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

The lurex jersey sounds lovely, I do love jersey. But slinky lurex sounds tricksy to sew maybe?
Have you a rough idea of the kind of top?

Welcome @MO0N. It’s always good to see more people joining. Good work on repurposing fabric as well! I have a hefty stash of fabric to re-use but strangely I keep buying more. Every New Year I resolve to stash bust and every year I end up buying more.

I’ve done very little sewing in the last week or so. I’ve used up two lengths from a mystery box for T-shirts with elbow length sleeves and I’ve dug out some heavyweight jerseys to see if I feel inspired. I don’t so my thoughts have turned to party wear. I’m still hunting down the perfect stretch denim but it’s eluding me.

Warm trousers are still on the agenda and I need to make more bras. One will be a superstar and the other my favourite Barrett. I’m also going to batch sew some pants out of some gorgeous cotton Lycra that is too see through for a top.

I need to turn a tshirt into pants. Maybe two tshirts into three pairs of pants... I made the tshirts so I am feeling doubly good abkut this plan, I just have to find time to do it! One tshirt has a stain down the front (bleach) and the other just doesn't suit me although I love the fabric.

Next on the list are two handbags a christmas presents. Not sure i will have the time but won't know until I start.

And then I really want to make something with fabric in my stash but I have decision paralysis. Dress? But I have loads. Top? Want to try a new pattern but don't know what one.

Oh, and a cardigan.

And some jeans.

Not much then 😂

i have to make fabric gift bags. We're making an advent calendar (24 random things, including bottles of beer) for my DH so i need to get cracking.

Also making some stockings for a friend, which is a great way to use up some of my massive christmas fabric stash.

Then i need to crack on with some more christmas fabric cushion covers.

I made a curtain for my PILs, they have a small window that has a moth eaten curtain so I measured it last time I was there and made a new one to replace it next time I visit.

welcome MOON
I have been snowed under with other stuff , but I have made time to make a slouchy sweatshirt for my DD1 from a pattern by Ellie and Mac - the High Hopes Dolman . She wanted it really loose to pop on over her gym gear . It was truly enormous , but thats the joy of making your own . She popped it on inside out , I pinned a new seam and away I went .
Next on the list is play cloaks for my twin granddaugters using the storyteller cape on Waves and Wild . I cheated and bought a cheap fleece blanket to use .
I also have 2 peg bags to make , and then its the Ellie and Mac cubik bag ( think this one Jins has already tried out )
I went to the Knit and Stitch show at Harrogate yesterday , I didn't need much - just the zips by the meter , lining for the cloaks . But ....who can resist . It was lovely , very busy and a good mix of sellers too , my purse is a bit lighter !

Was it worth it @bookbook I am going tomorrow! I am finishing off a cropped jacket in needlecord then have a couple of jersey tops and some Christmas crackers to make before Christmas

It really was @Frumpyunicorn more choice I felt than last year , and a bit more yarn ( I did treat myself to a skein if merino/silk to make myself something - I told DH he had bought me something for Christmas )
I was very tempted to buy a kit to do a Shakshito ( ? ) panel , but sensible me realised it may have to wait a long time in the to - do list . It was heaving first thing , but thinned out so I could have a proper browse after I had some lunch

@Frumpyunicornchristmas crackers, I have seen lots of videos but not committed to making any. Do you use a pattern or video you could share?
I am sewing Christmas themed sailor bows for the hounds in the family.

This is the pattern I use https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1071766898/wonder-cracker-pdf-sewing-pattern-stitch?sh_rv=1&ref=shop_home_active_8&bes=1&sts=1&dd=1&logging_key=158a8f2f95c9b0fb838155bc20dfffdf8bd111be%3A1071766898 it was a bit fiddly but the ones I made last year turned out well

Thanks @bookbook I am really looking forward to it

I've done the overlocking and pinning phase of my gift bags, so just need to do the straight stitching.

