it to pet it every once in a while - and to stop it from getting fade lines.

I haven't posted on here in a while - life has been a bit hectic .
I thought I would just flag up to those who have used Waves and Wild patterns ( formerly Made By Jacks Mum ) that iy is closing down , and if you have any patterns that need downloading , or were thinking of buying , then it shuts down on November 7th .
I am so sad really , but I tend to use the same patterns over and over , and haven't really bought any over the last couple of years . This popped up this morning , and it crashed the website !
I have been busy sewing though - but mostly things for a Christmas craft sale on Woolly Hugs ( bags basically , of varying designs ) But also managed to sew a pair of pjs for my DGS , he prefers them to shop bought 😀

Thanks for that @bookbook, I do have a couple of their patterns, I’ll check they’re downloaded.

That’s sad news. I’ve made a couple of W&W patterns. The Superstar bra pattern is a favourite and I quite liked the Kinjarling dress. I’ll definitely check I’ve downloaded everything, not sure I need any other patterns but I’ll probably end up buying some. Most of it is stuff I don’t really wear IIRC but it’s going to leave a gap in the childrenswear market.

No sewing yet but I’ve cut out and basted some very short shorts from the real deal jeans pattern and it looks hopeful.

Yes , they are patterns I use again and again - the sandcastle bucket hat , the beachcomber and hot chocolate/coffee in every hood/neckline/cowl , the raglan t shirt , the over it alls - all used for grandchildren and friends children . The patterns are all reduced if you are tempted too !

MBJM(as was) Beachcomber was the pattern that got me sewing! I will miss them for their reliability and the confidence they’ve given me.

I am sad they are going too, I love the beachcomber and the heydays

It's such a shame though I'm sure she has her reasons.

I couldn't get onto the site, earlier and was kicking myself for missing out on the Superstar bra pattern but someone pointed me to The Fold Line where W&W patterns are being sold at £2.50 so all is good.

Thanks for that tip about the Fold Line@PickAChew - just bought a few kids’ things and the Superstar bra (which will work well as a bikini top too).

Superstar bra makes an excellent bikini top. It’s one of my favourite patterns

I managed to download the files for the patterns I’d already bought and ended up buying Heydays, Summer Breeze and Stephanotis as well. I’m not ruling out buying more at this stage but realistically I already have similar patterns in my stash so don’t need to.

I’m finding it a bit of a shock actually. I can totally understand why running a design based business can stop being fun quite quickly and I have no clue about associated costs but shutting the door on some really successful patterns seems strange.

Oh well, let’s hope it isn’t contagious