The sewing thread

[Deleted User]

woo hoo HuH, can you post a link to the pattern?

Skirt is done and is A1 tbh. Love it, makes me look sleek and fits perfectly with much movement left in the waist band, having made it 5" less than actual waist. My stitch ripper got a fair bit of work but only mistakes that I won`t make again. I want to make another and know I have an appropriate length of similar fabric, can`t find it yet but I will

Looking through my stashes, I have two dress lengths of stretchies left, one is slightly heavier and black background with multicolours of splodges, all bright, that is definitely going to be long sleeve trapeze for autumn. The other is white background, slightly crepey with bright red roses and also for a dress but don`t know ahich style yet. Maybe a bit more fitted with crossover at the tum area as I am losing weight, through having this sewing addiction. 5 lb gone so far

The rest of my stash seems to be mainly t shirt type fabrics, a lot of them and some multi coloured though most plain. That`ll probably be sewing for next summer, apart from a couple of long sleeved tops. Got them from this site
https://www.girlcharlee.co.uk/

After dealing with thin heavy viscose stretchies, these t shirt fabrics are going to be a piece of cake

[Deleted User]

local radio, such a good cheerful companion while sewing, it adds to the enjoyment factor. Sunday evening, sat in my sewing room, radio on and quietly traced my size in top64 (M&M).Glad I did it as I hadn`t realised it has raglan sleeves, will make it easier and good with thicker fabrics. The only alteration was to take 3.5" off the sleeve length by drawing a line 1/3 of the way up, cutting the pattern lower down and raising and sticking, then a bit of paper inserted and new lines drawn. Reason for tracing is that I will be using that pattern many times. Did it on swedish paper

I have the perfect stash for that first top 64, its a very nice quality light-navy fine needlecord and is warm, it oozes quality, can`t remember where I got it from but it was more than 8 years ago and probably from croft. Was so pleased to measure the fabric finding that I have enough. A nice hole appeared in my stash. I don`t remember pre-washing that so its destined for that today

Today I am basically cutting out and putting parcels of cutouts and patterns together. Another package is a pale green seersucker and luckily I have 3 m. That is going to be a kimono type gown, neiper would call it a peignoir. It happens to be a perfect colour to go with my ordered new nightie fabric, also needs to be pre-washed. Pattern for the nightie is B, the red one. Thes old patterns were very size limited and the one I have is L and XL. I`ll make L
https://sewdirect.com/acatalog/Butterick-6838.html

The wrap is the green one at the back
https://www.minervacrafts.com/shop/sewing/patterns/butterick-5963-m-butterick-ladies-easy-sewing-pattern-5963-dressing-gown-pyjamas-sleepwear

I won`t be using the patterns much so will cut them straight off the paper pattern. I remember buying that last pattern because I wanted a lovely silk nightie, I still have that length of silk, its heavy in a deep bright turquoise and will make a blouse this winter as it will be a time consuming project. Neither pattern has been opened, I am happy to use two new patterns from my stashes.

I did start making a guide for myself, in an old hard back A4 cash book. Listed all my machine accessories, patterns with a quick description and into which numbered box I put them. Now I am listing all my new fabrics with the composition and length and am also listing my made pieces with a couple of comments. I am going to put a red tick by any pattern number that I think is successful and would re-use. I am already using it to find patterns and machine feet. I haven`t catalogued my older fabric stashes yet but tbh it will be good to do so, rather than standing on steps and rooting ie making a mess

I have very few dress patterns in my stash of patterns but I do have
https://www.stylearc.com/shop/sewing-patterns/libby-dress/

it looks as though it will hide my tum and float over my hips, so that will be cut out in the knit stretch fabric, white with bright red and black roses. It says woven, rayons etc but it will work. The whole dress will be the one fabric. I`ll have to check the pattern measurements first and use a rotary blade. I was quicker with that blade yesterday for trapeze, standing right over the blade helps but I have to concentrate or I cut slithers off the patterns

Today I will end up with 4 cut out bundles complete with patterns, then I will be able to tidy up downstairs trapeze, libby dress, wrap and top 64

Hard_Up_Hester

Here is the pattern I'm using for the jacket, very simple and straightforward. https://www.sewessential.co.uk/misses-dress-tunic-trousers-shorts-simplicity-sewing-pattern-3799
I'm making one in lace and one in voile.
I shan't get much sewing done today, too many other calls on my time.

PollyWollyDoodle

Thank you both for posting those pattern links. I find it hard to know what will suit me, I'm reluctant to try a shape or style that isn't already in my wardrobe. Love that dress Kittie, and the jacket looks really useful HUH - I am large busted and I prefer to have a cardigan or jacket over t-shirts, but it's too hot for that at the moment. I don't think my skills are up to lace or voile yet, though!

