The sewing thread

[Deleted User]

polly, craftsy send out sales e mails on a regular basis. I think that class cost about £19 in a sale. I bought lots of classes and all were in sales and I love the fact that I can watch them years later

Re sewing machines, I bought a good sewing machine for a grandughter of 8 who was keen to learn, a machine that will grow with her and perform well. From GUR in one of their sales, a janome that does a few fancy stitches and it is a good solid make
https://www.gursewingmachines.com/sewing_machines/janome

My two blankets are finished and took much longer than I expected, problem of course was fitting two different types of fabric together, one was a slightly felted wool with a bit of sideways stretch and the other a crisply woven but flexible vintage cotton with no give at all. I took great care with fitting together and used many pins. The walking foot was invaluable and I managed to get the stretchy side sewn to the cotton, with maybe half an inch of movement. It helped to not use the sewing machine table but to keep the fabric eased over the edge with stretchy one on top and directly under the walking foot. All done, took two sessions and I have a fantastic result, I suppose I could call them comforters rather than blankets. I now have quite a bit of this cotton fabric left and would really like to make a skirt with it as it is so multi coloured and would go with all the tops I am going to make from yarn I have yet to spin.I hope I can get enough length pieces out of it.

Tomorrow I am going to clean my machine as it took quite a battering. Then next job is definitely to sort out a skirt pattern to fit me. I have components ready for several bags but will have to leave them for a few days, visitors coming

Enjoy the adventure `loveknittingsocks` The first thing I had my gdd make was a set of table mats. Woven fabric, stitched all around and picked the edges out to fray them. Aprons are also easy, 2 pieces, r side to r side with tapes sewn in between and a pocket on the front

loocyloo

I made all the curtains for my new house about 15 years ago ... we've moved house twice since then, and one pair of curtains still in use! DH keeps asking when I'm going to sort them out ( they are a bit short for full length window! ) and can I make some other curtains for XYZ ...


NO NEVER AGAIN! I HATED making the curtains! far too much fabric to deal with and get it hanging straight, and get heading tape on properly. URGH!


I've bought several pairs of curtains, but frequently have to buy 2 sets to hang in pairs, as all our windows seem to be bigger than shops think !!! I'd rather have black out roller blinds everywhere, but DH doesn't agree :0( I find that when you take down curtains to wash/move etc, you seem to get much more light in a room through the window and it always seems a shame to reduce the light by putting them back up. Sadly, you can't get roller blinds to go round bay windows! ( and I think roman blinds take away even more light! )

PollyWollyDoodle

I've just made two reversible sun hats from this Oliver and S free pattern - I don't think I can manage to post a photo, but it's a very easy pattern and I recommend it.

I didn't actually plan to make two hats. I made one, and then realised it was huge and that I'd misread the instructions and cut out the 3-5 year old size. My friend's baby is only one :mad: luckily it was even quicker to make the second time!

[Deleted User]

oh that is lovely polly

I had a dress, hanging on the back of a door for two years, thin light beige linen fabric from ebay, originally bought to make my husband summer shirts, bought 3 years ago. Unfinished as it was just going to be a `muslin` ie a tryout with cheap fabric. Short sleeves and all hems were unfinished, however I had made a neat interfaced neck. The pattern photography is awful from that site but the clothes have a good folowing amongst a certain `set` and I am sure sell for a lot of money in boutique shops with the right accessories. Straight up and down with a flare, side seams and a back seam, no zip. I tried it on in the heat yesterday and it was awesomely cool, I quickly finished it this morning and it is ready to wear, however I will never wear this outside as the colour is not me, too insignificant, however I will make it again in a striking linen, if I can find one, one day

The pattern is called the trapeze and honestly all their patterns look like shapeless sacks but they are very wearable as in comfortable and were the sort that factory girls used to make to wear. The site is
http://merchantandmills.com/store/

I just ordered top64, I can see me making several of these
https://drapersdaughter.com/blogs/news/97820742-pattern-review-merchant-and-mills-the-top-64

and I have to say that I have several of their patterns, easy peasy to make and good quality paper patterns.

