Stitch and bitch thread #12. We’re in stitches!

[NutellaEllaElla]

Welcome and welcome back oldies and newbies!

Whatcha doin? What are your plans? I need some inspo. It's been a long time since i've approached my machine for various reasons.My favourite ever make has been a stretch dress, i'd wear it all the time if I could. I live in fear of the day I try to go to Barry's fabrics and it's gone. The Birmingham fabric scene is being decimated. What'll I do?!

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Thanks @NutellaEllaElla ! I’ve bought the bits to make a bumbag/fanny pack for a friend who’s having chemo, going to get it all cut out this evening. Also got the Cornell shirt printed out and now need to choose which fabric to make it in. Might make another Cleo top too.

Thanks @NutellaEllaElla. Long time no see!

I’m doing more planning than sewing right now as I’m moving to a sewing room soon and most of my stuff is packed up. I’m ready to completely revamp my wardrobe (in my head) but realistically I’ve got a mixture of projects planned which includes making some better fitting basics and branching out into more complicated and fitted styles. My priority is to stash bust as the stash is obscene.

I’ve been making lots of Claudia cubic bags and I’ve got a few other bag patterns that could use up some of my more difficult fabrics.

Then at some point I’ll have to make 3 pairs of full length curtains. Not until the room is decorated though and that’s a while off but I’ve bought the fabric already as it was a bargain.

Checking in - i have been on the other thread under the wrong name. Sorry 😂

Hello! Thanks for the new thread!

I am currently wearing a top I made this week but slightly disappointed in it. It has bust darts but somehow i have managed to get place them incorrectly so they are pointing almost vertically towards the neckline.

Lesson: I should probably check everything is in the right place before I sew up the side seam...

Also beed to retrace the pattern piece as I have made it so many times it is falling apart.

I have some red and black plaid flannel coming soon from Catkin & Scraps - bit pricey but I have wanted this style fabric for over 5 years and never bit the bullet before. I decided time to stop procrastinating on it and just buy it. Othwrwise, nothing else on order which is just as well as the stash is outgrowing the plastic box I use to limit my hoard...

Hi all, thanks for #12
Did anyone go to the creative craft show in Birmingham and get anything good?

Thanks for the new 🧵. Not much sewing has been happening here. My dining chairs are a bit too high for me and my hip has started to object very strongly. The odd bit of pattern tracing and cutting out has been done for the day I can sit comfortably for more than the odd 20 minutes again but I've mostly been slow stitching. I've just finished a traditional crewel work kit a d started a modern one.

Thanks for the new thread! No sewing for me this weekend as we had visitors, but I wore my Winslow's for the first time and was very happy with them

Just place marking as it’s been almost a year since I last made something 😬

I did buy myself a new sewing pattern last week, so who knows, may be something will change!

Saw this on facebook and it made me laugh. The many pairs of scissors the children ‘borrowed’ they don’t touch my fabric scissors now thankfully. It took them leaving home 😂
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1956821551563247/?fs=e&fs=e

I’ve just received my final subscription box from Sew Confident and the pattern isn’t my style. For the price of postage one of you can have it. Printed A0 pattern details on pictures and I’ll DM you the instructions

I’m not sure I’d wear it either!

I made good progress on my trouser block this evening - started off with the hilariously large toile that was allegedly based on my measurements and pinned it until it fit. The proportions were actually not too bad; the rise was too long at the front so I took two inches out there, and made a couple of other tweaks, and was then pleasantly surprised with the results. Now to transfer it all back to the pattern pieces and make another toile to check the results.

Thank you for the new thread Nutella - life has seriously got in the way of any chance of sewing here , but as soon as it settles , I have a to -do list waiting ....
Late to answering about cutting out , but I have A0 andA1 size self healing mats .I use both on my dining table , and can move around to cut . I used to cut out on the floor , but having a dodgy hip has stopped that - I can get down , but not back up!
There is hope in the not too distant future I may beable to create a craft room , and am trying to see if I could have a pull down thing from the wall to use as a cutting area to save space , but worry that I do like to walk around my table to cut out

A wall-based drop-down table is an excellent idea @bookbook !

An achievement to report! As sewing has been curtailed I found my old knitting stash and I’ve just finished a cap sleeved cardigan. This is an achievement as I don’t think I’ve actually finished a garment for decades. I restricted myself to sock knitting as I tended to finish them. I’m quite pleased with the cardigan which is a pattern from an old magazine and I’ve spent a bit of time learning how to do mattress stitch and sew things up properly.

Overlocker and sewing machine now set up and stash safely hidden away from prying eyes. I’ve bought two of those folding sewing machine stands on wheels which I’m impressed with. One more to put together then the coverstitch can be set up and my old Toyota can live on the shelf below it. I’ve had to reassess my project list as I had a flash of realisation that at a stone lighter the probability that last year’s holiday swimwear fitting is low so replacements are top of the list

All the machines are now set up, the stash is hidden and I’m now trying to find homes for all the rest of the essential stuff. There’s room to work so I’m going to work today! I’ve been savage with the stash and I have a big box filled with fabric I’m unlikely to use, the jersey that’s too see through, the strangely rigid poly suiting and the pink scuba for example.

Yesterday was pattern sorting day and I’ve now got a pile of patterns I’d like to make for the summer so that’s a win. I’ve decided to get rid of the ones with zips, I love the style and/or features so hung on to them in case I felt inspired to alter the fastening but realistically if I’ve not found time in 3 years I’m not going to.

So new project list is swimwear, casual trousers, shorts and a new remy raglan.

No sewing here, but I’m making progress with creating a sewing-friendly area at one end of the lounge. Stupid work keeps getting in the way! Still haven’t finished the pyjama shorts.

I’ve cut out a waistcoat but I’m not going to do any sewing this week, too much on before going away for the weekend. I have Monday off so might make a start then.

Headed down to the Stitch Festival last weekend. Really enjoyable day. It was nice to be able to feel different types fabric in person and I think I now know what type of fabric I would like to make a casual coat. Boucle fabric but without wool (I am allergic to wool).

I decided not to go this year because I still haven’t used the fabric I bought last year! It’s a great show, I might treat myself to a ticket next year.

I daren’t go to anything like that although I’d love to.

First sewing in new room is complete. I had a scrappy leftover from a T-shirt experiment so managed to squeeze another one out. No wrinkles anywhere which was a surprise as I made a straight size S which shouldn’t fit based on body and finished garment measurements. I’m not going to pretend I understand LN sizing at this point.

Still loads to sort out but I’m getting there.

I was quite restrained last year - I went with a list of fabrics for particular patterns and didn’t find exactly what I was after so didn’t buy on a whim. Except for when I got to the Rainbow Fabrics stall and all bets were off. Still didn’t splurge though, and bought fabric with patterns in mind (two of which have actually been made, forgot about my Phen shirt in a lovely linen). Just a crazy shiny viscose mix remaining, which I think might become a jumpsuit.

I still regret not buying a magenta boiled wool from Sew Me Something; she went bust later that year and I haven’t found anything as nice since.

Have now located my mum's sewing machine (although she seems to have got rid of her ancient Pfaff which is the one i really wanted, in favour of what i think is a Lidl own branded one.)

Will see if it works later and then i can put my Brother in to the Sewing Machine Doctors (they are really called that - the NähmaschinenDoctors) for a service and to fix the self threader

Well I got half way through an Ashton top about a month ago then stalled.
But - someone was selling a hand crank singer on our village facebook group last weekend so for £20 it’s now mine. Luckily my grandad has experience restoring them so if I can’t get it going myself I know where to turn.

I’ve struggled with my brother sewing machines and automatic needle threading (3different machines)! WI sewing morning at the weekend and one of our sewing gurus said just put the needle down and up and retry - worked a treat!