For anyone lurking who's thinking of getting a first sewing machine, John Lewis has the basic £99 'starter' machine reduced to £65 which is a real bargain. It was my first machine and is perfect for beginners.

I bought some fabric in their sale last week and the assistant apologised for not folding it very neatly. I told her not to worry as I'd be washing it anyway before I used it. 'Oh, really?' she asked - which tells me she knows nothing about sewing! Time was, an assistant in their haberdashery department would have been able to advise you on all sorts of things and even help you work out how much fabric you'd need. *nostalgic sigh*

Artytarty

Does all fabric require pre washing? Gulp.
I'll do it it's old fabric from the stash but not generally-read-ever- with brand new stuff! Oops. That'll be one big black novice sewing mark to me then!

rosie51

Hard_Up_Hester wrote: »

Here is the pattern I'm using for the jacket, very simple and straightforward. https://www.sewessential.co.uk/misses-dress-tunic-trousers-shorts-simplicity-sewing-pattern-3799
I'm making one in lace and one in voile.
I shan't get much sewing done today, too many other calls on my time.

That is such a nice simple pattern and will look rather lovely when it as been made up. I

rosie51

Kittie,
You really put me to shame as i love to sew but i have lost my mojo over the last few as regards making stuff for myself. I have a large tum and a biggish chest. So finding suitable patterns is difficult at times. I am 5ft 1in and clothes can swamp me, i stay away from dresses as i feel fat in them so skirts/tops are the staple of my wardrobe.
I am 66 and don't do old lady, i'm a leggings girl as i like to be comfortable and i dress them up or down to suit depending where i am going. I may have a go at making some as i have a nice pattern.

[Deleted User]

lovely multi-use pattern HuH, really is so nice

Rosie, it doesn`t sound like it but my mojo only came back recently, it went away for many years and the reason I am hooked is that I found patterns that suit me and that turn out to fit me. I am under 5` and much too heavy with dumpy legs so haven`t worn a dress for many many years because I could not get any to fit and in which I would not feel self conscious, I am almost 70 and its now kind of like, so I show my legs, so what! If I stand upright with my hands stretched up then my tummy looks thinner, that is how much the bits travel south and create a dumpy look as you get older. Trouble is that it creeps on us and takes many by surprise

I am having a break from re-writing my messy sewing notebook/catalogue, I spent hours this morning taking every bit of stash out and measuring it, they will be easier to find in my book. I have much stash and some cheap cotton knits that lost their substance after pre-washing, they are destined only for slips and camisoles, well hidden cheapness under some coating to make them seem thicker. Cotton with a hint of spandex, they even look a bit bobbly, don`t like them or their handle

Those were the days Polly, a haberdashers on every road

Yes arty re washing, its very important. I have two lengths hanging out now, inside out as it is baking sunny, stops it bleaching much. This morning I turned three washed lengths the right way around and ironed them after getting the straight grain, makes it much easier to get the grain as it can distort. Washing sorts it all out before cutting, the shrinkage and the grain. No arty, no black mark, its called learning. I never used to wash my fabrics in the old days until I learned the hard way

I was pretty well ecstatic that I had chosen a particular fabric, they always look and feel a bit different before washing as they often have an artificial finish on them. This one is linen/cotton and will make a different M&M dress, I have the shirt dress pattern so maybe that one. The weave slightly opened up and it is very right for boho
https://www.croftmill.co.uk/products/fabric-by-colour/coral/cream-floral-linen-mix-dress-fabric-product.html

I am liking this one too, ironed it and it has a lovely feel with a very slight sideways stretch. It looks good after the pre-wash and is good value. Still has that firmer handle, not sloppy
https://www.croftmill.co.uk/products/fabric-by-width/fabrics-by-width-130cm-51-143cm56/floral-cotton-spandex-dress-fabric-product.html

Two new patterns came yesterday, indie again. I`ll post details later as I want to finish my notes

rosie51

Kittie you must be my long lost twin.

[Deleted User]

you never know Rosie

my 2 new patterns
http://www.backstitch.co.uk/liesl-and-co-gallery-tunic-and-skirt-printed-paper-sewing-pattern

http://www.backstitch.co.uk/sew-liberated-esme-top

looks as though they will hide a multitude of sins and easy to sew

I do have very many patterns, now catalogued and most are tops, so next stage is to do another sort of them but I have to be in the right mood

I am gathering together some fabrics and patterns, already have four on my kitchen table, the aim now is to cut out and bundle them separately, so I can easily pick a bundle out when I want to sew. I cannot see my mad whizz mojo lasting too much longer, I want to go on my bike again and need some rest time so will have to slow sewing down soon and get my cycle legs back again. I think I will easily get 8 bundles cut and ready and then I`ll have to stop