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Topics - b15erk

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16
Technical Help / Jacket finishing
« on: September 20, 2022, 10:55:57 AM »
I'm just finishing my second coat/jacket.  It's a hack on the Pauline Alice Quart Coat, but leaving off the pleats.  I think I'll like it, as it will be warm, and suitable to wear with trousers.

However, I've hit a couple of problems as I approach the finish.  Firstly, I didn't make the same adjustments for the lining as I did for the rest of the jacket, so the lining is longer than the jacket, and not as well fitted as it might be.  I'm hanging it atm, but I think I'll need to be patient to get the lining to fit nicely without showing.

The most important problem I have is 'bounce' on the front seams.  Not sure if 'bounce' is the correct technical term, but the front and around the neck, is not lying as flat as it might.  I'm wondering if I could hand stitch it down any way, I've seen the finish on rtw, tiny stiches around the edge, but not sure what the stitch is called.  Any one of you lovely ladies have any help or advice? 

I also need to attach the lining in strategic places, but I think I'll just do some swing stiches to allow for movement - unless of course anyone knows of a better way...

Not such good pics as I took them at night, the jacket is more of a teal colour, but I think you can see where I've had to use clips on the seams.

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Jessie


17
Current Projects / My Christmas Pouch Bag Project
« on: September 12, 2022, 14:21:35 PM »
I know I've posted about two of these bags before, but these are my Christmas Bags, and I like them so much that I would like to make a record of how I make them.

For these 4 bags, I have used two lovely 1/4 yards of fabric, a lovely rich brown, and a beautiful burgundy.  I've mixed them with my home made fabric, and managed to get three fronts out of it, by a little bit of jiggery pokery.

First job was cutting out: 4 pieces 25*15 cms main fabric, 1 piece 25*12 main fabric,  the same pieces cut out in lining.
I did muck about with the fabric to incorporate my own fabric, but the measurements stay the same.  I'll also cut out 8 pieces suitable for strap holders - I do them 1 cm wide finished.  I think I may have to buy a little more fabric as 1/4 mtr didn't leave much left... :rolleyes:

I very quickly found out that the burgundy doesn't like the iron, and there was some unpicking and replacing going on!

All told, I have managed to get 4 bags cut out, three making use of my own fabric.  After cutting out, the handmade logos were attached - I did use a spot of glue, as I had forgotten that my made fabric was prone to fray.

This is where I'm up to.

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Jessie

18
Dolls and Toys / Leonora the Bunny
« on: September 06, 2022, 12:01:29 PM »
Another random project is developing today thanks to eldest DD.  I took her shopping, and she mentioned that her friend has a child who is three years old, blind, can't communicate, but is slowly learning to walk.  She remembered that I used to make things for the babies - very strange toys, blankets etc, and wondered if I would be up for it.

Well, yes I would, and I have kiddy fabric which needs using, so I have a couple of blanket ideas.  But then, on the SewMag website, I found a really nice Rabbit, with a free template.  It's all cut out now, so I went back for the instructions - and there are none!  I'm assuming that the instructions are in the magazine, and I don't have that particular issue...

LeonoraTheBunny

So, wondering if you lovely people can suggest any YouTube tutorials with basic toy (rabbit) making instructions.  I'm all cut out and ready to sew!  :boohoo: :boohoo:

Jessie

19
For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / In search of a Rivet Press
« on: August 24, 2022, 09:37:05 AM »
I'm making bags on the run up to Christmas, and also, a Scabard for my Sword mad grandson.  I dug the kit out last night - a tin full of hand pliers and presses, hammers and small metal anvils, and did a few practice runs.

Well, it seems my hands don't like pressing hard any more, and the hammered rivets looked pretty bashed about.  :headbang:

So, I've decided to invest in a 'proper' Rivet Press.  I've had a quick look on Amazon and the prices are a bit eye watering  :faints: - and I'm not sure I'm looking for the right thing.

If any of you use one of these for handbag making, or just decoration, would you feel able to advise before I plunge in and buy one?  I have an idea I may be able to use it for snaps as well?

