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Topics - Vezelay

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1
In the wardrobe / Another Songbird jacket
« on: May 22, 2023, 11:20:46 AM »
Pattern Emporium Songbird kimono jacket (my second) in some of the thinnest stretchiest fabric I've ever worked with, bought years ago so best guess it's probably viscose/elastane - feels lovely anyway, and it's very drapy and mysteriously both cool and cosy. Even DH likes the colour!

Alterations - extended front band to hemline, lengthened cropped version 2 inches, and sized up (yes, up) so it's actually well oversize ++. It's to wear over t-shirts etc in the summer and I like things loose in the heat. It turned out a little looser than planned but fine. I notice the sleeves appear to have been cut off grain despite my efforts, but it shows less when they're pushed up. Nothing's perfect :sorry: Pockets would have been nice but pointless in this fabric.

Next time I will ignore the PE website instructions for extending the front band and do it my way. Otherwise it's a great pattern with several hem lengths and types/lengths of sleeve, plus other variations. As a UFO from last month's comp it will be my first competition entry ever :).

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2
A Good Yarn / I'm knitting a gilet.
« on: April 01, 2023, 20:33:24 PM »
It's this one, the shawl collar version:
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with this yarn
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Back and left front are done - except for the borders. That will involve picking up rows of stitches - I've no idea how to do that but Youtube will tell me - learning as I go along here. Hardly any ripping back so far which must be progress.

The chunky acrylic is so much easier than the cotton DK I used for my first project - no comparison really. I'm just working up the courage to attach the collar to the bodice of my pink sleeveless top then that will be ready for summer. And it fits  :)

3
A Good Yarn / Need help seaming sloped shoulders
« on: March 11, 2023, 14:37:58 PM »
Help please - I'm struggling with seaming the shoulders on this top - yarn is dk cotton. Bearing mind that I haven't joined a knit garment seam since I was a child, so getting all this from a book and Youtube.

I wanted a shoulder slope so did stair steps initially, but then decided to redo that with the standard sloped cast off method where you leave the last stitch and slip the first when casting off. I thought that would be easier to seam but it hasn't turned out great.

Here is one shoulder before and the other after using the mattress stitch seam method. Would it be better to undo it, rip back the sloped cast off and use the short row method instead? I'm treating this project as a useful learning experience so happy to redo if it could improve the look of the seams.

Or is there a better technique for seaming this. I have all those side seams to do yet, and there's a roll collar to add. I naively thought this would be the easy part! Can't I overlock the lot?

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4
A Good Yarn / Vogue Ultimate Knitting Book
« on: March 08, 2023, 18:33:37 PM »
A friend loaned me this and now I'm thinking of buying a copy. Is this the best for basic techniques? Novice knitter now but I'll want more complicated stuff soon. Youtube is great but by the time you've waded through the adverts and info you don't need, the book is quicker.

5
A Good Yarn / Help please with altering this knitting pattern
« on: January 30, 2023, 15:04:51 PM »
See next post...

6
Patterns Discussion / Gifting unopened pdf patterns?
« on: January 24, 2023, 09:28:49 AM »
I was on an indie sewing pattern website today, checked in my account, in Orders, and found two pdf patterns I have no memory whatever of buying in 2020 and 2022 though I obviously did. They're lovely patterns but I'm quite certain I'll never sew either of them as they're not my 'thing'.

Which got me thinking - if you can buy a pdf pattern as a gift for someone else, what about gifting a pdf pattern that you've bought but never opened or looked at, let alone made, and which you delete from your own files at the same time as you gift. To me it seems morally and ethically permissible to do that, ie my conscience would be clear. But at the same time I'm pretty sure you can't.

For example the T&Cs say "you agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any portion of the Service" - fair enough, presumably that's copyright law. However on the pattern it states that only the customer with xxxxx@xxxx.ie (my email address) may use this pattern. That seems unnecessarily restrictive - can they even hold me to it legally? I can't see that they would have lost out if I gifted the pattern to a friend when the chance of them otherwise buying it is close to zero. You could even think of it as promotion, since this friend might be motivated to check their website for other patterns.

I'm curious what others here think. I have so many unopened pdf sewing patterns just going to waste on my Google drive. It seems I may as well delete them, the equivalent of throwing perfectly pristine paper patterns in the bin!