I keep looking at making crackers but I'm never organised enough.

@Frumpyunicornthank you, they look really good so have purchased. I would like some in fancy Liberty fabric.

Two tops, a pair of trousers and pyjamas cut out ready to sew. Got a couple of other tops to cut out tomorrow and a pair of jeans. Debating another quilted jacket too. That should keep me going for a fair while!

I've taken to sewing in batches since DS2 has left school - he's only at college 3 days a week. My latest batch is joggers and a couple of sweatshirts. I've adjusted the CC Mile End in the hope of the front hem no longer being 4" higher than the back - mostly at the shoulders, though I've also tweaked the hemline. I've re-traced the Plateau joggers a size smaller and I've traced off the Mason Fauve Ressac sweater. Fabric is washed and ready to go next time I get the physical space and head space to cut out.

On days with more interruptions, I've been embroidering. I've been working on a couple of pincushions from Simply Stitched with wool and I'm gathering supplies for some simple felt decorations from a corrie Lapierre book. I'm also quite taken by the reindeer on the cover of this month's love embroidery.
Simply Stitched with Wool - Yumiko Higuchi — Loop Knitting https://share.google/eeKsmkqlswA9lv0lq

Festive Felt Decorations by Corinne Lapierre – Beyond Measure https://share.google/egvtRiYtTsHJeed06

I also took a free motion embroidery class, at the weekend. I didn't leave with much to show for it but I no longer have The Fear and I learned that I just need to put my foot down and go for it!

Waves & Wild launched a cracker pattern just before they announced the closure, I think it was free at launch, not sure if it is now.

My local fabric store had some nice fabric, holly print for the main fabric and navy spots for the lining.
I see the Wave and Wilds site have a pattern for a crown so might use that rather than paper hats.

Yes @bookbook, I made the cubic bag and someone else did as well. It’s such a useful bag for travelling - I load all my bedside table crap into it and it’s ready to go. Mine was a bit of a mess though and flops a bit so I’ve promised myself I’ll make another, thanks for the reminder.

Nothing to report this week except another addition to my stash from a fabric shop I’ve never heard of before - fiver fabric. I’ve picked up some water resistant fabric and some random stretch fabric so looking forward to seeing what sort of quality I get.

Away at the moment but heading home today full of enthusiasm to do something with the stash

Currently waiting for some fabric to arrive to make a couple of the Friday pattern co garment bags. I’m also making a puffed quilt for a December birthday. If I can do a row a day I will get it finished in time. Happy with progress so far.

It was me @Jins I made it after seeing yours. I love the quilt @ClearHoldBuild . I have been making the sew over it Farley shacket and really enjoyed it.

Thanks for the reminder @Frumpyunicorn. Yours came out rather better than mine IIRC.

Fastest project ever today - 5oo4 candy yoga pants. Pattern here

i found some rather dubious thick grey jersey with a dark stripe in my stash and threw a pair of these together in just over half an hour. Two pieces plus waistband and I took my time with the waistband and used elastic in case the fabric wasn’t firm enough. Also put some buttonholes in for a drawstring but that’s not needed so I’ve just put a fake one in for now. I’m not sure about the leg shape, will probably taper the next pair. Very versatile pattern, lots of colour blocking opportunities

ooh , those leggings look good Jins . I have some stretch denim waiting to be used - I wonder if I could use that - may see what the % stretch is

I’ve been working on two Wardrobe By Me boatneck tops in jersey. Tried the woven bias binding again but gave up when it just wouldn’t work and have instead drafted a facing, which sits so much better. I think the binding might work better if it was narrower (say 0.5”) but the pattern piece is for 1” binding and it just won’t stretch enough. Perhaps I’m doing something wrong but meh.

Are you making sure you don't stretch the binding when you first apply it to the neckline?

I think so! But maybe I am a bit. It’s fine on the less-curved bits but the shoulder area is too tight a curve for the binding. I kind of prefer the look with the facing though.