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Topics - b15erk

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31
Technical Help / Dart on Turn of Fabric
« on: May 16, 2022, 18:14:48 PM »
This is the Fleur Blazer - again, and the pesky collar!  I'd like to make some headway before I speak to BF tomorrow (we're doing a sew along)

This pattern calls for bagging out - the whole thing, including collar, which is OK, but...  On the main fabric, where the lapel and collar turn back, there is a small pleat.  My question is, how to incorporate it?  If there was no pleat there, I would cut into the corner, and straighten the collar out, but I'm a bit doubtful about this pleat... Do I still cut into the corner???

Does anyone know how to deal with this?  None of my books help, or Google so I need the nod off you lovely people, so that I can carry on.

This hasn't been an easy pattern, with little in the way of instructions, so I'm flying by the seat of my pants here.  If it was just me, I'd wing it, but I'm helping my friend through it, so I want to get it right.

Why it nothing straightforward... :facepalm: :thinking: :facepalm:

Jessie

32
Technical Help / Re: Jetted Welt Pocket with Flap...
« on: May 11, 2022, 09:59:16 AM »
I'm in search of yet another best way forward for me, and would like to hear your opinions/advice.

Atm, I'm doing a sewalong with BF, as she's having trouble with bits of her pattern.  I'm doing the same pattern, but to make it more interesting, I want to do a Welt Pocket - with a Flap!

So far, I've read various tutorials, and watched loads of Youtube videos - some good, some frankly apalling, but all have raised various points of interest which I need some advice on.

Firstly, Itch to Stitch . This was very detailed and helpful.

Second, and for me, the one I prefer, was Angela Kane Angela Kane

However, in each one, the welts are constructed differently.  ItoS uses welt strips, which I find easier and more accurate, but, it's bulky, and not as nice and flat (in my practise piece) as the AK one.  I am now wondering, if it is possible to combine the two...

I'm off to have a practise, but I would be really interested to hear your favourite method.

Jessie

33
Patterns Discussion / HelpNeededFleurBlazerPattern
« on: April 30, 2022, 13:56:01 PM »
I've just done a very silly thing.  I've been trying to scan a Pattern Instruction sheet for the Fleur Blazer, and not been able to do it - but, I left the sheet in the feed tray... 

I then went to print off another pattern, and forgot that the sheet was in the printer.  As a result, the pattern I wanted to print, has started to print over the Fleur Blazer sheet... :facepalm: :facepalm:

I caught it before it printed over the whole sheet, but unfortunately, some of the instructions have been printed over... :cry: :cry:

I'm helping a friend out by doing a sew-along with her, and I've made part of her sheet unreadable... :rant:

Can anyone help with a scan of the relevant instructions please? (Copyright permitting of course)

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Jessie

34
Fun with Fabric / SSssshhh! Bunting....
« on: April 22, 2022, 13:55:51 PM »
I hope @DementedFairy isn't listening in, but I've decided to make some bunting.

I needed a quick and easy project, as I don't know how long at a time my eyes will hold up.  So far though, with a great deal of snivveling and bathing of eyes, I've managed a few triangles.  The biggest challenge by far was threading the O/L...

We (not us personally) as a street, are having a party for her Maj's birthday, and as OH would sooner stick pins in his eyes, I thought I would make a bunting contribution...  The neighbours don't know yet, but we are hoping to get away to Southport for an overnighter - I doubt we'll be missed!  :laughing: The bunting will be by way of our apology... :rolleyes:

I've managed to find lots of red,white and blue scraps - even some Union flag fabric, so I will set to, and hopefully the neighbours will accept our Bunting apology... :rolleyes:

Jessie

35
I saw this & I thought you may be interested! / Stitch Please!
« on: April 21, 2022, 11:27:45 AM »
Just wondered if anyone has seen this programme?  I recorded it last week, and watched last night.  It's a bit of an odd one.  Young sewers (seem mainly Cosplay), are pitted against each other to produce an item based on a theme. 

I got to episode 4, where they had completely changed the format!!  I wish they had changed the presenter as well - the voice went through me (up and down sing song)...

There were some talented young people on there, shame the programme didn't show more of them.

It's an Irish production I think.

Jessie

36
A Good Yarn / Nightime Reading
« on: April 14, 2022, 11:03:29 AM »
Couldn't sleep again last night, and I'd just finished my latest book, so what to read? 

Well, I came across this little gem Circular Knitting Workshop by Margaret Radcliffe, on my Kindle booklist.  I think it was a freebie, but I suspect it's just a sample, but I read it all the same...

It wasn't a bodice ripping best seller, but I did learn a few things, and I'll be going back to the places I've bookmarked to look again.

Any other recommendations?

Jessie


37
Technical Help / Printing problem
« on: March 29, 2022, 09:10:10 AM »
Not sure if this is the right place for this - Mods, feel free to move.

I've just bought 2 Stylearc pdf patterns, and I'm tearing my hair out trying to print at the correct scale.  My test square should measure 10cms, but mine is measuring over 12cms!

I have a Brother printer and all the updates are up to date.  Stylearc say to print to actual size, but that is not one of my options...

Anyone else had this problem?  Ready to scream - or throw the printer through the window!

Jessie

38
Overlockers & Coverstitchers / Wooly Nylon problem
« on: March 22, 2022, 10:44:53 AM »
I was trying to finish the McCalls top last night, and I was nearly tearing my hair out with frustration by the time I had finished.

I use the Singer overlocker on a regular basis as it means I can leave the Pfaff coverstitch combi threaded up, and since I had it, I have had no problems at all.  It's not the prettiest, certainly not the quietist, but it does get on with the job.