This morning I bought one 2m length of very good quality and expensive cotton fabric for a skirt. I`ll be selective about which of my patterns I use and have no plan to make it for this year, hence no rush

amazon have a bargain two book bundle of merchant and mills books, The workbook which contains 6 full size patterns and their sewing book, which I will read then give to a grandaughter. The two cost me 24.99 plus pnp. A real bargain and the reviews are good. That is the cost of just two MM patterns. Oh, I am stash increasing again

fuddle

top64 looks just my style. It reminds of of a smock top and I do like it longer as a dress. I've bookmarked the site kittie, thanks for sharing.

[Deleted User]

I`m going to make that top, my next project. I`m going to do those easy pockets and I`ll shorten the body as I am short, the sleeves will be long and the neckline is just right for layering with something underneath, or not. I really like it and have ordered exactly the same fabric as it actually looks like a rustic weave of dark greys. Robert Kaufman fabrics are always good. Its going to be a multi use top for me and I love the dress length version too

I have more thinner linens, shirt weight, hanging in a wardrobe. Think I`ll dig out an MM pattern for a top as they are all loose with no fastenings. I`ll only need interfacing of which I have loads and thread. Bet I start tomorrow

[Deleted User]

I know that linen is the best fabric for conducting heat away, rather than holding it in. Much better than silk, which insulates. So I am now wearing my trapeze dress and can`t believe but I love it. Was perturbed at first to see that the back hem was lower than the front hem but looking on pinterest, that is the way it is meant to be. I`ve got to get out of this mindset of straight lines and even hems

I have put on a heavy pendant, which goes down to my waist and that gives enough definition, so yes I am well pleased and will make this dress in a slightly heavier linen next time as I am having to wear a half slip, just in case anyone sees the outline of my legs today :rotfl:

MandM90

PollyWollyDoodle wrote: »

I've just made two reversible sun hats from this Oliver and S free pattern - I don't think I can manage to post a photo, but it's a very easy pattern and I recommend it.

I didn't actually plan to make two hats. I made one, and then realised it was huge and that I'd misread the instructions and cut out the 3-5 year old size. My friend's baby is only one :mad: luckily it was even quicker to make the second time!

I love this pattern - was making them for refugees earlier this year and they looked great despite my dodgy 'sports stitching' around the rim

[Deleted User]

I just made a skirt from scratch, a simple lightweight pull on, cut on the bias. Black background and masks
http://www.bstfabrics.co.uk/100-cotton-black-carnival-masks-100-printed-cotton-150cm-wide-fabric-material-30341-p.asp

just two pieces, whizzed with overlocker, pressed top and bottom and some straight stitching. 1 cm elastic
skirt A on the left. I wear the top regularly, different fabric, made it with short sleeves and v neck, so a worthwhile and extremely easy pattern. 2 hours to make the skirt
https://www.bonanzamarket.co.uk/listings/Kwik-Sew-3003-Misses-Skirts-and-Tops-Size-XS-S-M-L-XL/339633355?goog_pla=1&gpid=18283950120&keyword=&goog_pla=1&pos=1o2&ad_type=pla&gclid=CjwKEAjwsqjKBRDtwOSjs6GTgmASJACRbI3fswNDeiA7DXIlO4VhNi2S1_J1_9rq_nsymZzRcI2jxhoCybLw_wcB


MM pattern came today from drapers daughters, my first order from them and am very impressed, ordered yesterday. They sent me a money off voucher and some lovely swatches.

When doing a kon marie of my sewing room, I arranged patterns in different numbered boxes and made lists under different heading ie tops in one box. I was able to go straight to the MM patterns that I have and they are trapeze, factory dress and dress shirt. I really like the swatches a lot and I think I am going down that kind of route in future but only after I have sorted my existing fabric stash. Next make will be that new top in the same thin beige linen as a muslin and I found some drapey heavier very bright printed cotton with a bit of stretch, another trapeze dress.

rosie51

Kittie, Love the patterns, the skirt and top are the basic type of items in my wardrobe.
Well done.:j:j:j