Stitch and bitch #7. Hanging by a thread

These trousers would be cute in sari fabric. https://thefoldline.com/product/i-am-patterns-helios-outfit/

I wonder if those trousers would look good as a double layer, if you have two saris that go well together. If they were completely separate layers, so basically two pairs of trousers joined at the waistband and the under layer was slightly longer. There would be loads of movement and floatiness but also it wouldn't be see through.

That’s a beautiful idea, I imagine it would look lovely as you moved with the layers swirling over each other.

Glad you had such a lovely convo with the sari lady Nutella, it’s always nice to chat about sewing with a stranger 😄 sounds like you could get a whole capsule wardrobe out of that amount of fabric!

An absolutely fascinating blog post. It verbalised a lot of what I feel about sewing.

I have a plus plus plus sized body. It is so difficult to get off the peg clothing which fits, suits and I like. Sewing my own clothes allows me to choose patterns and fabrics which I like.

The processes involved in sewing allow me to see my body as a series of practical problems to be solved rather than an emotive disappointment. Coming out with a garment at the end is hugely satisfying. Something I have never felt while shopping for clothes.

sorry @NutellaEllaElla i just kind of draped-and-hoped for my wrap skirt

I totally agree, sewing has shown me where my body doesn’t fit the standard, but that’s somehow freed me from feeling bad about it (not completely, but I’m less critical than I was). Of course I can’t expect clothes from shops to fit perfectly, they haven’t been cut to allow for the unique shape of my body. Even with the same measurements people can be different shapes. There’s a great illustration of this in my palmer pletch book.

The blogger had a baby a couple of years ago and hasn’t posted since then, but if you go back through her blog she made her wedding dress and it was phenomenal. Worth a look if you have a few minutes spare.

I like that description of bodies being a series of practical problems to solve @GnomeDePlume. Look at the way we all describe ourselves accurately but not critically. I hated clothes shopping, especially the way that nothing looked good. I hated picking out the least worst option. Now I have a wardrobe full of clothes I’m happy to wear and feel comfortable in.

I’m off to Jersey in two weeks, only 5 nights and only a small cabin bag so I’ve been putting together a capsule wardrobe. For the first time in my life I’ve achieved it!

Ooh @Jins - I’ve just come back from Jersey! Been most years for nearly all my life! It’s slightly better weather than most of the UK. I love too many of my clothes too much to manage to go hand luggage only!

@Sewingdufus first time for me! Trying to tick off a bucket list of places we’ve said we must visit.
I’m better with clothes packing nowadays, think it’s down to mostly holidaying in our caravan where we end up packing an Aldi shopping bag each. It’s the other stuff I struggle with. Electronics, books and medicines are the traditional problem areas but I’m just taking my kindle this time and prescription drugs only.
We’re staying in St Helier but hoping to see lots more

That's a fabulous blog post and I agree with it wholeheartedly. I knit and sew, but only sewing lets me become completely absorbed in what I'm doing. It is great for my mental health (even sewing zips 😬 and I can spend days happily making things. Being able to make things that fit properly has been a revelation and I agree it's done wonders for my body image (although it's coincided with perimenopause and giving less of a toss what people think). I'm so glad I have this skill. I've just run up a Jarrah sweatshirt for a friend and she was amazed and delighted.

Did you manage to get your extra fabric @NutellaEllaElla and tackle your dart your alterations?

when do you find out about your creative writing course- was it you @Storynanny1 good luck.

I’ve got 5m of 4 way stretch jersey fabric in my basket ready for when I submit my dissertation/. I’ve not seen with that fabric before so I’ve been researching best needles and stay tape for the dress I plan to make. All tips welcome.

Was it me? I've applied for an MA @Dellabob123
The Convenor has read my application and wants to have a chat! Eeeeek!

I made a little flex frame pouch at the weekend following a tutorial. I don't like her way of doing the sleeves for the flex frame. It doesn't work with a hinged one.

But it's ok as a guide to what I want to change.

Yes @TragicMuse sorry. Eek, good luck.

what’s a flex frame?

All I've done today is redo DS's turnups on his cargo trousers. One of the advantages of being a family of shortarses is that I have an endless supply of trouser cuff cutoffs to use for patch pockets.
I've turned up countless trousers over the years, even did my dad's last time he visited, in the time it took him to drink a cup of coffee.

What I’d give to do 5.5 hours of sewing. What a dream @NutellaEllaElla glad the dart alteration was a success. Are you following a pattern for your shirt dress? Sounds fab!

I've completed the first draft of my dissertation and going through a re read and painful edit. Needs a lot of work! It’s not going to be finished until end of sept so I really really need to focus…but sewing is such a welcome distraction.

A flex frame is two pieces of metal that snap closed but open easily with pressure at the hinges. Soft glasses cases sometimes have them. They're also known as snap frames I think.

Lovely jacket, @GnomeDePlume but you're going to have to walk around holding it open and showing off your lining!

I could have managed 5.5 hours sewing, today, if my back hadn't had other ideas. That started grumbling at about 3pm.

I am shortening a bridesmaids dress for my daughter. I have cut it (she's tiny and it is floor length so I've had to take off 30cm)

So far so good.
Have practiced a narrow rolled hem on the offcuts (I ❤️ my overlocker) but now have a question: how fo I hide the "tails" that you get at the beginning and end of the hem? Handsew them into the inside?

I'd probably leave long tails and then use a needle to weave them into the hem...

Or else I'd hand-knot them and cut the tails.

What a complete PITA. I hate it when that happens.

@NutellaEllaElla when I’ve had that happen before it was because I made a mistake when making the button placket and didn’t fold the fabric in the right places. Could that be the problem?

I’m making good progress with my Melilot shirt. I decided to be reckless and didn’t make a toile. The shirt turns out to be a bit snug in places, but apart from that it’s a surprisingly good fit. I’m on a health kick anyway, so I reckon it should fit in a couple of weeks or months.

I’m usually a firm believer in toiling everything, but after my last few sewing disasters I just couldn’t motivate myself to sew a toile. Contrary to everyone else on this thread, I don’t find sewing that great for my mental health. It’s more a cycle of overanalysing my fabric & pattern choices, followed by procrastinating once I’ve finally ordered the fabric/ pattern, then when I finally get going disappointment over the fit or mistakes I made while sewing it up, followed by abandoning the project and feeling guilty about all the time & fabric I wasted!

Probably a good thing I have other hobbies besides sewing as I couldn’t face that roller coaster too many times a year 😂 Anyway, I’m relieved that my latest project is running a bit smoother if we ignore the six weeks invested in finding the right fabric.