The Sewing Room

Mrs_Money

Just asking if anyone has any recommendations as to where to buy bean bag filling? A friend is making a small toddler sized bean bag for a Christmas gift and had hoped to make a "boyfriend" sized one - but we are both horrified at the cost of the polystyrene beads - even from Ebay!
Any ideas - we'd be grateful as time is running out!

Justamum

Mrs_Money wrote: »

Just asking if anyone has any recommendations as to where to buy bean bag filling? A friend is making a small toddler sized bean bag for a Christmas gift and had hoped to make a "boyfriend" sized one - but we are both horrified at the cost of the polystyrene beads - even from Ebay!
Any ideas - we'd be grateful as time is running out!

If you're looking for the tiny polystyrene balls they're quite reasonable from Wilkinsons. I bought some for my daughter a couple of years ago when she needed some for her GCSE Textiles project. They do mail order if you can't find them in your local shop.

Mrs_Money

Thanks! I'll give them a look!

randm

Are their any books or sites out there that give advice on alternating clothes to fit? I have found that there is advice for altering patterns but not for ready made clothes.i am a complete beginner to sewing but after watching the great british sewing bee have got two blouses from a charity shop, one slightly tight on the bust, (wondering if unpicking the bust darts will make it looser) and the other a size too big, yet again thinking I could sew a new seam inside the seam line or do I take in the darts at the bottom front and back.no idea, and perhaps being a bit ambitious, so would love a book that advises on these things. I am sure a professional would unpick the existing seams and alter that way.any help appreciated!

rufusdog52

randm, not too sure about how to make the bust bigger, its quite a hard job unless there is a big seam allowance. You could always try unpicking the darts and trying it on, or make the darts a bit smaller by tacking them together first and trying on.

It is a lot easier to make clothes smaller, I have been doing this the past three months as I lost over 5 stones since last winter and most of my clothes don't fit me. I have undone the side seams on tops and pinned then tacked a new seam and tried it on first to make sure it looks ok as some may have a pocket or something on the front which should come in a certain place and when you take the sides in it would move over. If the top is plain then you should have no problem.

If it has sleeves then take the sleeves out first, and cut a new armhole the same shape as what was there but if you are taking an inch out of sides then move sleeve over inch as well.

Dont forget that what ever you take out of one side piece as in front separated from back with be times four when finished so if you cut off one inch on side fronts and side backs the garment will be four inches smaller all round. If you only need to take it in an inch smaller all round then just cut 1/4 inch off each piece.

Hope that makes sense. If you need help pm me xx

pennib

wow, rufus that is good going losing all that weight. Well done.

rufusdog52

pennib wrote: »

wow, rufus that is good going losing all that weight. Well done.

Thanks Pennib xx

pennib

The 'Duchess' has been received in her new home so I can post a photo of her now. She is tucking into tea and scones as I type!

rufusdog52

Excellent as usual, what are you going to do with the dolls, are you keeping them or are they being sold?

Nichelette

These are my most recent projects, a baby blanket and a Christmas garland, though that's quite loosley sewing related lol. I love the little robins!