The Sewing Room (part 2)

MandM90

PixieDust wrote: »

I have begun my foray into clothesmaking with the Walkaway dress. It's taking me a LOT longer than the four hours estimated but it's coming along nicely, and made up of only four fabric pieces. If you choose to have a go at it there is a wonderful YouTube video by Debbie Shore thst I used to help . It's a Butterick pattern, I can't remember the number but it's v famous, you will find it easily.

Thanks PixieDust, I might just try that. I'm going to pop up to my local sewing shop today to see if they have it (if not I'll order online) and have a look at some fabric. I'm excited :j

Savvy_sewing

One of my pupils did the walk away dress. The complicated part is the fact that you are sewing binding all around the dress and you need to be very careful to keep the stitching straight or it looks awful.
YesButterick sell it, but I can't remember the pattern number as I'm not in the shop until tomorrow.
If you have problems getting patterns let me know, PM me.
The dress is also in the Sewing Bee's own sewing book, but it is about £25 new. I bought it when it first came out as it was the talk of the lessons at that time. My 8 year olds have made the elasticated sundress from there, and it's inspired them to make shorts etc too.

MandM90

I've just been up to my local sewing and fabric shop. I walked away £20 lighter and with a New Look easy dress pattern, cotton for my dress, interfacing, an invisible zip (this is the part I'm nervous about!!), tracing wheel, fabric pencils.

Very excited! I'm going to wash and iron my fabric whilst OH is at work and when he gets in he can help me measure myself

PixieDust

You are brave re zip, good luck!!!!

Savvy_sewing

https://youtu.be/ry11V371R4c How to do an invisible zip.

MandM90

I'd better pop back and get an invisible zip foot!

Can anyone recommend some lovely places to find fabric? I find most of the online shops old fashioned and uninspiring, though I have found some lovely ones on 'dragonfly fabrics' and of course lusted over liberty fabrics.

PixieDust

For cottons I use Doughty's who ate just wonderful, really personal service and if you get chance to go to their warehouse it's to die for.

For polycottons and cheaper stuff for practicing I use Oh Sew Crafty.

A quick Google will bring up both, and Oh Sew Crafty are also on ebay

Savvy_sewing

MandM90 wrote: »

I'd better pop back and get an invisible zip foot!

Can anyone recommend some lovely places to find fabric? I find most of the online shops old fashioned and uninspiring, though I have found some lovely ones on 'dragonfly fabrics' and of course lusted over liberty fabrics.

The foot makes life a little easier, but you can do it -carefully- with the ordinary zip foot, but it's tricky keeping the zip unraveled, and fingers are very close to the needle, so it's more hazardous.

You don't have to put in invisible zips just because the pattern has one. You can still sew in an ordinary zip. There are various methods but the stitching will show.

MandM90

Mooloo wrote: »

The foot makes life a little easier, but you can do it -carefully- with the ordinary zip foot, but it's tricky keeping the zip unraveled, and fingers are very close to the needle, so it's more hazardous.

You don't have to put in invisible zips just because the pattern has one. You can still sew in an ordinary zip. There are various methods but the stitching will show.

I've seen videos of how to do it without a foot...I believe the jist is to help the machine feed it under the foot. I might just be brave and try. The fabric I bought was only about £3 a metre on sale, so I won't cry if it goes pete tong :rotfl:

MandM90

PixieDust wrote: »

For cottons I use Doughty's who ate just wonderful, really personal service and if you get chance to go to their warehouse it's to die for.

For polycottons and cheaper stuff for practicing I use Oh Sew Crafty.

A quick Google will bring up both, and Oh Sew Crafty are also on ebay

Thanks Pixie Dust...Doughty's sell Liberty fabric at £14.99 a metre which is quite a saving really!! One day I hope to be good enough to be able to spend that on a dress fabric