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Original poster

Stitch and bitch #7. Hanging by a thread

879 replies

NutellaEllaElla · 03/07/2023 15:52

Welcome sewists new and old.
Before the break we were losing all self control. Fabric buying is a separate hobby. No judgement here. Pop in and share your wins and woes but most of all, please tell me what the heck to do with any current sewing project because I have no idea what i'm doing. Thankyouplease. Smile

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OP posts:
Thread gallery
141
GnomeDePlume · 21/08/2023 12:32

InMySpareTime · 21/08/2023 07:53

Buy the fabric, even if you don't use it for the wedding outfit you can make something fabulous with it.
(As previously mentioned, I'm an enabler)

Really? I couldn't tell 😉

GnomeDePlume · 21/08/2023 12:43

These are the two fabrics I'm looking at:
https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/indian-silk-dupion-azure.html

https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/floral-oasis-cotton-poplin-print-navy.html?query=floral%20oas

I put the quantities I would need into the basket and it would come to £225!

Also I have never sewn silk!

Indian Silk Dupion, Azure

https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/indian-silk-dupion-azure.html

SBAM · 21/08/2023 12:50

@GnomeDePlume the silk is gorgeous! Is dupion the type that’s quite crisp and structural? That is a lot of money, I’d be tempted to get samples to check I was happy with them before I ordered something that expensive.

SideWonder · 21/08/2023 13:08

I sew silk a fair bit, and I find that I get best results with as fine a needle as I can manage to thread, and a new needle at the start. It’s a robust fabric, so will take a fair bit of pressing etc - use a damp cotton tea towel as a pressing cloth, and lots of water spray and steam. I love the smell of ironing damp hot silk (weirdo, I know)

GnomeDePlume · 21/08/2023 13:29

Dupion is the thicker, more slubbed silk. @SBAM you are right, I need to get samples. @SideWonder thank you, that is reassuring.

Jins · 21/08/2023 15:28

@Sewingdufus i use the first method in this tutorial then tighten the gathers by pulling the needle thread. It works with 3 or 4 threads and it’s pretty bombproof. My overlocker came with a gathering foot but I’ve never used it

Jins · 21/08/2023 15:30

I made my wedding dress from Dupion and had no problems. In fact I was surprised by how compliant it was

TragicMuse · 21/08/2023 16:21

Dupion is nicely workable, the slubs help it to be a bit more stable.

Sewingdufus · 21/08/2023 18:01

Jins · 21/08/2023 15:28

@Sewingdufus i use the first method in this tutorial then tighten the gathers by pulling the needle thread. It works with 3 or 4 threads and it’s pretty bombproof. My overlocker came with a gathering foot but I’ve never used it

Sorry @Jins , I’m confused about the tutorial - did I miss a link? Thanks!

Sewingdufus · 21/08/2023 18:05

Thank @Jins that makes more sense 😊🪡

dubyalass · 21/08/2023 18:27

I just spunked an obscene amount of money on 9m of cotton linen pre-ordered from Doops Designs in Australia. Thankfully found a 25% off code which brings it down to £15/m or thereabouts. I've been looking for some bright printed linen for months and love their latest collection so I've gone for it. Particularly love the cat nap print.

www.doopsdesigns.com/collections/pre-orer-fabric/products/copy-of-coral-cacti-white-organic-cotton-linen

SBAM · 21/08/2023 19:46

Wow @dubyalass they’ve got some really nice stuff - quite different to what a lot of the uk fabric stores are selling at the moment. I hope shipping and import taxes won’t sting too much!

InMySpareTime · 21/08/2023 19:53

This is all I've sewn today. I went to tidy my Very Hungry Caterpillar props and found two of the strawberries were missing so I made 2 new ones and embroidered seeds onto all 4.

Stitch and bitch #7. Hanging by a thread
Brefugee · 21/08/2023 20:03

i am intrigued about what you do with them (and what the rest of the props look like)
I have a VERY soft spot for the caterpillar (i got VHC fabric for my birthday a few years ago and have made cushion covers, and a drawstring rucksack among other things)

InMySpareTime · 21/08/2023 20:12

@Brefugee all the food props get fed to the caterpillar then he velcros into a cocoon and emerges as a butterfly.

dubyalass · 21/08/2023 22:58

SBAM · 21/08/2023 19:46

Wow @dubyalass they’ve got some really nice stuff - quite different to what a lot of the uk fabric stores are selling at the moment. I hope shipping and import taxes won’t sting too much!

Shipping alone was £31 before the discount 😬 I really hope I don't get stung too much for import tax. It looks like it should be around 8%, so £15 or so. This is a one-off!

Original poster
NutellaEllaElla · 22/08/2023 06:27

Hey, lovely that you found something so special.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 22/08/2023 07:08

InMySpareTime · 21/08/2023 20:12

@Brefugee all the food props get fed to the caterpillar then he velcros into a cocoon and emerges as a butterfly.

oh that sounds amazing

SideWonder · 22/08/2023 11:30

I love the first one you've shared.

So do I @TragicMuse and I don't usually rate the design of McCall's patterns (usually just bor-ing). And I think it would work really well in a good heavy linen. Dalston Mills has gorgeous Irish linen of the correct weight at around £13 pm - bargain!

I think next time Sew Direct does a half-price deal, I'll snap it up. It's how I get the otherwise outrageously priced Vogue patters. I've built up quite a collection this way, and the "indie" pattern companies always seem v expensive for what they offer (ie only one garment - I like to get those patterns with say, trousers, jacket & skirt ...)

Dellabob123 · 22/08/2023 14:11

still no sewing, but dreaming of sewing. Loving all the fabrics.

@Jins fabulous dress!
@NutellaEllaElla I’m doing an MA in creative writing - this is the final bit and I’ve suddenly got sidetracked by sewing- now of all times! Need to focus.

I watched a tutorial the other day on making your own professional form based on your own body- it was epic!!! They did the plaster cast thing then filled that with expanding foam and finished it from there. Was very time consuming but looked great in the end. Would love to also try that…I think I am procrastinating 😬

kittykarate · 22/08/2023 15:46

There are some crazy tutorials out there showing how to build a dress form from gaffers tape. I'm not sure I have anyone I'd trust to tape me up like that, never mind cut me out.

SBAM · 22/08/2023 16:12

I have an adjustable dress form, which I padded to more closely resemble my size/shape. And then I’ve lost a bit of weight 🫣 can’t face re-doing it though. To be fair I don’t use it much, I don’t think I know how to get the best out of it.

TragicMuse · 22/08/2023 20:04

Dellabob123 · 22/08/2023 14:11

still no sewing, but dreaming of sewing. Loving all the fabrics.

@Jins fabulous dress!
@NutellaEllaElla I’m doing an MA in creative writing - this is the final bit and I’ve suddenly got sidetracked by sewing- now of all times! Need to focus.

I watched a tutorial the other day on making your own professional form based on your own body- it was epic!!! They did the plaster cast thing then filled that with expanding foam and finished it from there. Was very time consuming but looked great in the end. Would love to also try that…I think I am procrastinating 😬

Oh are you @Dellabob123? Is that in the Fine City?!

I've just applied for an MA in creative writing...on tenterhooks now, waiting to hear if I have a place!

Original poster
NutellaEllaElla · 22/08/2023 20:14

Creative writing sounds like a lovely course. I hope the stress of deadlines and dissertation doesn't ruin it for you!

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