The sewing thread

[Deleted User]

Have a nice break Polly and arty, very well done, pat on the back, no wonder you are chuffed

It is such luxury for me to leave everything out, in a room upstairs. In the past it was always dining table and then clearing away to eat. Maybe that is why I am getting finished more quickly as I don`t have to stop and cook. I did a bit this evening, slept on it last night as wasn`t sure about the extra width I put in the hips. I decided `nothing ventured` and re-cut the hips and waist down to the pattern 16, just had a bit of extra sewing to do but was worth it as it fits very nicely now. It has splits on the sides and I have decided not to put buttons on but quickly put two pockets on instead. It is going to be a useful top this winter and is ready to wear now

Machines and floor cleaned and I have got to make myself sit and knit. I have a knitting wip, which will only take three days or so. I have to sit on my hands, gosh sewing is so addictive

elf06

Yesterday was a game of 2 halves for me. Very excited that my latest fabric bundle arrived and then it all went a little to pot.
Washed all fabrics (separating lights and darks) on a 15 min wash. Still pretty damp so put back in to spin and took straight out only to discover coloured splodges on one of the fabrics very unhappy as it was to be lining for a lovely wool blend bag! Managed to get it back to its original colour (thanks ace bleach) then went to hang out on line to find holes in one of the fabrics. I'll drop them a message as it cannot see how it was me. Just wish I'd checked them properly before washing! THEN, and this is all down to me, when I went to bring it in I discovered a throw ish attached to one of the nice fine materials.
Came to the conclusion this parcel was not meant to be haha.
Today is a new day though and the opening of the new shop so I'll be getting organised and taking my stick down this morning - super excited!!

silvasava

I'm so excited!! Noticed yesterday a new fabric shop has just opened in the small town up the road from me. Am trying to get in to have a look today. I think it will be mainly curtain fabrics but hoping they also do dress fabrics too. Will report back!! Think I may have a couple of projects to do for a friend - drapes for a kidney shaped dressing table I gave her and some cushion pads for her dining chairs. Hav'n't seen the chairs yet so not sure what will be involved or whether my skills will be up to it. We shall see.

TraySelect

Well I spent a couple of hours last night looking through all the bookmarks I've harvested from reading this great thread.

I've ordered 'The Maker's Atelier' book, with patterns, to get some more projects lined up.

I coveted the truly gorgeous fabrics Merchant & Mills sell, and almost bought their Workbook [also of patterns] but will wait and see for the moment.

Fabrics-hemmers - also great fabrics. Thanks again to Kittie for that one.

Has anyone used any Merchant & Mills patterns?

elf06

Hello you lovely lot - sorry for my rant earlier!

I need some assistance. I bought a dress yesterday. Its a lovely bell sleeve dress in bright fabric but there is no give in it and I've discovered its a little tight around the bust! Or perhaps if I'm being honest far too tight around the bust! It fits ok everywhere else. Now there is a slit opening on the back neck part with a small button to hold it closed at neckline but what, if anything, can I do to make it fit round the bust? Can that slit be made longer? Although I don't know if I want my bra on show....
Also you'll have to talk slowly to me in small words haha I am self taught and find all the sewing words a tad scary!!

Thanks in advance xx

Artytarty

Hi Elf,more info please!
Any darts in your dress around the waist or bust area?
Nothingnhandy like a self fabric belt?
Might it be possible to,sacrifice a couple of inches off the length to give you something to,let in?
Do you like the corset look?- people sometimes remove a zip and lace up the back off a dress zig zag style.

Are your sleeves fullish around the top part, it might be possible to lower the armscye(pit) and harvest some sleeve into the area.
I don't know if any of that makes sense but I'm sure other more lucid
Posters will have ideas too!

elf06

There are no darts or anything, no belt no elastic and absolutely no give in the material. It's actually fairly simple style wise . I'll take photos if that would help?

I plan to wear it more as a top over leggings so losing an inch or so wouldn't be a problem. I don't think I'd like lacing but not totally against it if no other option .
Sleeves are fairly neat at top.

I really like the dress so if like to make it wearable or at least try to even if it goes a little wrong

[Deleted User]

I saw your post earlier elf and have been thinking about it, knowing that arty would have some ideas. Perhaps a minimiser bra would help? Unless you want to expose more of your back then you will have to add fabric, a contrast, say a v or u addition to the neck area, to make a feature or perhaps undo the back seam down to the waist or below and add two lengths of contrast fabric and re=sew. you could put bits of contrast elsewhere to make it look designed. You will have to add facing to the contrast or do a complete neckline with new facing like a simple bia band in contrast. Or add a length of contrast to the side seams from the armhole down, which I think is really the easiest option. You are going to have to be careful to get just about the same type of fabric and long enough to go down the sides

Artytarty

I was thinking along those lines Kittie, would it be tricky to do the side seam let in? How would you make the sleeve fit the now longer armhole?
I think I'd slash it right down the back and set in a piece, either contrast, in which case I might also go round the hem, with it to look designed or set in a strip taken from the length you've cut off to make it tunic length even if the grain is going the other way.
New neck facing shouldn't be too hard .
Is it patterned or plain?

silvasava

I was going to suggest the same as Kittie - a piece of V shaped fabric let in to the sideseams under the arms would seem to be the simplest option and less obtrusive.