7
A Good Yarn / What type of knitting needles to buy?
« on: January 19, 2023, 11:32:22 AM »
I have Size 3 1/4 and 4 in plastic 30cm, decent quality. I immediately need some size 6 1/2 but it would be a good idea to have more sizes handy. I have to buy online, laid up so can't go shopping. Bear in mind I can't buy from any UK supplier except Amazon (post free with Prime). I could buy online here + postage.

Amazon has cheap 'stainless steel' sets 35 cm which generally get good reviews but I see some say they are coated plastic or aluminium. None include size 6.5. £10 to £15.

They also have cheap bamboo sets, 25 or 35 cm - more sizes including 6.5. Reviews good, £10

Or you can buy metal or plastic individual sizes for about £6.50. Better quality presumably but expensive if I want several sizes. AI'd rather not invest too much til I see how I get on.

Also if I have the choice, what length is best for adult garments? 35cm?

I've looked up the pros and cons if different needle types, so just looking for personal experience and your opinions here. What would you buy?


8
A Good Yarn / Resuming a part finished knitting project
« on: January 17, 2023, 15:02:00 PM »
About 30 years ago I started knitting a fairly simple sleeveless top in Patons 100% cotton dk yarn. (It's a Patons pattern.) For reasons I don't recall I put it away safely in a bag with the yarn and I haven't touched a knitting needle since.

I can't sew at all at the moment as I'm laid up after Christmas foot surgery, and also because my husband has borrowed my sewing room while he redecorates his office, so I'd like to try and finish this top.

Can I just go on from where I left off? I'd obviously have to check the tension looked the same. Or do I have to unravel, wash/steam and restart? Washing/steaming would be logistically difficult on crutches so would have to wait a few weeks. And I have just the right amount of yarn for the pattern, none to spare. Here it is:-

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What would you advise?

PS My partly quilted double quilt is on pause until I get my sewing room and both feet back in full working order!

9
The Haberdashery / Recommend heat transfer method
« on: November 21, 2022, 11:15:37 AM »
What I'd like is to be able to add badges, logos or designs to bags, purses, maybe on a few garments etc too. I'm really not sure what level of equipment I'd need to do this. I've been looking at the Cricut Joy, and the Cricut Mini Heat Press (or similar cheaper copycats).

Seems to me you still need to buy lots of other stuff even with these - mats, tools, vinyl. It would just be an interest/hobby for me so what's the bottom line that I need to do this sublimation thingy? I thought heat transfer vinyl and an iron but then there's the cutting...

I know some of you are into this so advice and opinions please.


10
In the wardrobe / Easy, fast, cheap "Xmas jumper" makeover?
« on: November 18, 2022, 16:01:38 PM »
Not a Christmas jumper person (not really a Christmas person either but that's a different matter) and I'll be at one or possibly two (or more) events next month - one or two concerts, one party - where they are the dress of choice. Hmm.

I refuse to spend money on one. I'd considered buying (or making) an applique or iron-on Christmas star or something vaguely tasteful, to put on an old black or (faded) red sweatshirt from the back of my wardrobe. Not sure what else sewing-wise would work but all suggestions gratefully considered.

I'm tempted to buy a red scarf for a tenner from Amazon, one with either silver foil or one with  robins on, and wear it with a black top. At least I'd be likely to wear it again. I'm fond of scarves, just don't have a red one.

What do you think? Any other ideas? First event is a concert I'm playing at on 4 Dec where I wouldn't be the only one with a red scarf. Second is a volunteers party I'm considering skipping or just showing my face at. I may have answered my own question but would welcome other answers too!


11
I'm probably overthinking this ... I want my (double) quilt to be very thin/light/cool. I'm going for an all or mostly cotton wadding - nothing fancy - and my choices here are limited to two. I'm trying to decide between Warm & Natural which I know is very popular and has poly scrim, and Bosal Katahdin Autumn Weight which is 100% cotton, no scrim. I'm told that the Bosal is slightly thinner and my rationale is that it would be cooler because no poly. I don't know if my rationale is correct - has anyone here used it?

