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Topics - elisep

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Fun with Fabric / Are all faux suedes created equal?

« on: June 06, 2017, 13:11:45 PM »

My newest crusade is to make myself some riding breeches... every pair I have in my wardrobe have mysteriously shrunk

I'm making full seated breeches and need "Ultrasuede" for the seat. Now, if I understand correctly, Ultrasuede is a trade name, and any faux suede should be suitable?
Does anyone have any advice for me? It needs to be hardwearing... as you can imagine the seat of a pair of breeches gets a bit of wear!!
I've found some on Ebay in various colours for a good price (and free shipping from the UK!) but I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good quality faux suede online?

Thanks!

In the wardrobe / UFO Busting!

« on: May 21, 2017, 14:49:00 PM »

I thought I'd make myself a thread all of my own to track my progress on my UFOs. I was away travelling for 6 months (and expected to be away for longer, but my plans changed) so I've a fair few things that I put away and am trying to cut through. Unfortunately I put on a few kg's while away so I suspect a few things may be to small! But will cross those bridges as I get to them.
I'm hoping to intersperse my UFO-busting with new projects otherwise I'll get a bit bored! I'm also on a pretty tight budget at the moment so trying to limit my purchase of new fabrics (why is it so hard?

) and also use up a bit of my stash!!

First on my list is Vogue 9157, view C (mandarin/stand up collar) in black melton wool. I'm making it as per length of view A though, for a casual coat. I hand tailor my coats and was going swimmingly on this one, nearly finished the outer and ready to move onto the lining, when I got stumped by the collar. I finally figured out that the front part of the collar, with the two buttons, is just a floating piece that buttons on. I really don't like this idea as I feel it's going to sit strangely when the coat is unbuttoned. So I lost interest in it and put it away (that was last winter

) so now I'm re-working it to have a normal stand up collar, I've unpicked the collar and will add in a "front collar" at the side front seam with a bound buttonhole to match the rest, and pad stitching done by hand.

Current progress is - front collar re-drafted, bound buttonhole worked and hair canvas is pinned ready for pad stitching. After that I can then sew the lining together and sew that in. I might even get to wear it this winter!

Fun with Fabric / Trouble pressing silk/wool blend

« on: May 02, 2017, 13:33:40 PM »

Hi all,
Does anyone have any tips or tricks for getting a seams to stay pressed in an unruly fabric? I've just made up a softly structured blazer (Butterick 5928) in what I was told was a silk/wool blend. I bought it at a warehouse sale, so can only go on the seller's word, and no idea what the various percentages are. It's a light suiting weight, gorgeous fabric and very silky. I just can't get the seams to stay pressed, they keep softening. The hem particularly is a nightmare. It's not a standard jacket hem, I think it's what they call a bagged hem? and it just won't stay neatly pressed. In my experience silk and wool normally press very nicely... maybe it's actually a polyester blend? I should do a burn test.
Any ideas? Spray starch maybe? I've never had to use anything like that before. Help!

Hi, I'm new... / Another newbie here from TSF!

« on: May 02, 2017, 13:20:10 PM »

Hi everyone,
I'm so happy to have found TSP! I'm another from TSF, and have missed it terribly since it went down. Such a shame that all that wealth of information has been lost.
Anyway, I'm from Melbourne, Australia, and have been sewing for a few years now. I mostly make clothes for myself, but I love making costumes, and enjoy making the odd quilt here and there. One day I would like to make a business out of sewing, but I've a long way to go before I get there.
I look forward to getting to know you all!

Elise

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