The sewing thread

PollyWollyDoodle

Welcome Louise, you sound as if you're learning fast.

No1swimmum, I'm trying to visualise it. I don't think there's a way round it that won't involve some additional fabric, and if the original fabric isn't available, a contrast is probably better than a bad match. I'd lay the 'wrong' piece out and put the pattern (correct way) on top and see if there's an obvious area where you could add fabric to make it big enough to recut the pattern. I hope that makes sense!

silvasava

Just a thought - could the wrong piece be used inside out if the fabric hasn't got an obvious right and wrong side? Otherwise Rosy & Polly's ideas are good - better a contrast than a bad match.

Laura_Elsewhere

kathrynha wrote: »

I feel I need a tailors dummy, but to get one to suit my body shape is stupidly expensive

Where I am in Telford there is a local "craft group" of women who meet in a local chapel-hall on a Wednesday morning, and last year funds stretched to buying a plus-size tailors' dummy for us all to use, an adjustable one at that.

Maybe there is a local group for you - you might have to pay to join a class or something, but it wouldn't be much. I pay a full monthly sub to my lot, £25/month, but as it's my main social contact as well, and also helps keep the hall as a community space rather than its becoming des.res. housing, we think it's worth that.

[Deleted User]

I have a body form and I padded it to my own shape, it took me a long time and a lot of determined grit as it was so boring to do. I used a curved needle and put a stretch cover over the top, with an inserted zip down the back because figures change. Then I put tape around bust, waist and hips. I covered it so it is hidden and she wears a stuffed bra. I have never used it for making my dresses or tops but I will. It is so realistic that I won`t be leaving it to the removals men if/when I move

I have two large full length standing mirrors in that room, on secure stands and with chains so they don`t collapse. I placed them in a corner at right angles to each other and they are very useful, much more used than the dress form. I had to measure myself and that was difficult but I bought a craftsy class that showed me how to do it and I also bought
http://stores.islandersewing.com/measuring-made-easy/

Now I can measure every bit of myself. It started with the Linda Lee class on craftsy called `fitting solo` I would give that lady 10/10, she is a fab teacher

Laura_Elsewhere

I did a much more bodged job than you! I have my slender Gran's dummy, and I am not slender, so I swathed it in muslin holding layers of soft-toy polyester kapok stuffing, and then just draped and pinned some cheap synthetic tartan cloth onto it, using the lines as horizontals and verticals and matching the plaid ( ) and shoved more kapok in at top, bottom and armholes and chest opening, before pinning it all closed again.

It isn't perfect but it's much better than it was!

I almost never use bought patterns. I tend to sketch on paper, calculate distances and draft that onto squared paper to ensure it will all fit onto the fabric, and then chalk and cut fairly freehand. It sounds very skilled but in reality it has some real comedy moments - I sympathise with the A-level student mentioned upthread as I have done that, cut two left-hand skirt-panels with none left for cutting again (solution there was cutting each in two and being able to bodge it).

tootallulah

My sewing room is too much of a mess to sew in so I am making a big effort to clear up, clear out and sort it ready for making some new tops for the summer.

[Deleted User]

overlocker bargain

I highly rate this company and have bought some big items from them

https://www.gursewingmachines.com/jaguar-supa-lock-486-overlocker-27358?utm_source=GUR+Subscribers&utm_campaign=4988f71477-27.1.18_JAN_SALE_FREE_SEWING_BOX_OFFER&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cbb4194c38-4988f71477-9318645&mc_cid=4988f71477&mc_eid=18157c9a79

[Deleted User]

I didn`t realise that they sell crafting stuff. I just bought some russian dolls to paint and varnish, everything supplied. Perfect for my grandaughters for christmas or birthday. I am chuffed, I know they will love them. PnP was free. I also didn`t know that they sell fabrics and their clearance sewing machines are very cheap, I think from £69, again perfect for a sewing child or learner adult

PollyWollyDoodle

Wow, some real bargains on sewing machines there. I've never heard of this site before.

silvasava

Evening All - well I cut out one of my Dodgers and used a scrap piece of canvas to test the machine and the tension etc.
Cue one machine being dismantled!!! It's a heavy duty machine that was mine, passed to my mum and then on to my Godmother after mum died (16 years ago) I don't think it had been cleaned or oiled since I had it! Running well now and one Dodger made. I'd ordered heavy thread to sew them but it came on a plastic cone that was too big to go on the machine. Rewinding it all wasn't an option as the thread was really springy - LBM I replaced the spool holder on the machine with an old plastic knitting needle - plenty long enough to hold the cone and it works.
My Godmother is in her late 80's and although she gave the machine back to me she'd forgotten the foot control and any of the accessories. I managed to get a foot control from my local hospice craft shop a few months ago but today realised I'd only one plastic bobbin that didn't look too great. A quick trip to the craft shop turned up two lovely metal bobbins and two zipper feet - one wide and one narrow all for £3.50 the lot!!!
A productive day all in all