Stitch and bitch #7. Hanging by a thread

In my head as a complete numpty, I’d have to draft the pattern as and then turn it over and trace again. So it was all reversed out for proper working on the wrong side of the folded fabric. So when cut it would be as I draped it.

I see this as the same for asymmetrical draping patterns. I would hate to work on the right side of fabric and feel I’d have to do this.

maybe there is a magic way that someone might pop up with…

I may be missing something completely here, but couldn’t you just turn the tracing paper around? I don’t see why you’d need to trace it again, but like I said I may be missing something.

So I’ve taken your ideas and found in my sewing offcuts department some left over fleece from making these two bags. I’ve cut out circles and stuffed them with some roving wool left over from short lived needle felting activity.
Tonight I will be like the Princess and the Pea - if I can feel the dips through my stuffed circles, a duvet, a mattress protector and a fitted bottom sheet I will be a real Princess.
Decided not to iron them on as this flipping mattress has to be rotated and flipped and I didn’t want to make about a 100!
Never throw any scraps away - you never know when they will come in useful

@CrimsonAlligator i was being a complete numpty.

you are exactly right. I had a complete mental block. I’m in the middle of a dissertation and have brain fry.

told myself I’m not starting anything until I’ve finished and making a dress is all I can think about!

Keep us posted @Storynanny1 that looks ingenious

This is a bit of an odd one, but I’m the world’s fussiest fabric shopper and am completely stuck on the fabric for my next project (Deer & Doe’s Melilot) and was wondering if any of you might have some suggestions for where to look.

What I want is some cotton lawn, which should be easy enough, but my other requirements seem to make it impossible to find anything. I’m quite a plain dresser (a touch scandi). I’d like something with a pattern, but nothing too wild or fussy. Something geometric would work or I’m even happy with something plain as long as it’s not completely flat.

Possibly the biggest problem is the colours I’m looking for. I can find what I want in navy/ blue, but I’m looking for something a bit more autumnal - rust, khaki, olive, teal, dark purple. I can’t wear pastels, which seems to rule out about 75% of the lawn I’ve been looking at.

At this stage, I don’t actually care about the price anymore! Please help 😭

these may be a bit too much of a pattern , but Fabworks have some lawn in stock -https://www.fabworks.co.uk/collections/all-woven-cotton/lawn

Try:
Croft Mills
Dalston Mills
Amo Threads
Fabrics at Play
Simply Fabrics, Brixton

Ive used all of these via mail order and they are excellent. They know their fabrics. If you’re in London, you can visit Simply Fabrics & Dalston Mills.

A telephone call to Croft Mills might help? They really know their stock.

@CrimsonAlligator that really is a challenge - I hadn’t realised that so much lawn is a busy floral pattern.

Sew me Sunshine have This rust stripe but it’s not cotton lawn, it’s tencel.

I also had a look for cotton jaquard, and found This but perhaps it’s not dark enough for your autumnal plans?

Dalston Mill have This striped Liberty lawn but it may be a bit busy for you?

More expensive options at Shaukat - all Liberty prints so some
come in different colours too Woodland canopy, Oceanus, Minos maze, Hector C, Flying Pegasus , Enzo

Try Grid Fabrics for geometric designs. They have lots of Nerida Hansen and other similar designers. A lot of lawns seem to have prints with small flowers but I’m looking for big, bold prints. Stitch Fabrics In London also have a great range of bigger prints, and Fabric Godmother and Sister Mintaka usually have good ranges.

Hi @NutellaEllaElla darts can be a pain…I’ve attached a photo from my book which may help explain it better.

if you’d altered it on the pattern, you’d have to tape a bit of extra paper to accommodate the grading required for the new shape. If there is a waist dart…this is where you also need use up that extra space created So, try altering the waist dart as well and see if that helps as well.

the middle pic is for dart lowering.
I’m no expert, but that’s what I’d follow.

Good luck with the alteration @NutellaEllaElla make sure you let us know how you get on.

Hi all, I’m looking for a dress pattern recommendation, please. I’m going to an evening function (drinks, sit down dinner) that’s more cocktail party than ball. I’m an intermediate sewer with ideas above my station, and can sew with knit and woven fabrics on my 1960s Bernina (I also have an overlocker).

I have a fairly “butch” figure, in that I have good legs, zero hips, thickish waist, broad back and shoulders, modest bust and very wobbly arms. Oh, and a long torso, meaning I always have to lengthen the bodice in my sewing projects. I look best in just above the knee length dresses/skirts and necklines that aren’t crew-neck, unless they are raglan. I never wear sleeveless and feel horribly uncomfortably showing off my arms.

My last successful sewing project was a Deer and Doe Sirrocco jumpsuit (see pic and ignore the mess), which I found pretty easy. (Photo is before I added the sleeves).

I would welcome any ideas! Event is in 3 months, so I have plenty of time.

Have a look at

Sew House 7 - Tea House Dress
Named clothing - Olivia wrap
Nina Lee - Mayfair
Forget me not patterns - Adeline (it's got some interesting pleating at the back)
there is a Tilly and the buttons knot wrap one in her stretch book as well but I can't remember the name off the top of my head

wildcard - a zadie jumpsuit made in a fancy fabric.

Update - I’m not a real princess as I couldn’t feel the dips!
now back to real sewing…

@eldorado02 I think a Sirocco in a luxe fabric would be very chic for a party - something like a jewel toned stretch velvet maybe? And you’d have the advantage of knowing the pattern suits you and fits already.

Alternatively, what about This dress from Ellie and Mac - I think a long sleeved fitted short dress looks stylish and will show off your legs and cover your arms without looking like you’re trying to cover your arms.

For jumpsuits I'd suggest the Sew Love Patterns Springe jumpsuit. Quite dressy anyway and you could do it in a sparkly fabric for a bit of glamour.

@NutellaEllaElla so frustrating! Is it worth sewing up the bodice of the one you already cut as a toile?

I’m currently making the Helen’s Closet Orchard (last minute sewing - 48hrs til holiday 🤦🏻‍♀️) but it’s not quite as long as I wanted so I’ve cut the longest ruffle I can manage from the scraps and hopefully that’ll look ok.

I’m back from the wedding and the dress was a success. I’m judging that based on the fact that a fashionista niece raved about it and asked if I sell clothes that I make. As she’s worked in the fashion industry I’m calling it a win. There were 3 other dresses with ‘statement’ sleeves so I felt at home 🤣

Back with a bump and I need to make some tops for my hols. There’s definitely going to be a Remy Raglan and I may throw together some Tyra Tanks as I bought it on release price and I need to get rid of stretch fabrics from my stash.