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.

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Tilda fabrics hare

that sounds brilliant!

welcome @Daisiesanddaffodils24 !

how about a tissue box cover??

Love the hare.

I think I’ll do fabric crackers or chocolate bags as these could be used again next year. Thanks for all the suggestions.

@Daisiesanddaffodils24 Love the hare. I also went to the Knit and Stitch show. Really enjoyable day, so much to see (and buy!).

Righty ho. I bought the W&W men's hoodie pattern. I am now in possession of a quantity of burnt orange fleece, and the necessary for making the wristbands and the bottom bit (what's that called?)

It is a bit of a faff for me to have to translate in my head from Aussie-English to English to German so i hope i have enough fabric.

Now i am thinking - personally i can't abide putting on a fleece over anything unless it's lined, and it will also make it warmer. So I'm thinking that i will line this fleecy-hoodie with jersey.

So, Oh-Knowledgeable-Ones, do you think the way to go is to cut the pieces out then overlock them together then sew the hoodie as if it is not lined? (easy way, and mostly done on overlocker). Or should i do it like a properly lined thing, and bring it all together to sew on the wristbands and the bottom bit? so most of the unfinished seams are on the inside and hidden.

I’d probably do it the easy way @Brefugee. Can’t see any advantage in lining a hoodie ‘properly’ and the seams would probably fight with each other.

I’ve taken on a nightmare task for a friend. I agreed to take up some trousers - easy - and then she asked if I could do anything about the waistband. Moving buttons won’t give enough room. Firstly I have to wonder why she didn’t buy the size up and secondly the fabric is polyester satin stuff which is fraying as I look at it. I’ve decided to whip the waistband off and replace the back with a Lycra half yoga waistband leaving the front with pockets and buttons intact. I do have the fear that I’ll be buying another one though.

Look at my new toy!!! Took a chance on a vintage Husqvana in a junk shop for a fiver and it works! He plugged it in to test it and it didn’t work but I knew and he didn’t that there was a bobbin in the bobbin winder which disabled the needle. Removed the bobbin at home and it works like a charm. Just need a new bobbin case for it. Anyone know if the universal ones fit?

oh a fiver!! excellent. No idea about the bobbin case tho.

A fiver! It looks great!

Welcome @Daisiesanddaffodils24 :) Your hare is lovely.

Indeed - it was so busy! I liked the sew along challenge. How those people can talk and sew at the same time is beyond me.

I’ve found a bobbin case in the box of stuff I got from MIL so today the husqvana will be coaxed into action.

Did I need it? No. I have my computerised Necchi, my old Toyota and a 1960s Singer that needs a new capacitor in the foot pedal. What I don’t have amongst the stable of machines is something with pressure adjustment, a big flat working area and a decent throat space. Those boxes have been ticked and it may look old and tired but it looks like a beast! I was a bit worried about how my Necchi would cope with the denim I got in my Poundametre bundle and now I don’t have to worry.

The denim bundle was a very pleasant surprise actually. 3 x 2m lengths of dark indigo denim (one may be black) with really nice grain and lovely weight. One of the lengths is very stretchy which was a bonus as PAM don’t list a stretch denim. That piece will become Sinclair metro ‘jeans’. The non-stretch ones are more uncertain. There’s enough for an E&M moto jacket. There may be enough for some heydays dungarees

So i have sent my W&W pattern to my local print shop to give it a try, EUR 12 per page is quite steep but i got the pattern in the sale so not so bad.

It looks like i may actually be sewing an item of clothing this month! (ok not for me, but it is a start back into it)

will love to hear how the Husqvana sews, @Jins

We might have to wait for a while on a Husqvana report as the bobbin case I found doesn’t fit and neither does the one from my Toyota. I daren’t go into Abakhan and they probably won’t have one anyway so I’ve ordered one. Nearly 4 times as much as the machine cost! I mean overall it’s still cheap but really!

Just added the Lycra rear waistband to the trousers and I’m settling down for a bit of hand sewing. I don’t trust myself blind hemming such unfriendly fabric and I want to make certain the Lycra covers the fraying mess inside before I stitch in the ditch.

Then it’s the second pair of PJs for 3 year old twins and finally I can think about something for me.