Jessie

20
I found this pattern when I was looking for something else, and I really like it.  Has anyone used this or any other patterns by this company?  It seems expensive, but it also looks like something I would wear a lot (I have something similar rtw).

FultonSweater/BlazerPattern

Jessie

21
I have childrens fabric which I need to use up before the children get too big, so I went on a hunt for free patterns.  I wasn't looking for stylish, fussy or complicated, just basic patterns, mainly for sizing.

I came up with this website (nearly drove me mad with all the adds), but, the patterns look good enough.  I wanted slim leg pyjama/leggings, t shirt, crop top, and short leggings.  All four patterns for free.

I will report back, but meantime here's the website

Life So Savory

Jessie

22
Access All Accessories / CopyCatWristBag
« on: July 25, 2022, 13:40:18 PM »
This is a blatant copy of a bag I own.  It's most useful, but looking a bit shabby atm, so as I can't remember where I bought it, I thought I'd have a go myself.

It has two pouches, one of which has a zippered pocket at the front.  That is where I'm up to.

Now comes the head scratching bit, which I have an awful feeling should have been done earlier... :rolleyes:  The front part of the bag needs to be joined to the back, and at the same time, a strap holder needs to be attached.  :S

I should have ironed on some stabiliser at the joining point, and also the strap holder, so I'll try to do that before I go any further.  I'm not intending to use this - apart from as a crochet hook/knitting needle holder, so I won't worry too much about this.

Some progress pics.

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Jessie

23
Patterns Discussion / StyleArc Billie Woven Pant
« on: July 17, 2022, 07:24:27 AM »
I decided on this, after a big fat fail with the New Look pattern. 

Cutting out was easy, as the fabric is so nice - fingers crossed it fits, as I've put a bit of weight on since I cut the pattern out!

All was going well, until I reached the left hand pocket/opening/fastening.  What a faff!  No help from Pattern Review, so I had to work it out for myself.

Never done anything like this, and as one lady said on the StyleArc reviews, it needs a whole page of explanation, rather than a couple of pics and a sentence!

The fastening arrangement makes it quite unforgiving when making adjustments, as you have to make both sides symetrical. 

Tbh, I'm wondering if a back zip would be feasible?  A front zip would distract from the front, which is really nice... :thinking: :thinking:

If anyone has done these trousers I would be interested to know how you tackled the fastening arrangement.

Jessie

24
Patterns Discussion / NewLook K6704 (Free with SewMag)
« on: July 09, 2022, 19:42:48 PM »
I bought Sew Magazine in Asda last week as I fancied a sewing read, and found 3 rather nicee patterns came free with it, one of which I rather liked.  Unfortunately, I have no suitable summer trouser fabric, so I needed a trip to my local fabric shop.  I didn't want to go into town, so OH drove me, and waited - I had 15 minutes! 

As luck would have it, the remnant bin was overflowing, and immediately, two pieces of fabric threw themselves at me.  The first, about a yard and a half of fine cream jersey - perfect for camis!  The second a lovely black shiny glittery knit - about a yard, which will make up lovely at Hallowe'en.

Into the back room, and there was a lovely turquoise trouser weight, nothing fancy, but a great weight for trousers.  Just 3 yards on the roll, so she threw that in.  Further along, I spotted a glorious purple, but only a yard and a half.   That's it, that's me done.  I would have loved to root longer, as I was on a roll, but OH was baking in the car, so I paid and left.

£14 in total, but I have about 7 yards of really nice fabric in total.  I will cut the trousers out tonight maybe...

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Jessie

25
Vintage Machines / Singer 611g woes
« on: July 05, 2022, 11:05:03 AM »
This is my go to machine for buttonholes, and as I have been making shirtdresses, I fired it up, changed the template, and wizzed off a couple of practise buttonholes. Then I did a few more, scratching my head a bit whilst changing the tension.

Well, for once, the buttonholes weren't perfect - OK, but not perfect.

I decided to have a root around yesterday, dismantled and cleaned the upper tension.  I did find a couple of minor issues - the take up spring could do with changing, and the spring holder has the beginning of a crack in it.  Nothing to interfere with the tension though, and on pulling the thread through, it was fine.

