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

As I was sewing it I thought “I’m using twill tape for this next time”!

This is supposedly a beginner pattern but I didn’t find the instructions particularly helpful (well, once I read them, anyway 😂) and I think a beginner might struggle with the bias binding. Anyway, with a bit of persuasive pressing it’s turned out really nice but the neckline is slightly upstanding at the seams. I will definitely make it again but will bind early on if I don’t bother with a facing!

I made a thing! Realistically it’s too tiny to be much use, which I suspected it might be, but it wouldn’t be hard to scale up. I liked the idea of the pockets being created by the two layers. I mean, you wouldn’t want to put anything valuable in there, but it’s fine for little bits.

However, I wouldn’t use batting next time - those seams are bulky AF. I’d also topstitch the top, but I ran out of orange thread. And, I realised I’ve twisted one of the handles, and cannot be arsed to correct it. So I’m annoyed about that, but the point of making it was to use up some stash, which it did. I’ll put it in the chazzer bag, the twisted handle can annoy someone else. 😂

it's a cute bag, useful for knitting?

For batting, when i make bags or whatever, i cut the batting to the stitched size, and the fabric gets the seam allowances. It helps know where to sew, as well. Would that help with the bulky bits?

Thanks @BrefugeeUnfortunately not suitable for knitting, because my cat is an arse and has a relentless determination steal yarn. A mere bag is no match for her, unless it’s got a sturdy zip (and possibly a padlock).

Good idea about the batting. Could work, but I’d be inclined to try interfacing instead next time.

I like the bag @Castlerigg

I have made a Helens Closet Ashton top, and planning on several more to use up remnants. I am also off to Fabworks this morning so very excited about that. It's not far from me but only opens Saturday mornings at weekends so I don't make it there very often.

Great bag @Castlerigg!

I’ve been using a polystyrene dress form for ages, it’s never been a particularly good representation of my size but it was ok for most things. I decided it was time to buy the next size down the other day and found some absolute bargains on eBay. Except it’s only a bargain if you get what you ordered 😡. I ordered the size 12-14 which has a 97cm bust and they sent a size 8-10. Clearly their error so I went through the eBay return then messaged them to check they actually had the 12-14 in stock and got this reply

yes we have instock please check the size description so you dont have to return it again.

Well I’m not sure how me checking the size description stops them sending the wrong item so I’ve changed track and ordered an adjustable one from amazon instead. I‘m really excited!

i'd just send a screenshot of my order with a big red arrow pointing at the size i ordered.

I have a dress form but tbh it is nowhere near my size, so i need to use it as a base to use to make clothes.

But in an amazing development: i am making another dress hot on the heels of the last one. Maybe my sewjo is really back!

@Brefugee they got a screenshot and a sarcastic message. Made me feel better.

New form just arrived and it’s taken a while to set it up but I’m happy with the upper bust and hips. I’ll have to pad the bust area I think to replicate my shape. They are all a bit flat chested really

i use an old bra stuffed with old socks and pull a very form-fitting vest top over it.
must get round to doing all that with my form.

meanwhile i have done more sewing on my frock, and am looking at trouser patterns. What is happening??

New in. I'm trying very hard not to remember that Hellen's Manor has a textiles bazaar in July.

I'm finally starting my 'sliding towards retirement' project, teaching visible mending and selling off 40 years worth of craft and fabric stash

Hello @SamphiretheTervosaur !

I should be doing housework but instead am on the sofa thinking of cutting out a new top pattern. Housework schmousework!

@twobluechickens ,
They say when you are dead and gone noone will remember with fondness all the housework you did, however they will treasure your handmade textiles , works of love!

When the first indications of Covid-19 hit, my daughter was still in training. She was working in a residential home for disabled people. And they asked her if she knew a) anyone who could sew and b) anyone with a stash of closely woven fabric who could make masks for them since they didn't have enough.

And i got back into sewing in a big way, but not clothes, i decided to use my stash (haha) to make reusable make up wipes etc. Anyway...