Price point is the same. I'll be quilting on a standard Janome with extension table and the quilt line distance is not an issue (Bosal is up to 8" apart). So would I have problems with the one without scrim? I've only FMQ'd a cot quilt before now and looking at the remaining piece of cotton wadding I see no scrim. But am I just inventing the added warmth of a poly scrim? Hmm. Any thoughts, advice welcome please!

12
Current Projects / My scrappy D9P
« on: August 21, 2022, 07:52:51 AM »
See, I'm learning the language already :). For my disappearing 9-patch double quilt I calculate that I will need 25 x 9-patches, plus a 6-8 inch border. So 225 x 5" squares.

In the photo are 3 rows of squares:
Top row: FQ size, so 12+ of each
Middle row: 4-8 of each (plus 6 of another navy fabric)
Bottom row: singles

Done 184 so far, and propose to cut most of the rest from the lighter fabrics at the very back of the photo to give a better colour balance of lights and darks. There's plenty of the two lightest fabrics - white striped table cloth and v v pale (washed out) blue duvet cover.

I could use a dark, or a pale, square in the centre of each patch to give the eye some kind of a repeat pattern - or maybe not, leave it more random. What would you do? I'm after a sort of Boho chic look if that makes any sense at all.

I'd appreciate any Darksider thoughts and comments on my balance of lights/darks. Or my calculations/plan. All fabric pictured is ancient stash I want to use up (so I can purchase more :devil:) Should I buy more FQ's and dispense with the border entirely? I need to decide these things before I start the assembly.

Thanks!
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13
I've been thinking about making a 'proper' quilt for ages and, since I don't need any more clothes, now seems like the right time to dive in. I made a cot quilt a few years ago but used a panel so I've no experience with piecing, making blocks etc.

Plus I specifically want to use up a bunch of my blue-toned fq's, remnants and scraps. So a relatively easy scrap quilt that looks good, maybe a double size since I think that would be the most useful, not sure. These are the 'scraps':
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My quilting friend has suggested this - she can supply the pattern - but to me it looks a bit ambitious for a first go and I'm not sure how it would suit my scraps: https://youtu.be/BteUqq1Cq7c
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I was looking at something more like this which looks more straightforward - or is it?
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I've looked at a lot of YT videos for scrap quilts, easy quilts etc but don't seem to have found what I want - too complicated, too basic, too small etc. I wondered about just starting with constructing some 9 patches from 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 inch squares and then seeing how they'll look when laid out. Or should I follow a pattern? 

Any thoughts, advice and design suggestions would be more than welcome!

14
In the wardrobe / And another M6886 top
« on: August 17, 2022, 18:22:48 PM »
Not exactly a challenging sew but I may as well post the very few items I've managed to make these past months.

This fabric might look familiar as I used it for the dress I made for the March 2020 wedding which got cancelled by Covid. The dress is still there, sadly unworn, but there was just enough fabric left for a t-shirt. It's M6886 again, with a neckline somewhere between the views A and C. It would have been more sensible and practical to convert the dress to a top since I'll probably never wear it, but hey.

The print is a bit 'showy' for me but fabric has a nice feel, it's some sort of modal/cotton blend I think. I often have the urge to tinker with my makes to make them more wearable and I'm wondering now if a plain navy neckband and sleeve bands might just tone it down a little and give a more casual look. It would be easy enough to do. I really shouldn't make things I'm not happy wearing in public.

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15
In the wardrobe / Pattern Emporium Songbird Jacket
« on: August 10, 2022, 21:17:29 PM »
I've been absent for a while, not sewing much I'm afraid, and missing the encouragement I get from being on TSP, so I will do my best to make and post more the rest of this year.

Last make was using the Pattern Emporium Songbird. It has lots of variations - 4 lengths, 4+ sleeves, 2 front band widths - and can be made from woven or knit fabric. It comes together easily and fast. I used a thin, viscose jersey fabric that's been in my stash for several years.

Unfortunately when it was finished I didn't like the way the short front band looked...at all. So I added a piece on each side to lengthen it to the hemline. I swear it would have been quicker to remake the entire garment! The print means that the joins don't show at all which is lucky. And I still have half a mind to lengthen the sleeves.

I chose the size according to my high bust which is what the pattern says to do, and it's fine for a summer throw on, but I'd size up for anything else. So many indie patterns run small! I'll probably make this again - with a full front band.

Original jacket with short bands here:
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And several hours of unpicking and resewing later...
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