Mation
real life adventure worth more than pieces of gold
Brilliant. Thank you
Yes, I'm doing the sleeveless version, but there is a sleeved version included in the pattern. Only one step 5 though. I need to read ahead more!
Sewing help
- Thread starter Mation
- Start date
Yes, I'm doing the sleeveless version, but there is a sleeved version included in the pattern. Only one step 5 though. I need to read ahead more!
Mation
real life adventure worth more than pieces of gold
I'm nearly finished, but was much too tired after work yesterday to do any, in case I made more mistakes. Off for a drink this evening, so... Soon, soon
Mation
real life adventure worth more than pieces of gold
Well it's finally finished! *heaves a massive sigh of relief*
If ever you hear me say I want to do a dress that has both a full skirt and a lining again, please shoot me, no questions. I absolutely hated sewing this
It was fiddly where it looked as though it would be simple - the pattern was from the 'very easy' range, ffs 
. But I made mistakes at every step of the way and then made a complete pig's ear of sewing the lining hem and doing the shoulders (though I've now found an easier method for next time that makes sense). Oh and the fit around the back isn't great, although the bust is ok - or would be if I'd chosen the contrasting fabric a bit better so it didn't pull at the top.
But hey ho
I learned tonnes 
Here's it hanging, and I'll prolly do a pic or two with it on later Many thanks for the help with it - it would have been infinitely more hellish without it!
If ever you hear me say I want to do a dress that has both a full skirt and a lining again, please shoot me, no questions. I absolutely hated sewing this
It was fiddly where it looked as though it would be simple - the pattern was from the 'very easy' range, ffs . But I made mistakes at every step of the way and then made a complete pig's ear of sewing the lining hem and doing the shoulders (though I've now found an easier method for next time that makes sense). Oh and the fit around the back isn't great, although the bust is ok - or would be if I'd chosen the contrasting fabric a bit better so it didn't pull at the top.But hey ho
I learned tonnes
Here's it hanging, and I'll prolly do a pic or two with it on later
Many thanks for the help with it - it would have been infinitely more hellish without it! 
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
Perhaps if we ask nicely, she will make us one too.That's ace mate
Mation
real life adventure worth more than pieces of gold
Nooooo! You'd have to shoot me, remember?Perhaps if we ask nicely, she will make us one too.
I will keep going though - sewing is
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
Urban, give me a kick up the arse to start sewing. I wanted to start with simple patterns, and have got as far as actually having the patterns and fabric bought. However, I'm intimidated of cutting out the pattern and it looks too complicated to draw onto greaseproof paper. Will I just fecking go for it, and cut the original pattern?
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
Right. I will cut it out this morning. I'm so scared of messing it up though. Or cutting it on the original pattern and needing another size later.YES!!! DO IT NOW!!!
moose
like some cat from Japan
Keep the offcuts, so you can stick it back together again loosely if you need it again.
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
You can trace the pattern with tissue paper, but I only do that if I'm making alterations.
My other suggestion would be to thoroughly check the fit and that you've got the right size before you cut. Don't just go by the size on the packet, or even by what body measurement it claims that size will fit. It's a good idea to measure the actual pattern across the crucual points (bust, waist and hip), subtract all the seam allowances, and see if it looks about right for your measurements. Patterns allow ease so you can move or for style (like a really baggy style might have up to 6 inches extra, a fitted skirt may have an inch or two), so you need to look at the picture and account for that.
Then you can also pin the pattern together and try it on carefully. That can give you a fair idea. Don't forget to pin all the darts and so on.
If you want to be full on about it, you can go on and do a toile/muslin, where you cut out the whole garment or part of it in some scrap fabric and sew it together to see how it fits.
My other suggestion would be to thoroughly check the fit and that you've got the right size before you cut. Don't just go by the size on the packet, or even by what body measurement it claims that size will fit. It's a good idea to measure the actual pattern across the crucual points (bust, waist and hip), subtract all the seam allowances, and see if it looks about right for your measurements. Patterns allow ease so you can move or for style (like a really baggy style might have up to 6 inches extra, a fitted skirt may have an inch or two), so you need to look at the picture and account for that.
Then you can also pin the pattern together and try it on carefully. That can give you a fair idea. Don't forget to pin all the darts and so on.
If you want to be full on about it, you can go on and do a toile/muslin, where you cut out the whole garment or part of it in some scrap fabric and sew it together to see how it fits.
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
A couple'a quid. Good point.How much was it?
Cut it already! !
RubyToogood
RubyTwobikes
So have you wielded the scissors?
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
Yep. It's one of the reasons I'm scared.Is that a stretch knit pattern? Are you sewing jersey?
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
I have no idea how much sewing you have done, so forgive me if I'm stating the obvious, but does your machine have stretch stitch?
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
I've never sewn a garment and I don't know what that is! I can sew a straight line and fix the machine if it gets a tangle or broken needle. My mam (an expert tailor) said all I need to sew jersey is a particular needle (I think it's a bit blunt). My mother is in Ireland so she can't help in person, but the machine belongs to my sister, and she's quite good at sewing so she can advise.
I have no idea how much sewing you have done, so forgive me if I'm stating the obvious, but does your machine have stretch stitch?
My mum just used zigzag, as her Singer was too old to have stretch stitch.
I have no idea how much sewing you have done, so forgive me if I'm stating the obvious, but does your machine have stretch stitch?
Chick Webb the "special needle" is a ballpoint needle. It doesn't snag or ladder knitted fabric, unlike a normal needle. BTW you can also get ballpoint pins. IMHO worth it if you see them.
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
Ok.
Just get in there and have a go Chick Webb !
There's also a stretch needle, but no-one has ever managed to explain to me the difference between ballpoint and stretch needles. Also having experimented with several machines which are all the same model, I found that each machine had its own random preference for needle when sewing jersey. I also confess to sewing cotton jersey with ordinary needles.
Just get in there and have a go Chick Webb !
Agreed - the first one will teach you most of what you need to know about handling that fabric again. Good luck, and try to enjoy it.
Chick Webb
Countryfile and a can
I'll just put this here, since there isn't a "taking up jeans" thread.
I've got a couple of pairs of too long jeans that I want to take up. I've watched this, and it looks pretty doable. The only thing about it is, one pair of jeans is stretchy, and more worryingly, the other pair is flared. Is this thing going to work with the flared jeans? Surely the hem has a bigger circumference to the bit of leg it's going to be moved to. Will it all become apparent when I do it? Or am I just going to fuck up my jeans?
I've got a couple of pairs of too long jeans that I want to take up. I've watched this, and it looks pretty doable. The only thing about it is, one pair of jeans is stretchy, and more worryingly, the other pair is flared. Is this thing going to work with the flared jeans? Surely the hem has a bigger circumference to the bit of leg it's going to be moved to. Will it all become apparent when I do it? Or am I just going to fuck up my jeans?
