The sewing thread

purpleivy

Unfortunately Singer sewing machines aren't what they were!

queengoth

Thank you for the heads up re Lidl Silvasava , I just had to bin my last Lidl machine (lasted about 6 years) but I was midway through new upholstery for my van. I could do without spending a lot a the moment and this fits the bill nicely.

maryb

My sewing tutor rates the Lidl Singer machines (overlocker and sewing machine though it looks like they have only got sewing machines this time) and has bought some for the workshops she offers from home if that's any help. Because they sell so many, they are a slightly higher spec than you would normally get for that price. But having said that, no, they are not as good as a Bernina. Mind you, neither are today's Berninas. I dread the day the motherboard goes on my Bernina 1130 30 years old this year

PollyWollyDoodle

I've bought quite a bit of Lidl overlocker thread in the past (a couple of weeks after the 'event' it was reduced) so I'm pleased to hear it's good.

Laura you sound as if you're doing very well, I am on a similar track of trying to learn new techniques as I tackle things. I'm still a bit scared of French seams, any tips? I'm always worried they'll be too bulky.

I'm planning to cut out the dress when it's cooler later. I thought the muslin was too tight and I'd have to enlarge the pattern but once I'd put buttons and buttonholes in the muslin, it's a perfect fit so I'm very excited about starting it now.

Laura_Elsewhere

I think the trick that makes the difference with French seams is: after sewing the first seam, wrong sides together, press the two raw-edges to one side of the line of stitching. Then trim them, and then stitch the second line, right sides together.

Somehow that quick pressing seems to settle the seam and make the two seam allowances behave!

Oh, and also French seams are really only for lingerie fabrics - anything heavier than a light cotton and it isn't really suitable. For heavier things, like skirts, I like bound seams, which are also a way to make something look either incredibly smart and tailored on the inside, or really pretty, or even just really cheerful on a sombre work outfit!
Basically, cut the pieces, and then use bias binding or, on straightish edges, I use narrow 1/4-inch organza ribbon in various colours. Simply bind the raw edges as you would for a bound neckline or armhole; then sew the seam as normal, and you end up with no raw edges, and lovely colourful or toning or contrasting or pretty or zingingly-bright seam-bindings on the inside!

Wraithlady

I'm just hemming a top and then I'm finished - the short-sleeved version of the keyhole blouse by Simple Sew. It's a nice, easy sew with a remnant of polka-dot cotton I bought yonks ago - and I have enough for another top! As long as I remember that 11pm on a Sunday is NOT a good time to start cutting a pattern out!

PollyWollyDoodle

Thanks for the tip about seam finishing. I don't think we ever did things like this when I learned to sew! I've Googled it and there are several tutorials, it sounds like a lot of work, though.

As this dress is a shirtwaister it has a front facing which is folded in, so I think I will bind the edge of the facing, then if the facing is visible, say at hem level, it will look nice. I'm just going to overlock the other raw edges.

Haven't even cut it out yet, last night was just too hot to do anything.

purpleivy

Well, not got any further with the tropical fish shirt, but have been to get a new overlocker today. Just now need to sell old machine and the old overlocker! Got a good deal with deposit and IF credit for a year. Makes it manageable.

Made really good progress with the work stuff, just a couple of things left to do. July has been a good month, so might leave the things till Aug as they are non urgent!

Laura_Elsewhere

Grrr, that thing where your mother-out-law makes nasty comments about your shorts...

I am working on the principle that she almost certainly meant I "look awful" in any shorts because of my size and shape - she seemed not to comprehend that my sky-blue silk skirt (which she beamed in approval of, next evening) is no use for scrambling around climbing small cliffs, splashing about knee-deep in the sea, falling into rock-pools, and having really deep angled pockets so pen-knife and phone, etc., don't fall out into said rock-pools or sea or down cliffs.

It's frustrating - I feel attacked on two fronts: my shorts-making and my fatness.

Ah well, she may be slim, but I'm not rude and ill-mannered, so...

And my shorts were ACE all over our brief holiday, no matter where we went, they were comfortable, practical and did exactly what you want a pair of shorts to do!

Home later today (mild hysteria at approaching Escape) and already happily thinking of my two fine-wool skirts for autumn/winter: one ready to sew, a re-making of a skirt bought in a charity shop last century (6 sizes too small but fell in love with the tweed colours, deep rich browns with gold and green and orange and red tiny tiny flecks, exactly like a peat burn in the sun) and dismantled 15 years ago or more for re-making... the other a length of beautiful smooth fine-wool which is just the colour of damson jam froth when it's boiling!

A bit of clearing the decks but by the end of next week I want to be making my autumn skirts...

PollyWollyDoodle

How very rude - I'm sure your shorts were great. Perhaps she just doesn't approve of shorts at all. Glad you had a good holiday - mostly!

So it's not just me .... I soothe myself at difficult times by thinking about my next sewing project. If I am staying away somewhere and can't sleep I picture what I'll sew when I'm home. Your fabric sounds lovely, bet you can't wait.