The sewing thread

Artytarty

Oooh ladies...and gents.. I need advice.
I have bought a nice dress from m and s. Pale blue floral sort of twenties style. The thing is I find the neckline too high. I've unpicked the bias trim it has been hemmed with, its really narrow. And no I will cut down the neckline. The old bias will be too short.
How would you go about this from here on?
Help about cutting and finishing much appreciated.

PollyWollyDoodle

Can you cut a facing from the bits you're cutting off? Otherwise use purchased bias if not, could you find a suitable contrast?

Artytarty

Thanks, no there was not enough from the cut out bit, I only lowered it from the shoulder seam down, the back of the neck was fine but it came round too high across my throat and too prim.
Makes me wonder why I bought the dress! I think I fell in love with the shade of blue and the loose dropped waist and ignored its flaws.

I used narrow purchased binding and am quite pleased with how it has turned out!
I hate facings, flappy things!

PollyWollyDoodle

Glad it worked out, Artytarty.
I have lost my mojo a bit lately, I have a few projects in mind but none of them is very exciting (new sofa cushions ... yes, I've been posting about them for at least a year!). So obviously, the solution was to start some new projects which will join my massive collection of WIPs.

I searched Jaycotts for some possible patterns, they have a sale on at the moment, by the way. Then I signed up to Sewing Pattern Review, it's free to join and that means you can read all the reviews. This helped me narrow down my choices, and I've ordered a skirt, dress and a cardigan pattern as I really want to have another go with knits and my overlocker. And then I raided the piggy-bank and did something I've been planning to do for a while, I went to Goldhawk Road in West London. For the uninitiated, there are about a dozen fabric shops in a small stretch of road and if you Google it, you'll find quite a few sewing bloggers who've written about it.

Oh my word ... the choice was overwhelming, if you are in London or nearby then I definitely recommend a visit, not all of it is cheap and cheerful but I saw Liberty prints for £10.99/m, lots of lovely wax cotton and batik-style prints, no end of stuff for suits, coats etc (that is way out of my skills!). I bought some printed denim, although it's really just a firm cotton imho, for £6.50/m, a lot of lightweight cotton/poly was as low as £4.50/m. I know there are some bargains online but I struggle to buy fabric without actually feeling it, so this was worth it for me even adding on the Tube fare.

At the moment it's all drying on the line as I've remembered to pre-wash it, so as soon as the patterns arrive I am hoping to get started. As with my last make, I am going to take my time and do it in stages.

silvasava

Polly - like you I've lost my mojo too - think it must be the weather
My machine is set up with a small pile of mending/alterations to do - been there for about a week! I also need to source some furnishing fabric to re-do our headboard. Its easy to do as its the width of the bed but about 4ft high - a statement! but its getting a bit grubby where DH leans his head so time for a recover - but can I find anything I like......... will keep looking.

Mumoffourkids

I've not been sewing much either. I did tidy up my sewing table the other day with the intent to sew some bits, but never actually got round to it. I will be sewing tomorrow though after I have done the housework! I have some bits to make some shorts out of for my son who is currently potty training and then I have a jumpsuit to alter into a top and shorts for my daugther's friend. Then I might actually be able to sew something for me!

pws52

My sewing efforts seem to be revolving around repairs for others at the moment.

Three pairs of linen trousers patched between the legs where they had worn thin and about to go holey. Another summer or two’s wear!

Two tops seams restitched/repaired because of manufacturers’ poor quality stitching.
This annoys me as the linen fabric is good quality so why not charge a little bit more for better stitching. Not everyone has the skill to repair.

Came up with a solution to solve the gaping frontage on a friend’s dress. She was very chuffed when it worked.

I enjoy sewing to extend the lives of stuff.
I feel that I am doing my bit to reduce waste!

silvasava

Just added another 4 pairs of cut off's o the pile of alterations that hasn't been touched yet! I'm picky cos I like my cut off's just below my knee and not mid calf! Maybe I'll get round to doing them by the time this lovely weather ends lol.

Laura_Elsewhere

Ten days before we go and visit my mother-out-law... if I get myself really organised, do we think I can convert a few yards of royal-blue cotton into a calf-length skirt, front-buttoning, 3 panels flaring to a swirly hem, good large patch pockets and *either* belt-loops or an elasticated back-waistband and a self half-belt at the front?

I'd need to find in my sewing stuff the thread, the buttons, the waistband stiffening stuff and a spare small buckle... and I have access to a large space for cutting-out on Wednesday morning so if I get everything else organised on Mon/Tuesday then I would know whether to go for it or not...

PollyWollyDoodle

That should be do-able, do you already have a pattern, and is it one you've used before? The buttons are going to take a while. It's the preparation - cutting out, marking, etc that takes the longest.



I'd probably be tempted to just do a simple calf-length skirt with an elastic waistband if time is tight!