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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@Hiddendoor that is amazing!!

I have a Toyota overlocker that I bought in 2000 which still works but needs repairing. I recently bought a Pfaff overlocker, I'm happy with it but it's taken a while to get used to compared to my old one.
I've heard about the auto threading overlockers but I had no idea that there are also auto tension machines!

Ah, thank you!
I am glad I had the 2 metres, getting the placement right took quite a bit of effort. I have nearly 0.5m left in a scrappy but usable state so can up the remnant for lining/pockets/decoupage bits.

Not sure what to do next. I am really tempted to make the same jacket but in a sequin fabric (that i don't have) with lining. Will give myself the chance to enjoy this first though!

I love that, @Hiddendoor 😍

Brilliant work Hiddendoor!

That is wild @Hiddendoor ! And I mean that in a good way. So fun!

@MineThineYom Babylock sell their machines as having auto-tension, but in fact they use a system that bypasses tension altogether I watched a video on it once and it's a very impressive bit of lateral thinking on Babylock's part. Instead of trying to solve tension issues by tinkering around the edges, they redesigned the system from scratch.

@Hiddendoor I LOVE that jacket! I’m slowly branching out into brighter colours and prints but I need to speed up.

I’ve worn the summer basics dress a couple of times and the fabric has grown on me. So I used Google lens to see if anyone else stocks it. It’s clearly Roman deadstock and it’s viscose elastane rather than poly blend. Winner

https://www.roman.co.uk/shadow-floral-stretch-midi-dress-14807176

Thanks so much for explaining😄 I should have googled it myself, although now I'm wondering if I'll get a bad case of buyers remorse if I properly understand what I'm missing

Amazing jacket @Hiddendoor ! A sequin version would be brilliant too.

I got the sleeves on DP’s shirt yesterday, just hemming and buttons to do now.

I almost finished the Frankie trousers, just need to hem and finish the waistband. I think the pattern has potential, but this pair looks so rough!

I partially blame this on not having sewn for a while, but the instructions need to accept some of the blame too. I know not every sewist wants to spend ages on finishes, but there’s not even a mention of (optional) bar tacks, graded seams or understitching…or even pressing open seams!

And don’t get me started on the instructions for the zip fly, which are practically optimised to guarantee failure. I think I ended up re-sewing the zip 5 types, which partially explains the disheveled end result. Anyway, I shall not be defeated and have already ordered more twill fabric. I just expected a little bit better from a pattern I spent more than £20 on.

Looks like I need a new foot pedal for my machine or some carbon things.. my pedal has one speed but I have seen some have low and high. A like for like replacement or does the different speed make a difference?

Very exciting here! The overlock thread has arrived the spools are huge.

Those look like they’ll keep you going for a few years @Isabelle70!

I can’t help on the foot pedal as I’ve never even attached the pedal to my machine (mine also has a button to start it). I’m sure that makes me a bad sewist…

Exciting. I have used an Overlocker before and it was fab. But I not ventured into home ownership as yet. I do not have the space ATM.

I’m most of the way through a saguaro top and it’s going pretty well despite me failing to follow instructions. It’s going to need lengthening for the next attempt I think and I could probably do with making the bottom band bigger as I’ve got a weird ribcage and it’s a bit snug underbust.

I’ve decided against making the trousers from the set. Far too high waisted and wide legged for me so I’ll adapt the trusty allegro pattern to make a wider leg and higher waist.

Mutton dressed as lamb vibes going on sadly

Saguaro top salvaged by using thinner elastic round the bottom of the waistband which has given me a crucial few inches of coverage.

Winter wear designs $3 sale pattern is a swimsuit for up to age 14. Here. I can make the hip/waist work but the bust is a bit small. Really like the style for ‘proper’ swimming so I’m tempted to see what I can do with it.

I dug out the Colette/Seamwork Sorbetto tops I made many years ago. They’re all a bit wrong now I know I have a forward shoulder so I’m looking at altering them.

Hi everyone, please could I join you? I've turned on my machine again years after it lying fallow and have caught the sewing bug again. No friends irl that sew, so I'm out on my own a bit.
This is my latest make, a simple shift from an old table cloth. Hopefully useful for the coming heatwave!
I'd like to ask what uses there might be for quite stiff cotton fabric? I bought a gingham table cloth that I LOVE the print of, hoping to make a dress, but the fabric will be too stiff for it to hang nicely. Any ideas? I can post a pic if helpful... Happy sewing everyone!

Hi. If it's very rigid, maybe a tote bag but if it's merely quite heavy then it should work as a "bottom weight" fabric ie skirt or trousers or some sort of jacket. Or even a Pinafore.

Just finished. I’m delighted with it! My first real go at pattern matching. Also the first time doing buttonholes on this sewing machine. Husqvarna, with a buttonhole sensor foot. Had to re-do several of them, as they were a bit scruffy, I wasn’t thrilled with the finish considering the price of the machine, but got there in the end.

That’s absolutely brilliant @Castlerigg ! The pattern matching is 👌

Hi @Wrenbirdwren 👋😄, same here, no irl friends who sew!
I love your shift dress, would the gingham fabric work as some sort of jacket maybe?

Fabulous shirt @Castlerigg
(I cant remember the last time I did a buttonhole)

Thanks both. I was nervous about the buttonholes, I did practice a couple of times. I was quite confident by the end, having done quite a lot more than the six required!

Welcome @Wrenbirdwren, your top looks lovely for summer. Your gingham fabric might be good for a bucket hat, that’s also a good project to build skills and confidence if you’re out of practice.