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Topics - Samantha

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Vintage Machines / Jiggly knob
« on: November 13, 2018, 13:42:46 PM »
I have a Bernina 801 and I noticed today that the stitch length selector knob bounces up and down when I sew, seems to be only if it's set to 3 or 4. It sews ok though, any ideas what I can do to fix it?

@Roger

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Current Projects / Clutch bag
« on: June 11, 2018, 11:02:42 AM »
I did a clutch bag workshop on Saturday with Wendy at Sew What Darling, it was only a couple of hours long so I wasn't convinced I'd get it done but it was really quick and easy!

  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
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I've made it to match a dress I'm making for my brother's wedding in August. Better make the dress now!!

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40% off all full priced fabrics until the 10th June! I've never used them anyone here brought from them before?

https://www.adamrossfabrics.co.uk/

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For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / [Wanted] 80's fabric
« on: May 23, 2018, 17:30:29 PM »
I'm going to an 80's night end of June so I'm thinking I'll make myself a skirt, does anyone have in their stash so classic 80's fabric they might want to sell me?

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The Haberdashery / Tracing paper
« on: May 10, 2018, 15:28:17 PM »
I know it's been asked before but I'm particularly keen to know if anyone has used this and if so is it any good?

I don't use it that often, my current roll of Gateway stuff (20 meters) has lasted me 6 years so 136m should last me the rest of my life  0_0 but it is only 50gsm and I'm using 90gsm so I'm wondering if it's a bit too flimsy.

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A bit of a 'do' / Another wedding guest dress thread!
« on: April 19, 2018, 19:28:47 PM »
I want to make a dress like this with the high neck and contrasting bands

This is my main fabric and I have some soft mat black fabric for the neck and waist contrast

So now on to the pattern….

I have this one which I’ve made before

I was thinking it would be fairly easy to divide up the lace panel piece and merge with the 3 bodice pieces BUT it’s princess seams so I am going to have to do some serious pattern matching on the bodice pieces otherwise I think it will naff won’t it? (As well as pattern matching to the skirt if I can be bothered.)

Would a darted bodice be better? (aka easier) because it wouldn’t be so noticeable (as long as the darts are not too massive!)

Bodice c of this one which I have made a number of times

I’d need to higher the neckline front and back as well as draft the neck band from the other dress on to it and a straight skirt.

Hmmm I now think maybe pattern matching the Burda one might be easier – or find a new pattern.

Any thoughts?

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Technical Help / Neckbands on stretchy fabrics
« on: April 17, 2018, 17:08:21 PM »
I've made a few tops recently with stretch fabrics but I always have problems when doing the neckband, no matter how careful I am stretching the neckband to fit the bodice I always end up with a couple of puckers  :S Any tips? (I'm using my Bernina 801 with the stretch stitch and appropriate needle not an overlocker). Am I missing a trick?

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In the wardrobe / My latest 1 and 3/4 makes
« on: March 12, 2018, 12:05:27 PM »
First up is another McCalls sweatshirt made with merino wool and some other stretchy fabric with a faux lace print, quick easy, still not got the neckband quite smooth though. I have plans to make another one of these in some flamingo fabric from Ditto  :D

Second is my 3/4 make - the Floating Bodice dress (freebie pattern from a magazine). 3/4 make because I haven't hemmed the bottom or the sleeves or added the hook and eye above the zip! The reason being is because it's a bit snug around the hips so need to lose a couple of pound first! I made it because I've had the pattern for a while and always fancied it but not sure if it would look any good. Anyway eventually I thought I would use the fabric I got in our sewing group secret santa and I quite like it. It's a difficult one to fit because you have to pretty much make the whole thing before you can try it on and see the fit by which time it's a bit too late to make adjustments unless you want to unpick everything. I think it would be nice in a more drapey fabric and maybe the floating bodice in a different material from the rest.

(The wonky neckline is how it's sitting on the dummy, it's ok in real life.)


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In the wardrobe / Finally sewed something!
« on: February 11, 2018, 17:26:42 PM »
Had a bit of a mojo issue - ok with cutting stuff out but not actually doing any sewing. However today I finally got my machine out for the first time in 2018! This is McCalls M6992, only took a couple of hours to stitch up.

