We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! However well-intentioned, for the safety of other users we ask that you refrain from seeking or offering medical advice. This includes recommendations for medicines, procedures or over-the-counter remedies. Posts or threads found to be in breach of this rule will be removed.📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The sewing thread
Comments
-
Well it's been quiet on here, and that's hardly surprising because nobody in their right minds would start making a new dress a few days before Christmas, would they ... :rotfl:
I had some lovely blue velour, and a pattern which everybody promised was very easy and quick to make. New Look 6298 - what could possibly go wrong?
I have never sown with velour before, and my sewing machine just wouldn't have it. The only bit that really needed to be done on the sewing machine was topstitching the pockets, so that was an evening gone. They were not brilliant, but I thought they'd do. Next day, I started putting the dress together using my overlocker, and I must say it sewed like a dream on there. Unfortunately, I'd already sewn up the side seams before I realised I'd forgotten to put the *#!!*# pockets in!
No matter, I persevered – the other thing I discovered about velour is that it creates incredible amounts of fluff when you cut it or sew it. I had read some reviews of the pattern which said it came up large, but I checked (or I thought I had) that I'd cut the appropriate size. To my dismay, I discovered that the neckline was so wide that it was sliding off my shoulders, clearly it wasn't just going to be a case of taking in the seams a bit. By now, I'd also had a bit of a reality check and I wasn't sure how often I would really use a blue velvet dress other than at Christmas.
This should have had a happy ending. The dress was wide enough to cut a kneelength skirt out of it, I found some elastic to make a waistband and just cut two rectangles, and I had enough fabric left to make a t-shirt to my tried and trusted pattern. Great, a new Christmas outfit and two items that I could use again as separates. Except .... in my zeal to get this finished I clearly got a bit overexcited. At some point when sewing the waistband, I must have caught the top of the skirt. Yes, using the overlocker ... so I cut a hole in it. :rotfl: I'm sure there is a moral to this story!
I do have a lovely blue velvet T-shirt with three-quarter length sleeves, and I think I can probably salvage the skirt although it will be a bit shorter than I wanted, it's only going to be worn with thick tights and boots anyway. It was also great to use my overlocker and have it working so well, I have sometimes struggled with it in the past. Onward and upward, I have lots of sewing plans for the New Year and I'll be sharing the failures as well as the successes on here!Life is mainly froth and bubble: two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.0 -
Oh dear! Talk about learning the hard way. When anyone asks for advice about sewing stretch velvet, my advice is 'don't' so I think you were very brave...and to keep going when things went wrong!. I contemplated making a dress the day before we went on holiday in November and then common sense got hold of me. I managed a top, a l s t shirt and a dress in October, but not happy with t shirt. Sleeves are a bit snug for my taste.[SIZE=-1]"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad"[/SIZE]
Trying not to waste food!:j
ETA Philosophy is wondering whether a Bloody Mary counts as a Smoothie0 -
I love stretch velvet but so tough to sew! I’ve got lots of sewing plans this year too- some including stretch velvet.2019 fashion on a ration 0/66 coupons0
-
Hi everyone
I have decided this year to CS for clothes or make them. I don't normally make my own clothes but I can sew and knit so hopefully I can do this. I have a summer dress all cut out but not sewn from last year, so I will get it out of WIPs and start sewing! Im buying bras, knickers etc but I suppose I could knit socks (not that I have ever done this but Im willing to try!). I have made knickers but they weren't that good and it cost a lot more than buying them!!
Anyway, I will let you know how I get on, I will asking for help!!! but I have a jumper and quilt to finish first and after making the' cut out ' dress I will look through my wardrobe and patterns to see whats needed.
Nannyg£1 a day 2025: £90.00/365 Xmas fund0 -
I will probably try the pattern again, but in something a bit easier to sew ... definitely not velvet, I had no idea it would be so hard so it's good to know I'm not alone!
Nannygladys, I have only recently got back into clothes making. I find Sewingpatternreview.com very helpful when looking at new patterns, obviously it helps if you listen to what they say, if you read my post above! I've also learned lots from YouTube and various bloggers, and from this thread.
I keep thinking I'll make some knickers but haven't got round to it yet.Life is mainly froth and bubble: two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.0 -
Hi Polly, the knickers I made were quite easy as they were part of a kit, but just expensive. I also at some point wouldn't mind having a go at a bra (been watching youtube as well!!!) but again to buy everything it seems again an expensive outlay, especially if it doesn't fit very well. The knicker pattern I will use again at some point but not yet!!
Nannyg£1 a day 2025: £90.00/365 Xmas fund0 -
Latest (sort of) make...we finally have bedroom curtains! Our sash window frame goes right to the ceiling, but I didn't want blinds, so I got some reduced John Lewis William Morris curtains and changed them from pencil pleat to eyelet by unpicking the curtain tape, adjusting the size so they perfectly fit our strangely sized window, and inserting eyelets/grommits in the top.
Ready made eyelet curtains wouldn't have worked as the window goes so high I needed an extra half inch above the eyelets to ensure the light didn't come in over the top. Only took me 4 hours or so, including hand sewing the new hem, so I'm quite pleased.0 -
MandM what a lovely job you've made - think the design is called The Strawberry Thief - it's a classic.Small victories - sometimes they are all you can hope for but sometimes they are all you need - be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle0
-
MandM They look amazing :T0
-
Thanks, I'm so pleased! Only dining room (2 windows) and huge living room bay window to go now...ha!0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 351.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.8K Spending & Discounts
- 244.4K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599.6K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.1K Life & Family
- 257.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards