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Topics - RJR_38

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In the wardrobe / Seeing the light....

« on: August 06, 2019, 18:19:30 PM »

I’ve been a darksider for a long time but my sister and mum bought me a course for my birthday which I went on today ‘make a dress in a day’. Pattern pieces were pre-cut for us and interfaced with some overlooking done but everything else we learnt today.

It was a basic shift dress but we learnt to do darts, invisible zips, the weird shoulder strap thing I never understood from reading instructions, overlooking and a simple hem. My dress actually looks like a dress - I’m so pleased. I will post up some pics later.

He also gave us details of some bargain fabric shops in London.

I think I might be seeing the light....

Access All Accessories / Janome atelier 5 and pleather

« on: August 05, 2019, 14:15:58 PM »

I have been a darksider for a long time and only just finding my way into the light and have been getting into bag making.

For the first time I have been trying to sew with some very thin pleather to make straps. The lady I bought it from at FOQ says she uses her normal foot, needle and settings as it is so thin and flexible ...

Well my machine does not agree - it has been skipping stitches constantly and I can’t work out how to fix it. So far I have tried: Basic unthreading/rethreading, using a leather needle (size 16), increasing the stitch length to 3, sewing over masking tape (which improves it slightly but ruins the pleather and doesn’t work 100% anyway. I have also tried both normal foot and walking foot.

Anyone got any other ideas? I have read around a bit online and wondering if I need a Teflon foot but don’t know what shank my machine is as it doesn’t say in my instruction book. I haven’t had to buy any feet for this machine before as it came with so many. I have only had this stitch skipping happen once before and that was one particular batik fabric so I took the easy route out and didn’t use it again...

Publications / Book advice

« on: July 23, 2019, 21:43:37 PM »

I have been quilting and making bags and little house bits for a little over 2 years now but have decided to bite the bullet and have a go at sewing clothes.

My parents and sister clubbed together for my birthday to buy me a course called ‘make a dress in a day’. It is meant to teach the basics which is what I need! I go on this next week.

I’m looking for a book that I can be reading while I am on my clothes making journey. Particularly one that will tell me about different fabric types (as I have stuck with 100% cotton until now). For example I saw some lovely cotton jersey in the shop today but I have no idea what I would use it for. Does anyone have any recommendations of books I should buy? A ‘sewing bible’ if you will

Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / EPP quilt in progess

« on: July 22, 2019, 21:22:46 PM »

I have decided to make the millefiore quilt by Katja Marek. It will be a slow, long term project as I can do lots of
EPP for a few weeks and then I get bored. I have finished the first rosette of the quilt and am pleased with how it has come out Part of me doesn’t want to carry on with the rest of the quilt in case I ‘spoil it’ haha. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

House Beautiful / Storage baskets

« on: July 13, 2019, 18:23:28 PM »

Needed a few storage baskets for the hallway so quickly knocked these up with some fat quarters, scrap cotton webbing for handles and some foam for rigidity.

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Access All Accessories / Plastic handled bag

« on: July 13, 2019, 18:21:22 PM »

So I was given a set of plastic handles and floral fabric and asked if I could make a small bag. I’ve only really made totes before but this is what I came up with. I made my own pattern and it is the first time I have made a zipped pocket. I used a thin wipeable ‘suedette’ I acquired for the lining. I’m quite pleased with it but will never use these handles again!

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Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Woven Ribbons Quilt

« on: June 16, 2019, 19:42:29 PM »

I've just finished another quilt. This one is for my sister and is a large 'snuggle' quilt. It is a big lap quilt and is the colours she requested to tie in with her lounge.

Rather than use batting and fabric for the backing I like to make these quilts with a backing of a waffle plush - it is cosy but the overall quilt is still light so perfect for on the sofa on a chilly night.

Thanks for looking!

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Hi, I'm new... / Hi!

« on: June 11, 2019, 21:45:32 PM »

Hi everyone! I am so pleased to discover a UK based forum as I live Buckinghamshire! I have been on American ones for several years but am looking forward to being on in here as well.

I mainly quilt and have been making bags and simple hime furnishings. I love to paper piece (the more detailed and complicated the better) and have tried most types of hand sewing.

I would love to expand my repertoire even further so I’m looking forward to having a rummage around previous posts and getting stuck in.

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