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Messages - Goth Gardiner

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31
Sewing Machines / Re: Is it OK to use generic sewing machine feet?
« on: November 05, 2020, 18:54:11 PM »
I usually sew binding by machine onto one side then turn and hand stitch.  So much neater and a softer finish.

Yes, that's what I do in instances where I care - otherwise I press the binding in half longwise and machine sew through the binding and fabric all in one go - and hope for the best.

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Sewing Machines / Re: Is it OK to use generic sewing machine feet?
« on: November 05, 2020, 15:45:05 PM »
I fell for the marketing on that particular foot and I have a Janome.  I can't get it to sew neatly, but in all fairness I can't get my other binding foot to sew neatly either.

I've always done binding by eye.  I'd be interested in seeing how you get on with it if you buy it.

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All done now!

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Your Name; Goth Gardener – 1 entry
What is it and for whom: Conversion of two tops/tunics into another top, two handbags and a mask.  All for me!
Pattern used: All self-drafted
Fabrics used: Black linen woven tunic with beadwork, purchased in a charity shop years ago. Black and silver stretch tunic , also purchased in a charity shop long ago. Lining for bags, interfacing and one length of silver piping from stash.
A short description on how you made it/problems overcome/etc.:
The original plan was to completely transform the black and beaded tunic, but there wasn’t quite enough fabric to make another top.  However, it combined with the silver fabric from the other top nicely I thought.

This is the new top along with handbag 1 (see below) and the obligatory mask.
   
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Close up of top (un-ironed).  I am proud of the binding!

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The silver piping is from my stash.
I used the bottom of the beaded top to make the yoke.  The short sleeves were cut from the sleeves of the tunic. The hems of both the sleeves and hem of the front  were the original hems. The binding around the neck and the bottom section were made from the stripey top.  As I had used this pattern before it didn't really present any difficulties. I moved the front darts from the side to being vertical as I didn't want to mess up the stripes and  I didn't sew the darts until after I'd sewn everything else as I haven't done this pattern using a stretch before, I ended up doing to the front darts twice as the first once weren't enough.

Handbag one.
I wanted to use the v-neck of the tunic to make a matching handbag, but it was a slightly awkward shape. But, while I had the whole pile of fabric dumped spread out I realised that the sleeves of the tunic were kind of handbag shaped:

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The front and back are from the tunic, and I used the v-neck to make an extra pocket on the front, which is useful for holding sanitizer and masks, or if preferred, small animals. The binding and handle I made from the other top.  The lining came from stash, and has a zipped credit card pocket, a phone pocket and a hook for attaching keys (yes, I am a bit paranoid about losing things).  It is fastened with a metallic clasp.

No real problems with this; I like the open pocket for masks, I wish I had been able to make it a bit bigger, but it's enough for an afternoon of coffee and cake.

But this still left me with fabric.
So I made a second bag from the black and silver fabric:
The other side of the flap is some of the linen from the other top.  Innards as per the other bag.  I had problems with this as I used cheap interfacing and the whole thing kept slipping and so my stripes don't quite match up (especially on the back, which I'm not showing you).  The flap uses the cuff from one of the sleeves where the pattern runs the other way, which I like, except for the mismatched stripes!

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35
I've been having real problems with this, and photos, and losing stuff.   :headbang:  :scream:.  So, so I don't lose things again, here are the words for my entry (from my laptop) and I'll add the photos shortly.

Your Name; Goth Gardener – 1 entry
What is it and for whom: Conversion of two tops/tunics into another top, two handbags and a mask.  All for me!
Pattern used: All self-drafted
Fabrics used: Black linen tunic with beadwork, purchased in a charity shop years ago. Black and silver tunic, also purchased in a charity shop long ago. Lining for bags, interfacing and one length of silver piping from stash.
A short description on how you made it/problems overcome/etc.:
The original plan was to completely transform the black and beaded tunic, but there wasn’t quite enough fabric to make another top.  However, it combined with the silver fabric from the other top nicely I thought.
This is the new top. The silver piping is from my stash.
I used the bottom of the beaded top to make the yoke.  The short sleeves were cut from the sleeves of the tunic. The hems of both the sleeves and the at the front of the bottom were the original hems. The binding around the neck and the bottom section were made from the stripey top.

Handbag one.
I wanted to use the v-neck of the tunic to make a matching handbag, but it was a slightly awkward shape. But, while I had the whole pile of fabric dumped spread out I realised that the sleeves of the tunic were kind of handbag shaped:

This is the finished bag, with baby elephant. 
The front and back are from the tunic, and I used the v-neck to make an extra pocket on the front, which is useful for holding sanitizer and masks, or if preferred, small animals. The binding and handle I made from the other top.  The lining came from stash, and has a zipped credit card pocket, a phone pocket and a hook for attaching keys (yes, I like am a bit paranoid about losing things).  It is fastened with a metallic clasp.

