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Messages - datcat23

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31
Current Projects / Re: Christmas Craft 2022
« on: July 04, 2022, 22:44:54 PM »
Oh I forgot one thing I was planning ........ sorry @DementedFairy  ....... I plan to make some more xmas bunting.   

32
Current Projects / Re: Christmas Craft 2022
« on: July 03, 2022, 10:33:08 AM »
Actually I might just get started with this!

I don't usually gift anything to friends but I want to make a Christmas oven glove.

What a fantastic idea @Helen M .  Just because its xmas, doesn't mean gift sewing has to be for others! I think its great if you can sew for yourself.   Also consider if you want to sew for charity, perhaps gifts to a local nursing home, or other charitable group?  All types of giving are great!

33
Current Projects / Christmas Craft 2022
« on: July 02, 2022, 13:07:03 PM »
 :dance:   Yep, its that time again, time for Datty to give you peeps the heebeejeebies ..... and mention ....... the "C" word.   :devil:

My aim in life, is to help you all avoid that envitable spiral of doom, that can be xmas sewing.

So start your planning, and don't be afraid to share any links or tutes you have found.  Lets get started!!!

So, I have a very small group to sew for this year, my new job just means that I no longer have to sew for an excessive number of people.

1:  4 X machine embroidered xmas tree baubles (there will also be fudge and peppermint slices) - work peeps
2:  6 x lined shopping bags - sewing group peeps
3.  8 hemmed linen napkins and 3d printed napkin rings - very good family friends
4.  things not yet planned for nephews and niece
5.  things not yet planned for MIL
6.  things not yet planned for hubby and children.
7.  Quite likely hubby will ask me to make something for his work peeps, at the last minute.

Anyways ..... join in, and plan away.  Get strarted, so that xmas can be enjoyable.

34
As someone who upcycles a lot, I would throw my vote into the "use the fabric for something else" barrel.

I have seen an image/pin somewhere, where a person used the fabric from an old wool suit, to make a lovely masculine pleated scarf.

Micarah Tewers did a video on upcycling a suit jacket into a regency spencer. 

There was a contenstant on Great British Sewing Bee, who used a mens suit to make an overalls style pinafore for a young girl. 

Piece the fabric from the back of the jacket and legs together, make yourself a kilt!   :laughing: :laughing:

Bleach it white, and then go to your next 80's party as a Talking Heads lead singer. 

I would hate it to go to waste. 

35
I can't offer any help with a scrappy quilt, as anything random tends to make me twitch more than a little.  I am far from an expert, being more of a "dabbler" rather than a quilter.  I understand your reticence to post, however I am sure that your fabric choices are lovely, and despite your struggles with randomness, I am sure your quilt has its charm.   

I do feel the need to address the comments issue.  Not just this forum, but I think just generally on the internet, you do get a level of "well they meant well".  When someone is passionate about their hobby, and  faced with the opportunity to pass on that knowledge, sometimes they are so caught up with what they are saying, that they perhaps overlook what the question actually is, or what the questioner is asking.  What they may see as constructive feedback, can be received as hurtful.  I am certain that I have been as guilty of this, as anyone else.  I don't find quilters to be a malicious bunch on the whole ..... certainly some can be thoughtless, unnecessarily blunt, set in their ways, or a bit prone to want to apply rules where there need not be rules.   But many others can be endlessly supportive, provide wonderful suggestions, and pass on valuable skills.  A bit like out there in the real world I think. 

This is not to say that your feelings aren't valid.  I understand you are hurt, and am sorry that it happened.

36
Changing patterns of a lifetime takes time, but you are doing so well.   Doing the furniture shuffle is sometimes harder than if you just emptied the entire room, and started from an empty shell, but only do that if you really feel up to it.  Keep your mind on the result ....... a wonderful space to create in.  You will get there.   :dance:

37
In the wardrobe / Re: Not much to show for 2021
« on: January 08, 2022, 01:44:59 AM »
There is nothing wrong with having a lean year.  2021 was a lean year for me (compared to previous years) but I am a big believer that we have a finite amount of mental resources, and we have to allocate them wisely.

So last year, I was dealing with some health issues, working from home full time, in permanent anxiety about the plague, had some major family stuff .... it all added up.  And sometimes, like a full fruitbowl, when you add something to one side, something is going to fall out the other.  For me, that was a lot of my sewing.  But, this is not a competition, there are no prizes, nor should we punish ourselves (or allow others to punish us).  Its not a hobby that goes off, you will come back to it when you have more mental space.   :hug:

38
I have a 3 drawer filing cabinet. The top two drawers hold my regular patterns (big 4), along with some indie ones.  For regular patterns I put each one into a A5 sized clear ziplock bag, and any traced pieces can then fit in along with the pattern, without wrecking the pattern envelope.  For my pattern magazines, and the bigger indie patterns, I use plastic folders (sort of a plastic envelope, we call them simplick wallets) to hold the magazine/patterns, and any traced versions. These are in the bottom drawer of the cabinet, and in two, three ..... a number of plastic tubs in the sewing room, and hall cupboard, and spare room.   :facepalm: 

I need to purge my patterns again, its getting a bit out of hand. 