Altered trousers delivered to the recipient and £20 just landed on my doormat. My mind is truly boggled on how this makes good financial sense but obviously I’m grateful.

What also landed was my monster 41% off £40 order from Knighton fabrics and I’m very pleased with it. The dark grey ponte is a bit school uniform and the 5 colours of tubular ribbing aren’t exactly exciting but the loop back Lycra in distressed black and grey has got me itching to start sewing. Likewise some sage green brushed back ribbing which I was going to use for pjs but might make a top for layering under something else as well. Overall I’ve had some great buys from Knighton, starting with my huge mystery box which I’m still working through.

Just made a boxy zipper pouch for a friend for secret santa. Except I put the zip on the short side, not the long side. Still usable, but a silly mistake 🙄

Frustrating but easily done @twobluechickens. It’s the sort of thing I do all the time.

I’m determined to finish the toddler pjs today. One top complete and one cut out so it won’t take long. Then I’ll have to decide which fabric to use for the bottoms as there isn’t enough left for two pairs and that won’t do. I’ll probably use the red soft stretch rib that I’ve used for the sleeves as it’s lovely pj material but has absolutely no structure. It’ll work with ankle cuffs. Then I’ll make drawstring bags out of what’s left of the Xmas fabric and they can use them when they go to stay with their dad.

Big decision made and I’m moving my sewing set up into DS1s old bedroom in the new year. I like being where I am at the moment as it’s downstairs but it can get messy mid project. It’ll be nice to have a dedicated sewing space though and the deciding factor is that we built him a den in the attic with a fixed ladder when he was about 8 and that den is the perfect location for my fabric stash. I’m thinking about making a fold down cutting table. I don’t want a permanent one as it will end up being used as a dumping ground.

Sounds like a plan Jins - I would love a sewing space , I am hoping to get my small box room soon 🤞. I agree on a pull down cutting table too ! I have just finished a couple of peg buckets for my DD’s - nice and capacious . Just need to put drawstrings and a cord toggle on each, and pop to my hardware shop for some carabiners to hook on the washing line

I am making my crackers, glad it will only be 4 as I feel this is the most difficult pattern!
I have used Vilene S133 buckram/interfacing and the tubes are more square like than tubular. Is there a way of getting them rounder? Maybe a rolling pin in the middle and give them a good roll?
Can I iron fusible interfacing again?

Is that the wonder crackers pattern? Mine look ok but I had to be very careful ironing the seams. I'm sure they will be fine once filled as well.

Yes it is the wonder crackers pattern. They look lovely but didn’t realise how much hard work they would be! I think the interfacing has come unstuck a bit at the seam. Maybe a couple of tiny stitches through the seam to keep it all in place?

They are very fiddly. I try and sew them in batches it makes it a bit easier, have now done 5 with 1 to go. Maybe stitching will help

I had wondered about making crackers but, having looked at a few tutorials, decided they looked like too much faff. I opted for pretty little gift bags instead.

I’m now in a frenzy of roll up pencil cases, which are a lovely quick, satisfying sew.

I am glad I am only making 4 as they are fiddly. But the 2 parts I have made so far do look good.
I will have some fabric left over so might make some of those tree shaped gift bags.

My plan is that once I have six I will not need anymore, and they will come out every year. The roll up pencil cases sound interesting are you using a particular pattern?

I have also been using scraps to make little tree decorations.

Gosh you’re all so industrious! I can’t imagine myself ever taking the cracker making task on so I’m really impressed. Funnily enough I saw some at a craft fair on Saturday for £10 each. I think they were filled but not sure what with. By making them out of scraps you’ll be saving a fortune over the years as crackers aren’t cheap to buy.

I managed to squeeze a sleeveless vest top out of the remnants from making the twins PJs. I didn’t have enough for the neckband and the fabric is too floppy to hem so I’ve used black tubular rib for the neckband and armholes. Looks ok with wine coloured main fabric and it’s holding the shape together better. I used tubular ribbing for the first time this week and I’m a total convert. I always seem to get the percentages wrong making bands from stretch fabrics so this stuff is a game changer

Xmas sewing is complete now so I’m hoping to find time to do a bit of stash busting and make a couple of outfits for the festive season Jeans have been put on hold for now but it’s my new year project.