Until last night that it.  I changed the thread to match the project colours a bit better, and replaced the pink wooly nylon with grey wooly nylon.  Should have been straightforward.  Not so.  For some reason, the wooly nylon has been shredding, and fouling up the mechanism.  I must have removed thread nests and re-threaded at least a dozen times.  I even changed the bobbin of wooly nylon, but it didn't improve matters.

Anyone else had trouble with wooly nylon?  First time for me, and strange because my o/l already had wooly nylon in it...

Hmmmmm :thinking:

Jessie

39
Technical Help / Sleeve length question
« on: March 10, 2022, 11:00:52 AM »
I did my jacket tJesoile yesterday, and made a few alterations  which I transferred to the pattern.  Unforttunately, the brain cell missed a beat, and I forgot to shorten the sleeves - which are several inches too long.

The sleeves are a simple one piece, and the only thing I can thinks to do, is to lift the pattern off the fabric, move it up and re-cut.  Is this the correct way to do it?

Such a numpty...

Jessie

40
Technical Help / Why I'm a toile convert
« on: March 09, 2022, 09:59:13 AM »
For much of my sewing life, I placed my faith in the patternmakers, a slim, pretty standard fit body - and a lot of luck.

These days, with a rather different shaped body, a lot of patterns designed for the 'average' woman - and a huge stash to use up, I have come more and more to rely on toiles.

Not your couture type toile, just an old bit of fabric to test size, techniques and style, but it makes such a difference.  Things fit better and I don't waste my 'nice' fabric on something unsuitable.

The latest sacrifice to the toile stash is an old duvet cover, but I also have lots of cheap sheets, upholstery weight fabric, and remnants of various stretch fabrics.

Also, I don't do anything fancy with the toile - usually it isn't a 'wearable' toile, and just sew as much as I need to.  Sometimes - like the camisole I recently made, they are suitable to wear in the garden, but, sometimes they will be re-used for other things or used for ironing cloths, and test scraps.

Sometimes it's just a way of avoiding making an expensive mistake for me, and avoiding a style which will not suit me.

Jessie

41
A Good Yarn / Knitting Dilemma
« on: February 24, 2022, 10:08:44 AM »
Well, my latest project has ended in disaster - at least for now.  I found I only have one ball of yarn left, and two sleeves and a front band left to do.  Don't feel too sorry for me, it's my own fault really.  The pattern calls for the ribs and neck band in a contrast colour - I could have done this, as I have the same yarn in blue, but I thought the cardi would be more useful in one colour - well now it isn't going to be useful at all!  :rolleyes:

The yarn I'm using is a mohair type, very soft, which I bought several years ago from a charity shop.  I bought a bag of pink, and a bag of blue, so I could have done this pattern easily.  The yarn is lovely and soft, but difficult to knit.  However, I have found needles - purely by accident which suit my hands better than the metal I've been using.  These are acrylic, and an odd pair which I think I bought acidentally.  The points haven't dug into my hands like the pointy metal ones (I have an odd knitting style).

So, the choice is, to dig out a UFO - I have a couple (about 5 really), or start something new.  I have a  couple of patterns in mind, but I'll be double checking yarn quantities in advance!

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Jessie

42
Technical Help / Skewed Fabric
« on: February 10, 2022, 10:34:14 AM »
I've lifted out some fabric I bought years ago, and intend to make a coat with it.  Unfortunately, when I laid out the fabric, it looks off grain.  Not sure if this was caused by the weaving process, or the way it's been stored, but it's definitely 'off'.

I've seen a process on Youtube some time ago where the farbic was pulled into shape, but this fabric is quite heavy, and there's a lot of it...

I wonder if steam would help?

Has anyone done this, if so, is there a better way?

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Jessie

eta if this is in the wrong place, will the mods please move it?

43
Access All Accessories / The Ultimate Carry All Bag
« on: February 05, 2022, 13:15:35 PM »
A bit out of my comfort zone this, but it came up on a FB feed, and it looks fab!

I have made a few bags, although nothing as complex as this.  I would like to know though if a beginner could tackle this bag?

The Ultimate Carry All Bag

Any and all thoughts will be very welcome.

Jessie

44
Patterns Discussion / Cannibalise a Coat Pattern?
« on: February 03, 2022, 10:34:41 AM »
As many of you know, I bought what should have been a gorgeous coat via FB, which was so hideous that I'll never wear it.  I got money back from PPal, but I'm left with the Hideous Coat, which I plan to donate to charity.
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I was looking for a similar coat pattern yesterday, while trying to fix the printer, and came up with nothing, so wondering if any of you lovely people can suggest a suitable pattern.  If so, that would be excellent, as I have found some absolutely gorgeous fabric which I have had since Adam was a lad - and matching lining!  Seems a shame to waste it...
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If not, a radical thought came into my mind - should I sacrifice the Hideous Coat, and use it as a pattern??? :o :rolleyes: -< 

I'd rather use a 'proper' pattern, but wondering if it's an option...

Jessie


45
A Good Yarn / Knitting Techniques
« on: January 06, 2022, 09:36:17 AM »
This thread has come out of my frustration at not knowing how to do something, and becoming sidetracked by the need to know.  By the time I have mastered the skill, invariably the project has become a UFO.

Anyone else have this problem?

My latest and ongoing frustration was with the tubular cast on with provisional yarn - sounds like a mouthful I know, but it's a lovely rib finish for necks and hats.

Anyone else struggle with techniques in the same way? 

Jessie


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