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Topics - annierose

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1
Fun with Fabric / shops in Chester
« on: December 05, 2023, 08:40:09 AM »
Hello! DH & I love a Xmas market, and this year we're exploring Chester - a city we have never been to in an area we don't really know. Googl tells me that Abakhan is there (I think I have come across them at shows). Any other fabric or haby places I should know about? Or any other stores / things to do? Thanks!

2
Fun with Fabric / stretch silk
« on: June 05, 2023, 12:30:56 PM »
Hello all, I have searched the site and can't find any experience of sewing with stretch silk (only comments about how strange it seems!)
A combination of joint replacements and general arthritic changes to spine etc. has left me with postural changes - and the best 'look' I can get is to adapt Cashmerette's jeans in stretch fabric - I have had success with cotton and gaberdine as well as stretch denim. It allows the fabric to fall in the right places and stretch in the right places.
I'll just add that neither skirts nor palazzo pants look good!

A wedding is coming up - the silk trousers that I made 18 years ago are still lovely, but they hang all wrong now (actually still so good I'm going to re-purpose the fabric!). I would love to try stretch silk - or a similar 'luxury' fabric. I had a bad experience trying stretch linen - the weave wasn't robust enough - but would try again if anyone has a recommendation.

I don't mind spending a bit - I'll be wearing the silk tunic and painted shirt that has done me very well over the years, so this is my only outlay - but of course, am wary of spending on something that won't work!

3
A Good Yarn / rag rugging
« on: April 18, 2023, 13:49:42 PM »
Hello, second post as first one seems to have got lost.

I have done rag rugging using scraps and hessian backing (actually potato sacks from the greengrocer). I have a new project and would be grateful for advice.

I took the idea from a lady at the Sewing Exhibition a few years ago (thank you!). My grandson leaves primary school this year, and I will rag rug a wall hanging to show his school's logo, made with some of his old clothes (don't worry, the usable ones have been passed on!)

I thought I would need a firmer backing than hessian and have been looking at this:
https://www.tracyscraftshop.co.uk/canvas-latch-hooking-c-69.html

The scraps will be mostly sweatshirt and polo shirt fabric.

Any advice is appreciated - thanks!

4
A Good Yarn / ideas for a lovely crochet project please!
« on: January 25, 2023, 12:21:18 PM »
I have always crocheted, but when in need of a 'holiday project' have tended to do patchwork as I always have left over fabric. However, my arthritic hands can no longer do prolonged fine sewing, whilst crochet helps them to stay mobile.

Most of my crochet has been blankets for good causes, but my local Loving Hands has closed down. I will try to find some other cause, but in the meantime have made 2 cardigans that I am pleased with - a 'wearable toile' in acrylic, and then one in double knitting wool from West Yorkshire Spinners. It is a joy to work with, and I have decided that I would like to make something in really good yarn. It doesn't have to grow quickly, and within reason, cost isn't an issue.

As I am 'curvy'(!) good patterns are limited - I have used the Curvy Girl Crochet book.

I could make another cardie, and the basic pattern suits me, but quite fancied something in a finer yarn. I am wondering if I could adapt the pattern, or possibly use an 'interesting' DK.

I have lots of scarves and enough ponchos. I have wondered about doing a circular scarf in a fine yarn, or possibly something like a pashmina, but would really appreciate knowing others' experience. I really don't want anything too heavy - 4ply or finer.

I don't think I want anything for the house, but any ideas welcome! Also, I have never subscribed to a crochet magazine - does anyone have any recommendations? I should add that I cannot knit to a good enough standard - I can't keep the tension.
Many thanks in advance!

5
House Beautiful / curtain for a small alcove window
« on: December 29, 2022, 15:26:17 PM »
Hello knowledgeable folk! I am going to make curtains for my son's new house as a house-warming gift.
Pretty straightforward apart from 2 bedrooms (one of which he & partner sleep in). The windows are in a deep-set (about .5m) alcove with a sloping 'roof' (slopes from wall / ceiling corner down to window). The window occupies the whole alcove and is about 1.2m square, and there is no wall between the top of the alcove and ceiling.
They dislike blinds, which would be an obvious solution. Because of shift work they want heavy / 1 pass lined curtains.
It is obvious to me that the curtains should be mounted 'outside' the alcove (ceiling mounted track or pole on a wooden batten) and fall as far below the sill as they like.
However (why do house builders do this?) the radiator is immediately below the window and comes pretty well up to the sill. So to avoid the heat going up under the curtains and disappearing out of the window (!) I think I have 2 options:
Be very careful to let the curtains hang before I hem them and get them just brushing the sill (arrgghhh!)
OR their preferred option:
a ceiling mounted track inside the alcove with curtains fitting exactly (also arrgghh!) but with heavy / well lined curtains I think that the stack-back will cut out too much light.
All suggestions gratefully received!