39
Technical Help / Re: V neck on a knit tunic
« on: October 04, 2021, 10:46:24 AM »
@annierose ... I understand the worry when dealing with precious fabric.  :faints: Rather than a high round neck, try a scoop neckline, with a rounded v-neck. 

But better to try the facing option next time. 

40
Technical Help / Re: V neck on a knit tunic
« on: September 26, 2021, 00:36:56 AM »
There is nothing wrong with a v-neck on knit fabric, and facings are certainly the way to go.  Staystitching the neckline is certainly a good option, but I use narrow strips of interfacing along the seamline to achieve the same thing (about 1cm wide).  I actually have seam stabilising tape, which is strips of interfacing, with a row of stitching up the centre of the strip.     Remember to interface the facing with knit interfacing if you have it.  I actually block fuse interfacing to a piece of fabric first, and then cut out the facing, so that it doesn't stretch out when cutting.  Also, remember to under-stitch the facing, so it doesn't roll out. 

41
A bit of a 'do' / Re: Bridesmaids outfits
« on: August 30, 2021, 23:10:52 PM »
If you have enough scraps of the floral lawn, remember to make pocket handkerchiefs for all the groomsmen. 

I am impressed with your sewing, and your plan for your wedding party.  They are really quite beautiful. 

42
Current Projects / Christmas Craft 2021
« on: July 27, 2021, 12:48:37 PM »
 :faints:  Yep, its that time again, when I suck draw you all in  :grouphug: to collectively encourage each other, to get our sewing planned and completed in time, so we aren't panicking at the end of the year. 

So lets get it over with ..... CHRISTMAS !  XMAS !  FELIZ NAVIDAD!  the season for giving!   :scream:

Now, for the uninitiated ..... I do this every year, encourage all to start planning, start sewing early, and enjoy the process.  As usual I started planning in February, but don't mess with you all that early.

I only have a small number to sew for this year, so am keeping it fairly simple, with embroidered table napkins, and probably some fudge, rum balls and gingernuts.  I may sew for family this year, but I have no idea what I will make.

Now .... your turn. 

43
The Show Must Go On / Re: Mary Poppins Costume - Project Log
« on: July 17, 2021, 23:31:56 PM »
Well, its all done bar the petticoat. 

As I said before, as only the second ever suit type jacket I have ever made, the fit is a little bit off, but DD is very happy with her costume, and looking forward to wearing it.

This weekend, I finished the buttonholes  (including having to unpick half of one ....  :rant:  ), attached the back belt.  She came over with the other bits, and we did a full try on.

Poppins costume by Dani, on Flickr

The pleats are a favourite.
Poppins costume by Dani, on Flickr

Poppins costume by Dani, on Flickr

44
The Show Must Go On / Re: Mary Poppins Costume - Project Log
« on: July 17, 2021, 23:18:13 PM »
That's lovely.  Will she be dancing in that jacket? Looks too good for costume! Can she lift her arms without the body lifting?

No she won't be dancing, she is a teacher, and this costume is for bookweek.  She can lift her arms but of course the jacket will move.  The jacket is pretty much a modern fit, rather than the more tight fitting, vintage fit.  She isn't wearing a corset, so I have to work with her natural shape.  And I will admit, that the fit isn't the best, but she is happy. 

45
Hi, I'm new... / Re: Oh no, another bloke!
« on: July 10, 2021, 05:06:32 AM »
I do agree that specialised machines (ie overlocker or coverstitch) are a luxury, and not necessary to produce a quality product. 

A note on stretch stitches (sometimes call lightening stitch).  These most definitely are for working on stretch/knit fabrics, but they aren't essential for all seams.  Mostly you would use them for seams that are under strain ...... where clothes are tight fitting etc.  I only ever use the stretch stitch when making underwear.  When I make tshirts, or other knit items, me being older, and relatively lush in the figure department,  I don't particularly like tight fitting clothes.  So for the side seams, sleeves etc, I will use a straight stitch.  I may use a very narrow zigzag when attaching a neckband or sleeve cuff, and as others have said, a twin needle on a regular machine gives a good hem finish that is also slightly stretchy.

But the main reason to only use lightening stitch when you absolutely have to ...... is because its an absolute toad to unpick.   :headbang:

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