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Messages - Giotto

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1
I bought some cotton jersey from Fabricland ages ago but the quality wasn’t that good.  I also bought some cotton jersey with a bit of stretch from them and it was much better and easier to sew.

Thank you, So Chic.  This kind of thing is good to know.  If I'm going to take the time and make the effort to make a garment I don't want the quality of the fabric to be the cause of me not being able to produce a great end result.

2
Interlock is nice to work with but has a tendency to grow widthways and shrink upwards.  :)

My husband has so far only once worn the tee shirt I made him with Guthrie & Ghani's Cotton Interlock fabric, so it's early days for me to see/experience this "width-ways" growth.........but it's great to benefit from the experience of others.  I think the Interlock may be ok for this time of year, or for our northern climate, but I know he would prefer a lighter weight fabric for holidays in hot climates - that's if the time ever comes when we can travel to such places again! :(

3
If you are prepared to try it you will find that fabric with a bit of lycra/elastane  will actually hold it`s shape much better and if it`s only 5% the fabric will still feel very natural.   
I`ve just bought some of this and it is really nice quality
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plain-Colour-Cotton-JERSEY-Stretch-Knit-T-shirt-Baby-Grow-Dressmaking-Fabric/283019983031?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=584301442366&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Thanks, sewingj. I am not going to give up on the 100% cotton search but I have decided to order some at 95% just to try it out.  I won't tell my husband that it's not completely 100% cotton to see if he mentions anything about the comfort level/feel of it! ;)

4
There’s quite a few on Minerva. 
But there’s also some cotton as well as bamboo  on Lamazi.  I have had quite a bit from them and they’re generally quick and the fabric is lovely.  My DIL says the tee shirts I make for grandsons are the best they have because the fabric is so soft.  I usually try to make sure it’s OEKO certified or organic. 

Thank you, Ohsewsimple. This kind of information is invaluable.  I like the look of some of those fabrics on Lamazi.

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Thank you, Alikat.  Can you tell me what the prices on vend fabrics refer to?  They have 100% cotton single jersey fabric advertised at £2.90 - but that's surely not per metre, is it?

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Fun with Fabric / Where to buy 100% cotton fabric for a man's tee shirt
« on: January 26, 2021, 16:58:21 PM »
I have always sewn with woven fabric until I recently got an overlocker.  I decided to try to make my first knit garment and successfully made a tee shirt for my husband.  I looked in his wardrobe and discovered that all his tee shirts are made of 100% cotton.  I was having difficulty finding similar fabric to buy but eventually bought an "Organic Cotton Interlock" fabric from Guthrie & Ghani.  The project went well, I'm happy to say, and so I'd like to make more.  The Interlock fabric is a bit thicker than normal tee shirt fabric but I'm having problems finding normal tee shirt fabric that isn't 95% cotton plus 5% spandex/elastane.  Has anyone any ideas about where to purchase 100% cotton jersey?

7
The Burda 6418 is lovely, though perhaps a bit more fitted than I was looking for.  But it is pretty good so I've saved it for future reference.  Thank you, @UttaRetch.

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https://seasalt.images.blucommerce.com/seasalt/product/138087B001_2.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&bluhash=d1f83e5aee3463d577c20993394ba5b7&w=1800&fit=max&s=b24a2501c4c10a91c9b60c2ffc431e3d

I have seen this dress on the Seasalt website and like the fact that it is a loose dress but doesn't appear to be too tent-like.  I think those are princess seams at the front and I love the in-seam front pockets.  Does anyone know of a similar pattern?  I have seen the TATB Stevie tunic/dress but it seems to be more flowy/loose than I'm looking for and just has side seams.

9
Your Favourite Suppliers / Re: Sewing machines direct SMD
« on: February 21, 2020, 11:20:58 AM »
I'm only noticing this thread now and feel I must add my tuppence worth!  I bought my new Pfaff from SMD in early 2019. I live in Northern Ireland where Sewing Machine shops are thin on the ground so after some research I took the risk of ordering, sight unseen, and sewed happily until late November when the buttonhole foot started playing up.  I phoned SMD and they sent me a new buttonhole foot to try in case that would solve the issue.  It didn't.  After a couple of phone calls and them trying to help me, long-distance, they said they'd need to see the machine.  So, they asked me to pack it up (I had kept all the original packaging in the attic) and they organised a courier to pick it up.  After it arrived with them I had several further conversations with the engineer, over a couple of days, while he tried to work out what the problem was.  Once they had the issue resolved they contacted me to tell me that they were returning my machine and a couple of days later the DPD delivery van arrived with it.  I didn't have to pay for this service.  They organised everything with the couriers and I feel confident in recommending them to others - particularly to those who, like me, can't actually get to their shop in person.

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Fun with Fabric / Re: Fabric Shops Around The World
« on: January 30, 2020, 20:59:07 PM »
I'm just back last week from our first trip to South Africa.  The excuse to go was for a wedding. :)  I can now understand why people who've gone once want to return! 
Anyway, to the subject in hand: I have read for some time the blog/instagram posts by Vicki Wright/SewVee who has made a lot of her clothes with African wax /shweshwe fabric and I had sussed out, before we left home, a shop called Mnandi textiles in the Observatory area of Cape Town.  Some of the fabrics are what I would call very loud: very bright and large patterns which work under a very bright African sky but wouldn't work for me.  However, I thought I might be able to find something a bit "quieter" that would suit my tastes for a summer dress.....or 2.....or 3!
Just to let you know that if anyone else is interested in going it's a lovely shop, with gorgeous fabrics.  However, the best bit about the shop was the man who works there.  I don't know if he just works there or is the owner.  He greeted us very pleasantly and I told him what I was looking for.  He explained and showed me the different types of fabric they had, the widths etc. and then left me to peruse the store in peace. It's definitely worth a visit if you're going to be in Cape Town.

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Fun with Fabric / Re: Have you seen this fabric?
« on: August 23, 2019, 22:13:23 PM »
What's your fabric made of, @wrenkins? I've never heard of pound fabrics so I shall have to explore!

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Fun with Fabric / Have you seen this fabric?
« on: August 23, 2019, 18:40:46 PM »
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7383655/Keira-Knightley-steps-just-days-welcoming-second-child.html

I saw this photo the other day and fell in love with the dress fabric. I like the fact that the diamond sort of shaped dots are laid out in stripes - not your typical polka dot - and I wonder if any of you fellow sewers/sewists have seen anything similar anywhere?

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Fun with Fabric / Re: Fabric Shops Around The World
« on: August 23, 2019, 18:26:08 PM »
@Ohsewsimple, I'm only noticing your message now. I was in Amsterdam last year for the first time and I found the street you are referring to. Lots of fabric shops still there with a wide variety of fabrics and price range. I'd love to return!

14
Oh, @Francesca, I didn't know you could do that ....... but now I've done it!

15
Success!  Perhaps I should have started a new thread with the title OBTAINED: Oop Butterick 5917 Dress Pattern.
Thanks to @Gernella the elusive pattern arrived in the post this afternoon and I am beyond delighted to have it in my clutches.  I have no excuse now not to make a lovely dress for the wedding at the end of the year.  I promise to come back to show the end result - though it may be some months before that happens as I have a busy summer ahead and I haven't bought the fabric yet.
I have thanked @Gernella privately but I wanted to let everyone know that my quest has ended happily. This forum is wonderful!  (Can you tell that I am very pleased?  :) :) :))

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