6
Sewing Spaces and Furniture / daylight filtering blinds
« on: November 10, 2022, 09:29:25 AM »
Hello all, does anyone have any experience of these? I hadn't heard of them until I was looking for a simple blind, and came across them on John Lewis (which didn't actually get good reviews). My sewing room has a large window that gets direct sun for about 3 hours every morning, and it can glare too much - so 'daylight filtering' sounded ideal, but I can't find them on other sites, so wonder if they don't really work.
Many thanks!

7
Sewing Spaces and Furniture / drawer space in sewing room
« on: July 23, 2022, 16:03:41 PM »
Hello all, my sewing room is due a bit of a refurb, I've been meandering about here, but would like some specific advice about drawers.
I have: open shelves that store boxes of fabric and notions, books, and there is a hanging space.
I currently have a custom made (DH) 'desk' with 2 pedestals of drawers. DH is going to extend the 'desk top' to be 70cms. deep and 2.5m long, so that I can do most of my cutting out on it*.
This means I can have another pedestal of drawers. However, I am not happy with how I currently use mine and wanted to get some ideas.
I am happy with my drawer space for needles, threads & bobbins, and cutting out stuff like scissors, pins, rulers etc. One deep drawer holds my tracing paper and pens etc. but always feels a bit of a mess. Another deep drawer holds 'craft stuff' (I don't do much, but occasionally need paper, glue, beads etc.)
It seems that in the drawers I should have things that I might need 'handy', and things like fabric and patterns aren't needed so often.
Anyway, all advice gratefully received!

*To clarify, I have a cardboard craft board on a large bed on which I lay out fabric, but it is getting difficult for me to cut out on it. By having a deep desk, I can do a rough cut on the bed, and a proper cut on the desk (which is covered with cutting boards cut to fit)

8
Sewing Machines / the etiquette of buying a sewing machine
« on: June 01, 2022, 14:58:42 PM »
Hello, usually a lurker, and really I have made my bed and have to lie in it, but am feeling rather cheesed off! I had an inheritance and decided to get my 'final machine'. Looked online, read stuff here, and had a lot of info in my head.

The technician I usually go to for repairs said that if I decided on a machine he would get it in for me, so I could buy from him. But I wanted to try it out - one reason for 'moving on' is my arthritic hands - I didn't want to spend a lot of money without trying some machines.
The nearest shop with a reasonable range is 90 minutes drive away. I went there, and they put in a great deal of effort to help me choose a machine. I was there about 3 hours, lots of input and help. I decided on a Janome atelier 7, and they arranged delivery from Janome.
The needle threader isn't working. It is of course, under warranty.
My usual technician will not mend it because I didn't buy from him - he understood why I gave my custom to the shop that gave me so much time - but nonetheless refused. Janome suggested another nearby technician, he too refused.
So I am faced with:
a half-day round trip, at least (possibly 2)
Janome collection & repair, in which case I'll be without the machine for some days (my suggestion that they send me a new one and collect the 12 day old one is apparently not do-able)

I would have been better to have allowed the shop to spend all that time on me, wave goodbye and buy from my nearby technician. I also can't help feeling that if this machine isn't 'fit for purpose' and it was sent directly from Janome, that they should simply swap it.

As they say on other forums Am I Being Unreasonable?

9
The Haberdashery / spring action scissors
« on: October 20, 2021, 13:53:05 PM »
Hello - as the arthritis in my hands worsens - but I can still sew - I have been wondering about 'spring action' scissors such as these:
https://www.fiskars.com/en-gb/creating/products/scissors/softouch-spring-action-general-purpose-scissors-26cm-1003873

My Ernest Wright 8" are on the waiting list to be sharpened, but I have been finding them heavy of late, and had wondered about trying a pair of these whilst waiting (I am owed a birthday gift!)

Does anyone have any helpful experience?


