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 didn’t know about Knighton either, I really can’t justify another mystery box so I’ll wait and see, might order from them via fb, I don’t know.

DD’s pyjamas are finished, next job is to cut out two t-shirts for her. They’re similar colours so it makes sense to do them at the same time, whilst I’ve got the right thread in the machines.

@MineThineYom they started out selling on FB and some of the group prefer that but I preferred the website as there were filters and sorting. If I’m honest I only ever bought mystery boxes and lengths from the warehouse clearance section of the website.

They seem to be under financial pressure at the moment as they let their designer go very recently so there won’t be as many exclusives in future. Again not something I bought.

In other news I have someone due to collect the length of gingham jersey.

Thank you for the info on Knighton @Jins and congratulations re the gingham jersey😁

I ordered from Knighton on FB before they had a website. Their service level was patchy - one order arrived after World Book Day despite being specifically ordered for it weeks in advance. I had to chase them repeatedly to get the fabric despatched. I unfollowed after that. My experience is that the fabrics tend to be quite synthetic and thin.

I’ve had some lovely fabrics from Knighton in mystery boxes but I think they are usually deadstock rather than regular lines. I’ve never been drawn to the exclusives which are usually on spun poly or scuba but I’ve had things like brush back jersey and loop back Lycra which have been winners and something I’d never have bought otherwise.

I bought some brush backed jersey from Knighton and although the colour and print looked excellent, it bobbled almost immediately so looks scruffy now. Sad times. The plain jersey was excellent though and didn't bobble.

Box arrived and only two awful pieces. There’s a black and white heart pattern thick jersey and a grey sweater knit with big stars. Both have been donated to DH for dust sheets. The rest is great. Some French terry, lots of plain ribbed jersey and a couple of bright patterned ones that will be great for summer. There’s even 4m swim fabric and loads of stretchy mesh suitable for lining swimsuits. I’m very happy with my last mystery box.

I should really make some clothing as I used to like making clothes.
But today I have patched Dd jeans, fixed a belt loop, adjusted the waistband on 2 skirts and redone a seam on a cushion.

I had a fettling day yesterday. Bought some stuff on amazon haul (lord forgive me). A bikini because I just can't face cocking up another round of swimwear. It was fine but I added more elastic for safety. I also got some wide legged 'linen' dungarees. They were a bit too roomy around the waist so I added an elastic channel so they are fitted in (and not flashing my knickers to the unwary)

I have a bunch of sewing floating around in my brain

• a t shirt tunic top (probably based on a jalie raglan t) with a 'matching' cropped knit cardigan (pattern to be determined)
• a faux playsuit based on the saguaro set. Make the trousers as shorts. I got let down by pound a metre as the fabric I ordered for this was only 42 wide, rather than the advertised 55.

I also splurged on some dress kits from Guthrie and Ghani so they're also calling my name.

I’m testing my homemade swimwear in the hotel pool today and so far so good. Peppermint Brontë bathers for reference but with extra elastic. 🤣

I’m tempted by a few things on haul. Is it shein/wish/Temu quality?

Quality on haul is a bit variable - fabric descriptions are a bit loose, they do follow their own size charts if supplied, but sometimes you're guessing what they mean by an XL (American/uk/asia?)

I've only had one unwearable thing, a pair of shorts that were too immodest. The rest have been fettle-able. I got a knee length kimono/jacket thing in viscose for £4... looks way more expensive. It's all basically a lottery.

I got my second (and seemingly last 😥) Knighton mystery box. I am delighted 👏🥳 there are several really nice fabrics in there, and none which are completely unusable😄.

I’ve been away for a fortnight and didn’t do any sewing for several weeks before that, so I’m itching to be reacquainted with my sewing machine. Got a couple of things cut out but I’m also considering a last-minute make for a friend’s wedding in a couple of weeks’ time. It’s not a posh wedding so I don’t have to make anything fancy, but it will need to be good for dancing!

Sounds like you didn't waste any time making use of your swim fabric 😁👍

I've not been lucky enough to get any swim fabric. I did get a piece of lovely silky soft pale blue-gray lycra type fabric, a really nice piece of knitted fabric, an especially pretty floral print, amongst others. I was then inspired to buy two new paper patterns. I have not bought a paper pattern since about 1992!
One is for a raglan sleeve top, one of the versions on this pattern shows a polo neck but instead of the neck being sewn on it's an extension of the body and sleeve pieces.
https://jaycotts.co.uk/products/bd6990?srsltid=AfmBOopAitpLr7r-MjCUd27kKkaH-uy7dpUNiHzQYm9kKYywwXeL8LRN
I'm slightly averse to having a seam close around my neck and am looking forward to having a go with this pattern.

<dances a happy dance>

Guess who found her lost Kwik Sew leggings pattern? It was stuck to the envelope of the segauro set!

.

I am going away next week so I have made a chalk and notch fringe dress. I have some Winslow's to hem and if time I want to make a jersey tee (probably cashmerette) and an Aria top. I have finally got round to hemming my foxhill dress for work too.

Yay. I bet that was a relief.

I made two t-shirts for DD today. One was with the fried egg fabric from my Knighton box, and one with some goose fabric that she bought with her own money at the Knitting & Stitching show. I’m not thrilled with the neckbands. The goose one is better, but the egg one looks awful. Didn’t stretch it enough at first, so had to stretch it too much at the end. I’m annoyed with myself about it. But, she admitted she doesn’t know where / when she’ll wear it, so I might use the rest to make shorts, and call it a set of pyjamas.

However, I am glad that I’ve actually completed two planned projects. It’s too easy to buy the stuff and never get round to using it, so I’m feeling quite smug about using up some stash. Now I need to make something for DS.