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

My only recent sewing has been a pair of Fehr Trade Cycling armwarmers - I should have sized down. And a bunch of basic gift bags (found an overlocker only method, so they were quite quick on the machine, but a tiny patch of hand sewing)

I have finished a cracker! 3 more to go :)

i was thinking of making crackers - what is the fiddly part?

For the wonder pattern it’s the pulling the fabric back over the tubes you have made. That’s the faffy bit for me.

It looks lovely @Isabelle70 and I love the velvet ribbon, I might get some of that for mine now

That looks gorgeous @Isabelle70. Fabulous job.

I bought a bobbin winder on Black Friday and it’s just arrived. Seems flimsy and insubstantial but wound a bobbin like a champ. I need to test it in my machine but if all is well I’m going to wind a couple of bobbins for every colour of thread that I use regularly.

@Frumpyunicorn
I’m using the pattern for brush rolls on the Hobbycraft website. The instructions are really clear. It’s nice and easy but looks really cute.

Thank you @Jinsand @FrumpyunicornI am really pleased with them. Dd said they were awesome!
For anyone else trying the Wonders pattern, I have added a row of stitching near the edge of the interfacing along where the seam will be so when I roll and stitch them the adhesive does not come unstuck. The stitching is on the inside and blends with the lining so ever better!

I forgot to say that I also made a red tartan Luella skirt and it’s now my favourite thing I’ve ever made. I may wear nothing else for the next month.

I am churning out makeup bags at a rate of knots. Here’s my latest. One more to make and then I can get back to sewing something for myself!

That's a good idea @Isabelle70 and thanks for sharing the pattern @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie but we also need to see the tartan luella! It sounds amazing! I love the make up bag @twobluechickens I really want to make more bags, but my wardrobe still needs filling and I am slow so never seem to get round to the other bits! (The crackers were meant to be ready for last year!)

Love that bag @twobluechickens. I’m a big fan of a good makeup bag despite not wearing any for decades. They are just the right size for so many things.

Yesterday I went through my underwear drawer and threw almost everything away. Pants that are a size too big, bras that never fitted properly are all gone. I’m left twith two Barrett bralettes that are a bit tired and about 3 pairs of pants. So I’m going to spend some time today cutting out as many pairs of Sinclair kiki briefs as I can fit on some leftover cotton Lycra and measure up for a superstar bra. They are good quick projects to fit in spare time and goodness knows I need them!

The vest top I’ve just made from leftovers from the pjs is headed for the ragbag. Even the tubular ribbing wasn’t enough to support the neckline. At least the fabric has now left the stash forever. I really need to get on with stashbusting. My New Year’s resolution will, as always, be to ignore tempting online fabric offers. I usually do really well until about September then go daft on Black Friday

i love the make up bag - i make loads too. If i am taking a gift (it is usually jam because DH makes so much of it) i usually put them in a zipped bag like this, so the packaging is useful too (and makes inroads into the stash)

Is it lined?

It is! Fully lined. And thanks all, they’re really addictive to make. Am now looking at making a padded laptop bag as my existing one is a bit too small.

haha, same, they are very addictive, i make them in various sizes.

I made a laptop bag last year, but i have a new laptop now and it doesn't fit. Oops. Will have to make another.

And so useful for using up scraps!

@twobluechickenscould you share the pattern? Your bag looks great and I would like to make some as gifts. Thank you

Hi @Isabelle70 it’s this one: https://melaniekham.com/zippered-box-pouch-easy-sewing-project-no-raw-edges/

The one I posted is the medium size one but I’ve also made the large (and sewed the zip on the wrong side, doh). I sew up each side to the point where it meets the zip, and then sew over the zip through all the layers, rather than trying to fold it back like she does, and it definitely gives a cleaner look. Then cut out the box corners etc. There are lots of different patterns around but this one seems to work well. I also found a calculation sheet if you wanted to make a bag to particular dimensions, so I’ll dig that out shortly.

quick note to Melanie's instructions: i used to do it her way, but it is a bit of a faff if (i suspect it is due to my "sew by the seat of your pants" methods) so what i do now is when it comes to sewing the seams that are perpendicular to the zip i do this:

i start as close to the zip as possible for the main fabric, then sew to the corner
Repeat for the other sides of main, and the lining fabrics.

Then lay the pouch flat, with the zipper going from left to right. Smooth it all out, and then sew each side together. That way you only sew over the zip ends once each, rather than twice (for the lining and for the main fabric)

Sorry, i don't really know how to describe it.

That sounds pretty much like how I do it, only I start from the edge and sew towards the zip. I’ll have to make another and video it while I’m doing it so you can see what I mean 😂 I’m also going to try it your way round.

I’ve spent a frustrating time with the husqvana. I cleaned and oiled it in preparation for the bobbin case arrival. It was a perfect fit so I was hopeful. Tried sewing and discovered the feed dogs were dropped but could raise them. I ended up taking the plate off and removed a ridiculous amount of fluff which got them working again. It’s a lovely machine, it really is but there’s something up with the top tension discs as there’s just no tension there at all. Not really sure what to do next. If I can work out how to get the casings off I may be able to see what’s going on. If not then the machine is probably an economic write off and I’ll send the bobbin case back.

pic of fluff removed from around the feed dogs attached for your amazement

can i also say i am quite the Melanie Hamm fan. Her videos always made me happy.

Crikey @Jins ! There’s enough for a small rug there!

What model is it, @jins?

@PickAChew its the 105 Classica. I’ve found a manual online but it’s not much help