10
Technical Help / V neck on a knit tunic
« on: September 25, 2021, 15:52:45 PM »
Hello all, I dropped off the forum for some time, my sewing having had to take a back seat, but I am back, with a stash to work through!
2 years ago, on holiday, I bought a lovely, substantial knit, a wool / viscose mix. I aim to make a tunic length 'T shirt'
My arthritic hands can't manage a T-shirt V-neck now, but I would love to do one with this. It is a good weight, and I was wondering about doing a V-neck facing (I'll have a few scraps to practice on). I'd appreciate any advice - including 'stick to a round neck'

11
Patterns Discussion / Muna and Broad?
« on: May 17, 2020, 08:56:01 AM »
Hello, I've run a search and can't find any mention of them: https://munaandbroad.com/

They are very niche, designed mostly for very large women (I would be one of their small sizes!) I love the lookoftheir tapered Willandra trousers:
https://munaandbroad.com/collections/frontpage/products/willandra-pants-sewing-pattern-pdf

Does anyone have any experience either of their patterns, or that strange diagonal seam?

Many thanks!

12
Technical Help / Trousers, slight stretch?
« on: May 16, 2020, 17:56:12 PM »
Hello all, I am about a size 20 US / 24 UK - but as we know, that doesn't tell the whole story! Recent spinal surgery has left me shorter, and a sense that I have 'changed shape'. Certainly my old trousers don't fit properly - it's not just a question of taking up the legs a bit, my truck has changed as well!
As I needed to be away from the machine, I bought a couple of pairs of leggings. They do suit me well, and the stretch means I don't have to worry about the fit so much. I downloaded the Cashmerette leggings pattern, made up a trial set and was pleased with them.
I have had tucked away, for 2-3 years some lovely linen fabric with lycra (but I'm not sure how much!). It doesn't stretch enough for the Cashmerette pattern (it only goes about halfway to the 'stretch' mark).
So......could I try making the next size up? or even 2 sizes up?
Or should I wait until I can put the time and effort into a complete trouser re-make?

Thanks for any advice!

13
Fun with Fabric / water resistant fabric
« on: March 16, 2019, 16:02:35 PM »
Hello all, I'm looking for advice about sewing thread. Some years ago I made some water-resistant trousers and remember  being advised to use a pure cotton thread that would swell on contact with moisture, so keeping the seams resistant to water. They have been great.

I have been thinking about making a lightweight mac of some kind and it was only a vague idea until, at the Sewing Exhibition I found Worcestershire Resource Exchange. I'm sure some of you found them as well - and I got a length of remaindered Burberry water resistant fabric (5m for £10!).
So I'm going to make Cashmeretee's Chilton coat, and am gathering my notions.
Has anyone else used this fabric - do you think I should track down dome pure cotton, or just use the usual?

Thank you!

14
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / FREE: patterns to give away
« on: September 25, 2018, 07:41:55 AM »
These are all uncut, although some have been unfolded. To the best of my knowledge, they are intact. I am happy to post out, on the understanding that the recipient will donate the cost of postage to a charity.

Unless I give a number, all discontinued:

Butterick:
swimsuit & cover-ups: sizes 26-32
easy tunic & pants: one sizes 18-24, one sizes 26-32
'lifestyle wardrobe': top, skirt, jacket, trousers: one sizes 18-24, one sizes 26-32
'fast & easy' tunic, shirt & pants: one sizes 22-26, one sizes 28-32
wrap dress size BB (8-14)

McCalls
'easy endless options' shirt, tunic, trousers, dress, jacket: size H (22-26)
M6297 top & tunic size RR (18-24)

Sandra Betzina for Vogue, wide legged trousers, with a fitted yoke, all sizes included.

Burda 6972 top: sizes 18-30

Maternity:
Kwik Sew 3487 wrap top: sizes XS-XL. This one has actually been cut to 'medium', but I've included it as it is on strong paper, and all the pieces are in the envelope, to be taped together by someone with patience!
Megan Nielson MN1004 maternity / nursing lingerie: sizes XS-XL

Just message me!





15
A Good Yarn / getting the crochet gauge right
« on: March 27, 2018, 18:34:03 PM »
Hello all, I'm quite experienced at crochet, and have done  lot - but always the forgiving sort of shawls, blankets, scarves etc. I've taken the plunge and bought a book of clothes patterns, liking the look of a cardigan. It's a US book.
I have done my test pieces - I should be using a 4mm hook with double knitting wool, and a piece 14 st x 8 rows of double crochet (US) should be 10cms. square. I am now up to a 5.5 hook - 8 rows are 10cms but 14sts only 9cms.
I don't have a 6mm hook - happy to get one, but am feeling that I must be getting something wrong.
And yes, I am dojng the US double crochet stitch, not the British one!
I'd be very grateful for any pointers, otherwise I'll be doing extra stitches and/ or fewer rows. I would say however, tht with a 5.5mm hook the spacing does look about right.
Thanks!

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