The sewing thread

Artytarty

I hadn't heard f Stule Arc so I did a quick Google.
All prices seem to be in $. Are the available in the U.K.? Look to be nice patterns there.

pws52

I haven't heard of Style Arc patterns either but have 'googled' and found them on Amazon.co.uk!

purpleivy

Just catching up a bit here. Where do you normally send your Babylock, Kitty? I wasn't that happy with the service at the previous place. I have been told from another source that the main agent for UK is now in Germany. Very helpful!

I have had one or two problems with looper blockage in the past, at least once necesitating the repair shop! I lost my first wire, but have another now and know where it is. I have become much more diligent about keeping my work surface clear of bits and fluff and also not letting my threads lie down in the bed of fluff!

I too have made the Cashmerette Harrision. Also made a vest tunic hack from the Concord pattern. Well, it was totally hacked, as I didn't face the hem or shape it!

Have a batch of 10 dresses to take in for a customer, best get cracking!

[Deleted User]

purpleivy, my first time back on here for several weeks as I am not sewing at the moment. Sewing seems to be a winter occupation for me, otherwise I would get too frazzled as the garden and allotment need my attention

Re the babylock, there does seem to be quite a few babylock service agents in the uk but it is much too heavy to send anywhere. I have not had to send mine, doing what I did when emptying the stuck looper fixed mine. I intend to clear the looper every so often, with that bit of wire. It wasn`t hard to take the looper out, I just needed to remember how to put it back again. The blade is also easy to change when needed and cleaning was very effective. Seeing as it does not need oiling, then nothing else should go wrong as it is such a robust machine

Grhh that wire is so difficult to find and difficult to get one as a spare. I eventually found mine on the floor but after shoving it through the looper, it has become kinked and looks fragile. If my looper blocks again, then I will undo it and buy a shorter wire via amazon because it will only need to go through the looper itself

I haven`t made harrison yet. Is it nice?

ivyleaf

I really like the look of some of the Style Arc patterns. Thanks jackyann, another company I hadn't heard of

Re sewing with silk - I haven't tried that so far. Do you use French seams?

ETA maryb Sorry to hear about your eyesight I have cataracts forming, but I need new glasses anyway and will be getting those next month, so I'll see if they help a bit before deciding what to do about a new machine - I need one with good lighting. I'll try to manage with my Pfaff for the time being.

Artytarty

My long silk skirt has French seams but for my top I just ran it through the overlocker first.
I'm going to wear the skirt for the first time tonight to an engagement party.

loocyloo

Artytarty wrote: »

Insecurity- does anybody else feel as if there is a big sign on their back saying"homemade"?' When they are wearing their creations?

I think that's one of the reasons I stopped making clothes for myself years ago.


I found the summer dress pattern that I have made LOTS of dresses from in the past ( even my bridesmaids dresses! ( although someone else actually made them! ) and I might have a go at it, IF I can find some fabric I like. Not many places sell fabric around here, and I'm a bit wary of buying fabric online if I haven't seen it first! ( usually buy all my fleece/gingham/polycottons etc online, with no problem ) But then I'm also gong to have to tackle a zip, and the last time I put a zip in was probably the last time I made this dress ... so probably about 17/18 years ago!

maryb

Ivyleaf, I have actually been amazingly lucky with my eyesight. It's true it has been one thing after another but I've had wonderful treatment. My glaucoma was caught early and has been stable for the last 7 years, I was due to have a vitrectomy because I had vitreo macular traction and it spontaneously resolved a week (!!!) before the operation - Every time there is a problem I seem to have been lucky.

It has made me determined never to move away from being in reach of Moorfields, so looks like I never will have that cottage in the country

jackyann

I now do the same as artytarty and run it through the overlocker to neaten the seams, then sew as normal. You just have to be careful with the seam width. I use a 'microtex' needle for sharpness.
Before I had an overlocker I would do the same, with a zig-zag stitch.
My biggest problem with silk is that it can be so slippery that I have to pin so carefully, then re-pin, in order to get it straight. I have a very good steam iron, and I use one of those 'metallic' ironing covers so that I can press really well.

My main reason for making the occasional top in silk is that it hangs so beautifully. The one I mentioned was actually a cheap remnant, but I am about to do a good silk top for a wedding.

Emm-in-a-pickle

The flip side to `does it look home-made` is that you`re unlikely to bump into someone else wearing the same thing!
Even for youngsters who like to follow fashion, there is still a buzz from wearing something `unique`.