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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I like your fun project @Wrenbirdwren. I would never have guessed that it had a previous life as a blanket.

For those looking for curvy trouser patterns have you had a look at the Cashmerette patterns. More on the pricier side but their patterns comes with different fits.

I like the Safiya trousers, but I do have to be careful which tops I wear them with.

Yes definitely true that different patterns work for different people. Glad they work for you @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie 😊

I'll give them a go, it's good practice if nothing else, and they're so big that if I hate them I can always chop them up again to make something else! I would love to find a smarter trousers pattern that work for me, I'm usually in M&S Sienna straight leg jeans.

I finished the visible mending on my jeans. Patchwork with 1” diameter hexagons, I stitched that together first, then stuck it onto the jeans with Bondaweb, and then sewed it in place with (hopefully) invisible stitches.

oh that's lovely!!

Thank you! And hopefully if other areas need repairs, I can use the same technique and it’ll look cohesive.

That’s a really lovely way to repair jeans @Castleriggand something I’ll try to remember for next time.

I’m back from my hols and raring to go. Not sure what the first project will be yet.

I have been putting off cutting a trousers project (Daughter Judy Coes) because of having to sort out fit issues (there may not even be any!) but I’m going to start it tonight with a toile and see how I get on.

I succumbed to temptation and bought a Knighton mystery box from the FB group which I’m annoyed about as I promised myself I’d use up some stash first. Anyway it turned up yesterday and while it’s not as good as others I’ve had there were two long pieces of woven fabric that are winners. There’s nearly 3m of black medium/heavy weight linen textured poly blend and over 4.5m of a dark green poly viscose with cream flowers which is enough for a Bold One Rossi/Fredy. There’s a higher proportion of usable stretch fabric to unusable which is good. I’m highly unlikely to use some Xmas themed stuff and there’s a coronation themed circle skirt piece which will definitely not be used. Lots of scuba in usable prints and lots of T shirt type fabric that is definitely going to be used. Overall it’s not a bad box although it looked a bit lurid on opening it.

Next project has to be some warmer semi-smart trousers so I’m going to try to stay focused. Then at some point I’ll adjust the metro ‘jeans’ pattern for a flatter arse than it’s designed for but I want to do that as a slow sew and I’d prefer to get some warmer everyday outfits sorted first

Fail. Feet up on the sofa with the cat instead.

Anyone got any jersey pyjama patterns they could recommend? I made a set from a unisex Big 4 pattern and although I wear them, the fit is crap (had to reduce the rise by about 4”; I could have tucked my boobs in).

I’ve made this free pattern for a few people and they’ve gone down well. It’s a good deal for a free pattern as there are so many options for men and women

I don’t wear PJs very often but I have made a pair of the love notions Luna loungewear bottoms and they were a surprisingly good fit

Thanks! Will definitely be downloading that.

After last year’s disappointing Fabric Godmother advent calendar. I’ve spent considerably less and I’ve treated myself to the My Sewing Box Advent Box this year. Has anyone else getting a crafty calendar?

I love an advent calendar! Never had a sewing one but I have had several sewing label calendars - a great way to build the stash! I’ve got a cosy club handmade one this year.

I love the idea of a sewing advent calendar but looking at what’s been in previous ones I’m not sure I’d get much from it that I’d use. Maybe for a quilter or bag maker they’d be better.

I’ve got a quiet day today so I’m hoping to get a project list sorted and get some fabrics out of stash. I’ve got a lot of stretch fabrics that need to go really as I’ve more than enough to use for toiles. I seem to have built up a bit of a French terry stash and quite fancy colour blocking them. I also need to pack up the viscose challis for the year.

Just finished my Coe trousers and I’m so pleased with them! They are really comfortable, I’ve nailed the fit and I will get a lot of wear out of them. I didn’t love the zip instructions but I will remember to use the Megan Nielsen instructions next time as they are much clearer.

The only problem is I have a horrible feeling I didn’t wash the fabric beforehand. So that might be interesting when I wash them 😬

Headed over to the Knit and Stitch show over the weekend. It was great to see so many fellow crafters and it was such a nice day.

I did not buy any fabric but I did get to touch and feel fabric, so I could get a better idea of what each fabric type is really like.

I think after my current projects, I am going to try stretch jeans. eek
Does anyone know the best material to use for a toile? Denim fabric is quite expensive and I do not fancy using the best stuff for my 1st try.

It’s tricky with stretch jeans because only stretch denim really gives you an idea of fit, and even then different stretch denims have different amounts of stretch (ask me how I found that out 😬). You also want to make them with zero (or less!) ease to get the snug fit.

I have made the Megan Nielsen Ash jeans many times and started off in a 16 but now make an 18 as they are more comfortable like that. The finished measurements will give you a good idea, along with finding out what height the pattern is drafted for - if it’s taller or shorter than you then you might need to add/remove length. The pattern will usually indicate the required stretch percentage for the fabric and you can compare your fabric by stretching a 10cm wide piece along a ruler - whatever number you can stretch it to -10 then times 10 is your stretch percentage, if that makes sense 🤔 - eg if you can stretch it to 13cm it’s 30% stretch, 14cm = 40% stretch and so on. Megan Nielsen explains it better than me here: https://blog.megannielsen.com/2015/08/how-to-calculate-stretch-percentage/

I would also look at pattern reviews on Threadloop if you are a member, that can highlight things to look out for.

Or just be brave and go for it 😁

Great advice. Thanks @twobluechickens

Let us know how you get on!