But this still left me with fabric.
So I made a second bag from the black and silver fabric:
The other side of the flap is some of the linen from the other top.  Innards as per the other bag (but I’m not showing you because I’m not that proud of it).

And, of course, the obligatory mask:


36
Previous sewalong entries / Re: November Cardigan Sewalong
« on: October 31, 2020, 14:23:38 PM »
I have the pattern, and two lots of fabric; one piece of fabric from stash and the other is the crushed velvet with silver overlay.

Neither of which are exactly "cardigan" material in the traditional sense, but it will be interesting to see how the pattern looks.

I am thinking that as we go into winter I'll be needing more layers as everywhere is supposed to have windows open. That's assuming that we don't all get locked in when Boris does his speech at 4pm.  If we are, I am hoping that this time my sewing mojo remains.

37
I saw this & I thought you may be interested! / Re: Flippity fish cat toy
« on: October 30, 2020, 13:36:21 PM »
Cats don't usually tire of ping pong balls because they disappear under ,/ behind furniture for periods then get rediscovered and batted round again.

So true, completely true.  We had to move the furniture out of our living room a few months ago.  My little Suki was in cat play heaven for a few hours with the number of ping-pong balls she and I found.

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Previous sewalong entries / Re: November Cardigan Sewalong
« on: October 30, 2020, 10:59:28 AM »
I have been playing with layouts for the Prima pattern. The fabric requirements given are overly generous for cutting out a smaller size as for sizes 10 or 12 it is possible to put the two main pattern pieces next to each other for 140cm wide fabric (it's possible for a size 14 but it is very tight).  Also, for me, the sleeves are going to reach way over the ends of my fingers, so by putting two pieces side by side and reducing the length of the sleeves I can reduce considerably the amount of fabric needed.

I've bought fabric based on a side-by-side pattern layout for a size 14.  But, please, don't base your fabric shopping on my opinion; try it yourself before buying!

40
Previous sewalong entries / Re: November Cardigan Sewalong
« on: October 24, 2020, 12:47:06 PM »
re the fabric quantities post, yes I just supplied what it says on the pattern, where they specify 130cm wide fabric.
The cutting layout shows the front cut twice on the folded 130cm fabric, and then the fabric refolded so the back is cut on the fold, but the two sleeves are single layer on the rest of the fabric.

The front piece is wider and longer than the back as the frontband/neckband is cut on to the front, and also at an angle to the grain.
So I wouldn't like to hazard a guess at whether you could make it with less than 2m of fabric if it was wider.


I'm guessing that I could order either 2 or 2.5 metres of 1.5m wide fabric, and "just" adjust the length of the front and back to fit onto the fabric to give me the longest length I can.

Bet you're regretting starting this! 

Does anyone know how long it takes for the patterns to be delivered?

41
I looked at the fabric I had left, the front of the stripey top, which is made up of a few pieces, and various pieces of black linen. From a sleeve and the bottom of the front I have cut out and started in another, much smaller bag, with a flap to cover the opening. The lining of the flap is the black linen.

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I know that this isn't a zero waste challenge, but I would quite like to use up the last couple of pieces, which are bits if the front under the arms.

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42
Sewing Spaces and Furniture / Re: Small item storage
« on: October 22, 2020, 13:28:25 PM »
A few years ago I was asked what I wanted for Christmas by my brother.  I asked for the smallest plastic boxes he could find. After a few years of plastic boxes for Christmas I now have 18 of them; they sit nicely on my Ikea photo shelf.  I've labelled them and sometimes they are even stacked by content too.

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Previous sewalong entries / Re: November Cardigan Sewalong
« on: October 22, 2020, 11:32:52 AM »
GG now gets lost in the internet looking for the perfect stretch faux suede.

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Previous sewalong entries / Re: November Cardigan Sewalong
« on: October 22, 2020, 10:53:49 AM »
If it's any help, my cable knit was quite thick - there are 3 layers bonded together.  It was fine, except where the bottom of the front neckband meets the lower band. There are so many layers that the whole thing wants to curl outwards. :S I handstitched it in place when it was finished.

I was thinking Iof crushed black velvet with a silver print. :laughing:. Not cable knit. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

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Previous sewalong entries / Re: November Cardigan Sewalong
« on: October 22, 2020, 09:51:40 AM »
@Goth Gardiner
Fabric suggestions from the pattern.
Jersey fabrics, such as wool jersey, cotton jersey, cotton mix jersey, acrylic jersey.

Their samples are made from cotton mix jersey fabrics from myfabrics.co.uk

Given the simple style I think it could be made in something with not much stretch, but obviously need to watch the sizing, and the width of the upper arm area. For similar things I have used ponte, fine sweater knits, novelty jacquard knits, sofa throws (both knitted and woven). Also chunky lace, burn out knit can be fun as you'll definitely be wearing it over another layer.
I find the tee shirt weight knits a bit thin for a cardigan, so wear those ones in the summer when I just want a light cover up.

So it depends what you want from your cardigan - then that can lead you to the fabric and sizing you choose.

Thank you!

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