The Sewing Place

Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - mammafairy

Pages: [1] 2 3 4
1
Technical Help / Re: Should I have made this collar stiffer?
« on: July 29, 2019, 22:12:35 PM »
Love your fabric choice! and I suspect only you notice that crease, it looks lovely, but if it bothers you enough, then the ladies have given you the way to go!

2
Technical Help / Re: Up my game
« on: May 29, 2019, 09:24:46 AM »
Its even harder now there are fewer fabric shops.


In Manchester area we are quite lucky for fabric shops. Depending what you are after there is Abakhan- there is one in Altrincham, Bolton as well as Central Manchester- all carrying slightly different lines- then Bambers do not do badly for a smallish space and then there is the warehouse in Eccles- can't recall what it is called? Fabricland or something like that-and then there are the Indian shops in Rusholme, and that is apart from Leons Near the south Manchester cemetery, and a few others.
No we do not have heaps of choice, but more than a lot of other places. It would be easier if there were several of us after the identical fabric- I know a place where you can buy but only by the 20 metres or so... and their range is amazing. I get to go there for mass buying for costume making.

It is patterns that I find more difficult!

3
Patterns Discussion / Re: Pattern envy...
« on: April 16, 2019, 22:32:28 PM »
Ok, thanks all- I have bought the pattern on the basis, if I do not, I might regret it... Now I have to make it, don't I?

Just do not hold your breaths...

4
Patterns Discussion / Pattern envy...
« on: March 31, 2019, 22:23:45 PM »
I am officially in love!  I was shown
https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8333

I am drooling. I a most disgraceful way, I. Want. That. Pattern!

Trouble is, would I ever get round to making it!

what does everyone else think? Do you like?  Or is it just me?

5
Technical Help / Re: Taking Measurement- Need a Graphic Chart
« on: January 12, 2019, 21:42:13 PM »
@eclectic I never heard of a croquis before! wow what a sensible idea! Thanks for the mention!

6
Technical Help / Re: interfacing question
« on: December 16, 2018, 12:56:10 PM »
For some fabrics the glue on the Bondaweb, or other fusible web may show through, but for most things they are great. If you are cutting something intricate, fuse onto the applique fabric first, and then cut out.

7
Patterns Discussion / Re: Pattern for a smocked baby dress or romper suit
« on: December 16, 2018, 12:45:27 PM »
I used a 'smocking machine' once. It belonged to a college. The problem was that it twisted, so the lines did not come out straight, and also, you could only do a panel, as the bottom of the fabric did not go through , so you were limited with what you could do.

I preferred putting the gathers for smocking by hand, and made a number of baby dresses with smocking for my girls, when they were small. I think I had Simplicity patterns, which came with the transfer. After it stopped working I penciled in the dots with a ruler. That is time consuming, but it does work.

PS You are evil, I just got lost in smocking for a bit...

8
Patterns Discussion / Anyone know a pattern like this?
« on: November 28, 2018, 10:19:44 AM »
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

A young man I know is getting married in May nest year, and wants me to make a waistcoat like this. He would buy it but it is the wrong colour. Anyone know a pattern that looks similar?

I have looked at this one
https://jaycotts.co.uk/products/b6339-single-or-double-brested-vests#.W_5qdOj7SUl

He specifically wants double breasted, and the curved collar effect.

9
Style patterns worked better for me than other producers, they seemed to just fit. Simplicity were my second choice, this all in 1970s and 80s, into the 80s and I went Burda all the way, but now I adore Vogue. Tricky, but so satisfying. Or I do my own, if I feel I know what I am up to...

I have quite a lot of old Style patterns lurking, as I cannot throw away a pattern!

10
Embroidery and Embellishment / Re: Who would have thought...
« on: October 10, 2018, 12:16:27 PM »
I know that somewhere I saw an A4 size magnifiying sheet. If you could prop up something like that and then work behind the 'window', that ought to do it.  No idea where or how though.  Aha - google 'magnifying  sheet UK'.  Some of the items look hopeful.

Sadly these magnifiers are 'Fresnel magnifiers' which means that detail is not good. It makes the overall thing look bigger, but less clear. Ok if you can cope withthe added blur, but for fine sewing it is a no no...

Fresnel means that you have rings of prisms, which behave likr a lens, but the lines cause interference.


11
The Haberdashery / Re: Best rotary cutter for quilting/patchwork
« on: September 22, 2018, 13:12:35 PM »
I love my 'sew easy' one... but use Fiskars, Olfa etc with no problem.  :D

12
Hi, I'm new... / Re: Hey everyone!
« on: September 19, 2018, 16:43:43 PM »
Well, no-one knew it all before they started, and we all seem to manage! I am sure you will be fine, and if you want help, no matter how trivial, ask, You will get loads of slightly different approaches to consider.
I can confuse almost anyone!

13
House Beautiful / Cushion covers
« on: September 12, 2018, 19:25:39 PM »
I find cushion covers an easy gift to personalise, does this mean it is cheating as my go to gift to make? I have just delivered another cushion cover to a friend's daughter, and realise that I must have almost everyone I know with one by now.
It is so easy to make them a good colour- Golden Wedding gift, ruby wedding gift, wedding gift, 100th birthday gift, almost any occasion.
I am feeling as if it is my get out of thinking version now, so, should I stop making them? What could I substitute?

14
In the wardrobe / Re: Burda 6779 navy lace dress
« on: September 10, 2018, 21:09:26 PM »


Lovely dress! I love lace dresses but could never muster up the courage to make one!

Ah go on- it was not nearly as difficult as I anticipated. Give it a go!

15
Patterns Discussion / Re: Burda magazine September 2018
« on: September 08, 2018, 23:04:28 PM »

SewRuthieSews
Try Tesco's if there is one near you. I usually get mine there. Smith's stopped doing them in Manchester a few years ago, and although they may have started again, I don't bother- just Tesco...

Pages: [1] 2 3 4