When shops opened again, i bought some black and white woven viscose fabric to make a dress. Cut it out (big bias-cut godets in it, quite challenging) and started. And cocked up the bias-facing on the V-neck and cast it aside. Anyway, since i made the toile recently, i dug out the original one, had enough fabric to re-cut the bits i needed to recut and am now about to hem it. 2 dresses within 4 weeks! i can't believe it.

Now to my question. the dress is too long, so i need to cut about 5 cms off, and the godets were uneven so i need to trim them anyway. So, dear Sewists of Mumsnet: how do you ensure an even hem? (it will be overlocked and turned up 1.5cm)

I tried on the toile for my summer trousers. Despite measuring myself carefully and checking the pattern, they’re gigantic. Realistically I’m going to have to start again from scratch with a smaller size. I don’t know if I have the energy.

Dear @Brefugee , There is an easy way to get a straight hem but it takes two people . You need to put the dress on, preferably with the shoes you will wear with it and using a rigid yard or meter stick and pins, ask the other person to mark the length you have decided on in front of the mirror. They will measure from the floor up to your chosen finished length. Do not forget to re-add a hem before cutting evenly all around. I hope this is clear enough?

In the olden days we used a gadget with powder on a measuring stick that was sprayed as it was moved around the bottom of the skirt to mark it. I don't know if those still exist ? HTH

To add to the above post, make sure you've had it hanging up for a day or so, rather than folded in the drawer of despair, before measuring.

hello @Castlerigg! Thus happens to everyone once in a while and usually when we are being extra generous about size. Not to worry. It will fit even better the next time!

Set it aside a day or two and if you are like many of us tenacious sewists you will soon find renewed energy to reattack! Best of luck!

I say this as a very long time former sewist who hasn't touched any of my 3 machines in ages and would like to get back into the 'pleasure' of sewing! I also knit and my right wrist is getting arthritis and can't knit more than a few rows. Luckily I am mostly a left handed sewist!

@Whataretalkingabout the summer trousers are in the naughty corner for now, I’m not talking to them. I may occasionally glare in their direction. I may resume working on them when I feel they are sufficiently sorry. Until then, I’m knitting in front of them and expressing loudly how much I’m enjoying it.

oh i am a very long in the tooth dressmaker, i hang everything for 24 hours (longer if lined) before hemming etc.

Unfortunately as you said it's a 2 person job but the other person in this house can't be relied on to do it... but in the event i managed and it's lovely.

Which means: i have finally finished my lockdown dress!

An option I’ve seen online (but not tried) for marking hem length is to rub chalk on some string and tape it across a door way at the right height. You can then stand next it to and turn so the chalk leave a line

I’ve cut out and started sewing the Fibre Mood Belle top because I felt like I needed some statement sleeves. Anyway, it has a bias bound neckline and this time I took all of your advice (and read the instructions first) and bound the neckline after sewing the shoulder seams.

And whaddya know, it went on perfectly. The only problem was I used a cheap needle and it skipped stitches while I was understitching. So, needle replaced, binding sewn down and job’s a good’un.

I must have also matured as a sewer because the next step was doing the ruffles. It was 22:30 and instead of my usual “let’s cram some more sewing in before bed” and then making a hash of it, I turned the machine off. Go me!

oh it does take some willpower to not power through - well done!

I do have a dress form with the attachment for hems, but the dress is quite long so it didn't work. Anyway. all done.

Now i have 2 more WIPs that i abandoned for some reason or another, i am hoping to get cracking on those this week.

Finished my Fibre Mood Belle top and am really pleased with it - the sleeves are quite OTT but I really like the overall effect. It is slightly too small around the hips but as I’m intending to wear it tucked into jeans it’s not a problem. Just need to make a note to add a bit to the bodice pieces next time.

Next up is the FM Lola and I also cut out a Blandine from I Am Patterns so that little lot should keep me going for a while!

The Etty Camisole that I made last year in black viscose has finally given up and I can’t be bothered to try to repair it again. Fraying at the front scalloped edge when it’s been topstitched is very tricky to fix.

I really miss having a black cami though so I’ve made a wearable toile in a smaller size which has gone well and I’m going to Abakhan to check out their lightest weight of interfacing to try to prevent future fraying on the new one.

Sewing group is definitely meeting today, so I’m going to start on a smaller size summer trousers. But they’d better behave themselves!