The front and the cuffs are some sort of faux stretch leather from The Church and the rest is merino wool jersey.

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Technical Help / Pattern altering or hacking
« on: February 08, 2018, 12:53:48 PM »
I think I'm going to make this dress for my brother's wedding in August




With the fabric (shown below) which is silk.

However it's too low at the front and the back (for me for a wedding, I think I should be wearing a bra) and too long.

I am ok with altering the length but it's the front and back I'm not so sure about.

Could I make the front and back less low by altering that pattern (you can see there is a midriff piece the bodice attaches too that could make it tricky?) Or I just use another bodice altogether?

I like the back of this dress a lot more than the front (I would be less self conscious about having a dress with a low back than I would the plunging front) so is there a way to keep the back as it is but insert a mesh or lace panel? What would go with the fabric? And then how would that affect getting the dress on and off? Or get one of those bras that has a really low strap (any good?)

Any suggestions people?

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In the wardrobe / Birthday shirt
« on: December 06, 2017, 11:38:28 AM »
We went to Goldhawk Road for my birthday in June and to keep my husband sweet whilst he was being dragged round numerous fabric I suggested he find some fabric for me to make him a shirt and I promised to do it for his Birthday (yesterday, finished it Monday!!).

This is the 4th attempt at making a shirt and is the best one so far (I used another of his shirts as a pattern) the collar doesn't stand up as much as he would like it so I think I need thicker interfacing next time.


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https://www.bhf.org.uk/TheBigStitch

Thought this might be of interest.

14
A bit of a 'do' / Dinner dance dress
« on: March 29, 2017, 16:35:20 PM »
We've been invited to a dinner dance (in September) and I would like to make my own dress. I have a large amount of two tone taffeta (freecycle!)  It's a very dark blue/green colour (similar to the photo below)

Of course I could buy some more fabric but it would be good to use up the stash a little!

Any dress pattern suggestions? I don't want it to look too bridsmaid-y which I worry if it's made from taffeta it could? (I'm aged 40 and dress size 12/14, pear shape)

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For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / [For Sale] Fabric for sale
« on: March 14, 2017, 14:08:26 PM »
Had a little clear out (so I can make room for more fabric  :ninja:)

Prices don't include postage which will be at cost

Teal/green spotted satin esq material
114cm x 2.5m
Not sure what exactly it is but it's thin and slippery. Very difficult to photograph to get the colour right, I would say it's teal but more on the green side.
£5
https://flic.kr/p/SWFaWB
https://flic.kr/p/SKn8sM
https://flic.kr/p/SKn8Qa

Parrots poly cotton remnant
Main piece is 88x60cm and then there's another 60cm on the bottom
£2
https://flic.kr/p/SmQ3wh
https://flic.kr/p/SmQ3j3

Flowers poly cotton
114x140cm
£3
https://flic.kr/p/SmQ2YJ
https://flic.kr/p/SKn72a

Floral and insects vintage fabric. This is fairly thick, probably upholstery fabric?
I have cut bits out of this so difficult to measure but if it was square (and not with cut outs) it would be 130x118 cm so still a decent amount for a couple of cushions or bag maybe?
£3
https://flic.kr/p/SKn6qF
https://flic.kr/p/RGKabv

Grey patterned thick fabric. Upholstery/canvas sort of fabric
140cm x 2m
£5
https://flic.kr/p/RGK9U8
https://flic.kr/p/SKn5zT

Green leafy patterned fabric.
Not sure what it is! The front is very soft but the back is almost like rubber? Quite thick and heavy.
155cm x 2m
£5
https://flic.kr/p/SKn52D
https://flic.kr/p/RGK9Di
https://flic.kr/p/SKn4Cn (the back is white but in trying to photograph the green side right it has made it look a bit yellow)

Brown suede-like fabric again with a rubber back, quite thick and heavy
145cm x 2m
£5
https://flic.kr/p/SmQ1XL
https://flic.kr/p/SmQ1LU


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