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Messages - Helen M

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16
Hi, I'm new... / Re: Hi, I’ve just joined the forum.
« on: February 23, 2024, 17:20:53 PM »
Quote from: Clduk on February 23, 2024, 13:33:17 PM
Hi Helen, nice to find another petite too. Do you use many petite patterns?

I just tend to shorten rather than use specific petite patterns. I'm long waisted so it's mainly waist-hip and skirt/trouser lengths. I also have short arms so they need doing, and to add to that I have square shoulders, so need to make that adjustment as well. I only realised that about 10 years ago and it's been amazing how much the internet has helped in sewing.

17
Hi, I'm new... / Re: Hi, I’ve just joined the forum.
« on: February 23, 2024, 13:03:36 PM »
Hello @Clduk and welcome from another petite (5'1") who can't find things to fit! Hope you'll enjoy the forum.

18
Sewing Machines / Re: Smallish good sewing machines ideas
« on: February 20, 2024, 17:42:30 PM »
Quote from: Tamnymore on February 20, 2024, 17:05:47 PM
If a meteorite landed on my 5024 today I'd be off to John Lewis immediately to get the exact same machine.. then I'd repair the meteorite damage to the roof.

I would do the same @Tamnymore!

19
Sewing Machines / Re: Smallish good sewing machines ideas
« on: February 20, 2024, 13:02:50 PM »
If you are looking for a mechanical one @Celia I'd say this one is good. It's been around under various names for many years.

https://www.johnlewis.com/janome-excel-decor-5024-sewing-machine/p231340607

I have the 18 stitch version and I've seen them described as workhorses by several people.

20
The Haberdashery / Re: Maraflex thread
« on: February 18, 2024, 12:39:40 PM »
Quote from: The Shrinking Sewist on January 28, 2024, 16:16:19 PM
My Janome 230dc absolutely hated it!

I've used a Coats Eloflex (which is a stretch thread and looks identical) and my Janome hated it too, not the same machine as yours @The Shrinking Sewist though. I went back to doing a very slight zig zag on parts that needed it.

I never ever use the 'lightning stitch' as to be honest I've never thought a garment was likely to split. If worried I'd just do a double row.

21
The Haberdashery / Re: Maraflex thread
« on: February 18, 2024, 12:33:46 PM »
Quote from: Flobear on February 18, 2024, 12:05:42 PM
I'm glad you pointed that out @BrendaP , I thought I was going officially gaga  :[

Me too!

22
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Wednesdays 2-4pm
« on: February 07, 2024, 16:19:36 PM »
Looks like I've been the only one here this afternoon, unless the rest are all hiding!

I managed to get some black ponte cut out for the SA Palazzo pant pattern and I've done the only markings needed, the turn over line at the waistband. Think this will be my last use of this pattern for a while as I've a few colours now.

23
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Tuesdays 2-4pm
« on: February 07, 2024, 15:19:16 PM »
Quote from: Ouryve on February 07, 2024, 12:13:51 PM
Of course, when I moved up to Newcastle, I had Bainbridge's, Fenwick's and King's Fabrics to choose from.

Oh I'm drooling at just the thought of the gorgeous fabrics that Kings used to have @Ouryve ! The other 2 were good (Bainbridge's was the J Lewis in Newcastle before they got rid of all the names) as well.

24
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Tuesdays 2-4pm
« on: February 07, 2024, 11:30:27 AM »
Quote from: Ouryve on February 06, 2024, 17:01:44 PM
No sewing for me, today but turfing out my wardrobe and unearthing odds and ends of spare buttons that came with rtw garments prompted me give my button box a good sorting out.


Had to take a photo of these before binning them because the plastic is starting to rot. How long since Debenhams had a habby?

I can't remember Debenhams ever having a habby dept @Ouryve! I'd never been in one prior to 1983 mind you which was when we moved from Newcastle and there wasn't one there at that time.

25
Sewing Machines / Re: Machine for my Mum
« on: February 02, 2024, 20:29:21 PM »
Quote from: HenriettaMaria on February 02, 2024, 16:41:06 PM
When I take a needle out of the pack to do a small job (eg, taking up a hem on jeans, say), I return it to the pack with the shank turned around so the flat side is outwards.  That way, I know it's been used a bit and if I have another small job to do at a later date, I can use the same one.  I keep empty needle packs (you could use match boxes if you use matches, of course) for old needles so they can be disposed of safely when the pack is full.

Another one who does this. You can usually tell when to change needles as the stitching isn't as good and as said elsewhere you can tell by the noise.

If your Mum ever gets round to making curtains, you need to change the needles used to attach the gathering tape after each pair. The tape really blunts them and you need to use a size 16 as tape is dense.

26
Sewing Machines / Re: Machine for my Mum
« on: January 20, 2024, 14:39:32 PM »
Welcome @AnthonyExmouth! I'm sure I won't be the only one on here saying that of the 2 machines you mention the Janome would be the first choice, mainly because modern Singers are not what the old ones that got the company the reputation it has!

I've had Janomes for 40 years and like them very much. There is a model almost identical to the one you list on John Lewis website Janome 7025  https://www.johnlewis.com/janome-7025-sewing-machine/p231340608. It's the one I recommended for my friend's son and daughter to buy for her a few years ago.

One thing I'd recommend any machine you buy has is a foot pressure adjustment. The J Lewis one has.

27
Hi, I'm new... / Re: New to the forum
« on: January 18, 2024, 23:05:11 PM »
Hello and welcome @The Shrinking Sewist, looking forward to seeing some of your makes!

28
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Wednesdays 2-4pm
« on: January 10, 2024, 19:42:19 PM »
I managed to sort out the crotch on the ponte pants left over from yesterday, it was as I thought.

I then stitched in the ditch down 1" down the 4 seams to anchor the fold over elastic and remembered to sew a small narrow ribbon loop on the inside near back seam so I know which is the back of the pants when I come to put them on.... I don't like labels round the waist band as they only scratch!

Only the hem to do now, I'll let them hang a day or so before I do that though.

29
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Tuesdays 2-4pm
« on: January 09, 2024, 19:33:15 PM »
Quote from: Lemon Syllabub on January 09, 2024, 18:23:34 PM

@Helen M not sewing up the crotch seam till you've checked the fit is a brilliant idea. I would never have thought of that.

I usually stop stitching at the notches @Lemon Syllabub as the shaping underneath seems to start there. I got fed up with unpicking that part so just thought I'll leave it undone until needed!

30
Sewalongs and Competitions / Re: Weekly Sewing Club Tuesdays 2-4pm
« on: January 09, 2024, 16:28:22 PM »
No I've been here @Ouryve!

Sorted out the elastic for the fold over waistband on my brown ponte SA Palazzo pants and overlocked it to the upper edge of pant. Managed not to cut off any elastic in the process! Think I'll need to scoop a wee bit from the front crotch on these ones, although they felt okay when I tried them on Sunday. I now often leave the crotch seam unstitched on pull on pants until I've done the rest just in case they need a little extra scooped.

Well done with the tracing!

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