I turned my attention to the bobbin tension - and what a can of worms I opened! Should I have left well alone, probably...  First indications were, that the tension was too high, but no matter how low I adjusted it, it stayed the same.  I then noticed that the thread wasn't taking up properly, therefore by passing the tension bit.  When I removed the bobbin holder, it seems that the bobbin holder may be falulty, and the small tension bar seems to have been 'tampered' with, as it isn't proving effective at taking the thread up and across the top of the bobbin.  :thinking: :facepalm: :thinking:

So, I looked up Helen Howes, and found what I needed - only to see that it was sold... :cry:  I might try to send and email later, but  I have the feeling that these may be like hens teeth.

Anyone know of a website which has pics of 611g parts so that I can compare??  Long shot I know, but without working tension my lovely 611g is a bit of a white elephant... :cry:

Jessie

26
Patterns Discussion / It's Toile Time!
« on: June 12, 2022, 18:35:17 PM »
As per usual, if I have a plan, I immediately want to deviate from it.  So, the jacket is on the back burner - again!

Instead, I'm doing a shirt dress - I have a thing about shirt dresses, and I saw one in TKMaxx which to me was well overpriced, but compared to the styles I usually wear, apparently currently in vogue... ;)

This one though is a bit special, as it has a shawl collar.  :thumb: Now here are the drawbacks.  They are both Very Old patterns, they look the same, but the patterns inside are different.  The dress pattern is a size 14 (old, 1980) and the blouse a size 18 (old,1986), and I had to compare one to the other for size.  Tbh there doesn't look much in it, and I've decided to just add a smidge to the dress pattern, and make a toile.  I'm using the dress pattern as it has a seperate yoke piece, and looks a bit less finicky than the blouse.

This is why I'm doing a 'proper' toile. I've made the blouse pattern several times, and although I like the finished result, I find it very fiddly.  I'm hoping that the shirtdress will be more straightforward.

So, all cut out, and ready to join front to back - wish me luck!

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Jessie

27
Technical Help / Fly Front Zipper
« on: June 09, 2022, 12:51:35 PM »
I'm having a purge on the UFO pile today, and started to put the waistband on a pair of trousers, when I realised that I'd put the zipper in really badly. 

It's ages since I did a FFZipper, and I can't remember which method I used.  I've looked at a few videos, and my Readers Digest books, and there are so many different methods.

Is there any one failsafe method for a FFZipper installation?  Or is it just trial and error?

I may yet save the trousers!  ;) (or just put them back in the pile!)

Jessie

28
Patterns Discussion / CopyCat Time!
« on: June 07, 2022, 13:24:36 PM »
I bought a lovely chiffon jacket in TKMaxx at the weekend, and I love it!  So simple though, that I'm hopeful I can copy it, and it will use up some of the chiffon stash.

Very simple pattern (I think), and very little sewing - always good for chiffon!

Watch this space...

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Jessie

29
Patterns Discussion / Butterick Nightie - Overkill?
« on: May 30, 2022, 20:01:50 PM »
I've nearly finished this gift for my friend, and need an opinion.  The fabric is a beautiful slithery, stretch, satiny stuff and a beautiful mauve - not as purpley as the pics.  I managed to match up some lace from the stash which I think goes well with it. 

However, when it was finished, I thought the front looked very plain, so I added my own embellishment (I haven't yet O/Locked it).  Have I gone over the top?  My friend is very glam, so I think it's OK, but I feel I need another opinion.
 
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Jessie

30
Patterns Discussion / BurdaStylle 126#02-2011
« on: May 21, 2022, 20:46:17 PM »
Just cut this pattern out, and straight away, there's a glaring problem (for me, you lot are far more savvy!)

On piece one, there is a curved front, and a cut out dart.  The pattern is telling me to add S/A's to the dart, which is OK, but then I read on, 'no allowance on the horizontal edges of the Centre Front (marked with scissors - but it isn't)'

But where does the horizontal edge start???  Does it make a step down by 4cms??

More research needed...sigh... :thinking:

Jessie

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