A bit late I know but Wardrobe By Me have 3 new men's jacket/cardi patterns on sale until end tonight Sunday (US time)

https://wardrobebyme.com/collections

Code is cozy19

PS I've bought the fleece jacket one for himself

Lidl sewing machine €99 is in store next Thursday and I'm tempted. I still have the 25 year old Singer that I replaced with a Janome 5 years ago but I never get it out because it's so basic in comparison - 4 stitches, 4 step buttonhole. However it worked fine last time I used it.

So that got me thinking - do I need a back up machine at all? After all if my Janome broke down, I could get it fixed pretty quickly, and it's very rare that a sewing project of mine has a deadline. The Lidl sounds like a bargain and I've already recommended it to someone who wanted a cheap machine for basic alterations, but would it actually be useful?

If you're a hobbyist sewer like me what exactly do you use your back up machine(s) for? Am I missing a trick here?

This is a recurring problem for me with wovens so I'd really love to have a patent method to solve it quickly each time. My clothes have to be comfortable so if the armhole of a top is even a bit tight I simply don't wear it and eventually it goes to the kitten shop (local SPCA).

At the moment I kind of wing it, sewing a narrower seam or widening or lowering the armhole - and sleeve - on the pattern, or sizing up as the mood takes me. It often works but my methods are rather random.

What's the best method to use? Is there a good tutorial out there?

Thanks a mil
V

 This is the Indiesew Monarch Jacket, one of my favourite recent makes - and definitely one I can see myself wearing a lot outside of midsummer. I posted about the pattern here when it came out in April and I felt you weren't fans of the style so lets see if I've won anyone round...It's meant to be a boxy cardi/bomber jacket cross.

I made a straight size 4, just added 1" to the length and 5 snaps instead of 3 (good suggestion from @BrendaP). The fabric is a ribbed cotton/lycra jersey from dressfabrics.ie which was lovely to sew with - a less stable knit than recommended but I think it works. I bought the same in petrol and am considering making another. The jeans are my stretch denim Elle/Eleanore pant cross with a back yoke and useful back pockets - worn continuously since completion last month!

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.. until midnight 25 Dec with code HOLIDAYS.

A while back I made McCalls 7254 - a cardigan with shawl collar - using a nice looking cosy sweater knit. The collar is a double piece of fabric that continues around the hem. But I don't wear it. You can see on the pattern picture that the model is holding the front together, but if you don't hold it it gapes open and the back swings out unattractively. It's at least a size to large which doesn't help the gape, though I've already taken in all the seams, but it would be fine with about a 2" overlap at the front held by a fastening of some kind.

I think a button would look best. However, I followed advice on PatternReview and didn't interface the collar (which the pattern says to do). That does give it a nice drape but I think that means a button/buttonhole can't be safely added.

I could remove the collar and interface it but then of course I'd lose the drape. Could I just put a small piece of interfacing where the button would go? On either the outside or inside of the collar? Or is there another means of securing a button fastening?

Appreciate any feedback as always 

Apparently (first I've heard, but no surprise there) the oversize jacket is back - like this one - very 90's and, bearing in mind that Lori would look good in a dishcloth, I thoroughly approve of the trend! Although I'm definitely not buying any patterns for the forseeable future, this one can go on my long list  . Hopefully it will still be in fashion and available by the time I've made a few dozen more of the unused patterns I already own  .

I sometimes find interesting fabric in car boot sales or charity shops but it always has that smell - you know the one that doesn't go away when they're washed and line dried. It's impossible to define - not stinky or offensive, just not very nice. DH says he doesn't notice it but I certainly do. It does seem to diminish with time but I'd rather not wait!

I've tried adding vinegar + sodium bicarb to the fabric conditioner drawer of the machine but that did nothing. I'd rather not handwash them (with vinegar) - that's a chore too far. And there isn't a wardrobe in the house where I could hang them for a week or two with a saucer of bicarb. Has anyone here had any success with this? If so please share.