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Topics - realale

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Overlockers & Coverstitchers / New overlocker tips
« on: February 29, 2024, 14:29:13 PM »
So, as I explained on my diary thread, my old and trusty overlocker is now no longer trusty and is in fact headed for the great scrap heap in the sky.
I'm going to be looking at new overlockers at the NEC Sewing for Pleasure in three weeks and trying out a few so has anyone any good tips that I should look out for?
I'm not too fussed with a needle threader but I do like a thread catcher.
I don't think I want to go to the expense of an air threader.
Differential feed is a must.
I'm not after specific brands or models just a few tips on things you have found useful/annoying on yours eg knife disengage easy to access etc.
Thanks in advance for your help.

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We are visiting Devizes and came across this quilting and yarn shop that is closing on Saturday 10th February. Makower fabrics £8 per m.
It's a retirement sale.

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In the wardrobe / Cutting singularly or double?
« on: February 01, 2024, 19:34:58 PM »
I always cut my patterns out on double fabric because that's what I've always done and it's what most pattern layouts tell you to do. However, on one of my rabbit hole research journeys ( :P wasting time on tinternet!!) I read that cutting singularly uses less fabric.  ::thinks::
The only time I have cut out singularly - other than for pattern matching or some specific reason - as far as I can remember, is when I made my bridesmaid dress for Demented Fairy's wedding. I used the calico toile we'd fitted together. I've used that pattern since and used the calico again and from what I remember it was a breeze to cut out.
But I can't remember if it was a more economical use of fabric or not. So before I trace off my next pattern what are your thoughts on this?

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Patterns Discussion / Pattern sale
« on: January 01, 2024, 16:11:39 PM »
I've had an email from Jaycotts to say they are having a pattern sale across all brands until Jan 8th. There's up to 75% off.
Tempting......  :P

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Current Projects / Does it need another row?
« on: November 16, 2023, 11:16:04 AM »
Help please!!!
I've just laid out my 30 blocks in a 5x6 format and am wondering if another row on the bottom would be better. I've laid it out on a throw I have and though the width is fine the length seems a bit short. I could put on a deep bottom border but think that may look odd.
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Any ideas anyone?

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A Good Yarn / Sock yarn
« on: November 05, 2023, 15:30:35 PM »
I haven't done any sock knitting for quite a while now. I picked up my last unfinished effort and discovered I'm halfway along the foot of the second sock so should finish that before long. Yay.
I half thought of knitting DH another pair of socks for Christmas so went on to Marriners site to get more wool and was gutted to find they are no more.  :cry: It turns out they went into liquidation last December. I really liked their sock wool and would like to find something similar. Anyone got any suggestions?
I like self stripe/pattern as I don't do fancy stitches just basic rib. I also like majority natural fibres. I'm a tactile person and love soft, smooth yarns to knit with. (Fussy? Moi?  :P)
Yorkshire spinners look good but seem a bit pricey.
What are your favourites?


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On Thursday I visited Chastleton a National Trust place by Moreton in the Marsh. It was a fascinating place but what caught my eye was a bed quilt that had been hand stitched and had taken the maker over 15 years to complete!! I got as near as I could and the stitches were tiny and beautifully placed. It was all one colour - white/cream and I was absolutely in awe of the craftsmanship. It was showing it's age (couple of hundred years possibly) but was still a fantastic testament to the lady who made it sewing skills.
There was also a folded quilt on the bed of the last occupant of the house. That was a rough and ready one of random 'squares' of different fabrics, different textures and different weights. Probably as near as could be to the original quilts made of redundant clothes/fabric.
An interesting place to visit.

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Events / Sewing for Pleasure NEC
« on: March 14, 2023, 11:43:12 AM »

Anyone going this year? It's this Thursday 16th  - Sunday 19th
I usually go on the Thursday but train strikes have scuppered that so I'm going Friday. Train times mean I won't get there till midday but hey ho.
I usually buy my ticket when I arrive in case travel plans don't go as they should but I got a code from Sweetpea embroidery to get 40% off so bought it online instead.
Will not be buying a machine this year!! Fabric and anything else that catches my eye are a strong possibility.

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The Haberdashery / Thread Spool savers
« on: January 09, 2023, 21:07:06 PM »
I was perusing sites (as you do) when I came across these thread spool holders
Has anyone used them? Are they any good?
I'm almost tempted to give them a go but wonder if they're just another gimmick not worth the effort.

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In the wardrobe / Which buttons?
« on: November 18, 2022, 16:35:34 PM »
I'm too mean cheap frugal to want to buy any buttons when I have so many in my personal resource centre. However, this dress needs at least 12 buttons which again knocks down my choices. So, I've got 4 ideas - can you please let me know which you prefer.

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I saw this & I thought you may be interested! / Sewing machine auction
« on: November 15, 2022, 16:05:04 PM »
DH had a notification of a pillow manufacturer putting everything up for auction. There are industrial sewing machines, pillow interiors, bolts of pillow fabric etc all as you would expect.
However, on the same auction there are lots of new boxed Brother sewing machines. The current auction price is currently £50. link
Might be of interest to someone.
Edited to add: the sewing machines are towards the end of the listing.

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Embroidery and Embellishment / Secrets of embroidery
« on: October 24, 2022, 17:16:39 PM »
A fellow machine embroiderer on a FB site I'm on mentioned  this site so I had a look, as you do. What I found really useful was at the sidebar there is a heading 'store' and when you click on that there is a big list of other embroidery sites. I spent many a happy hour investigating embroidery sites I hadn't come across before. Some were not to my taste but I found some really interesting ones.
 :D

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In the wardrobe / Short arms vs back zip
« on: October 21, 2022, 18:47:18 PM »
So, I have short arms, think tyrannosaurus rex. I have to take up most sleeve patterns by 2" (5cms) and I struggle to fasten back zips. Always have and always will - despite a tall person with long arms telling me if I did yoga I'd be more supple  :rant: She has to extend her sleeves by 2", so that's 4" difference each arm!! 8" extra to reach behind with - can you tell it rankled!!!!
Anyway, I've got round this by putting the zip in the side seam, no problem until the last few years. I've put on rather a lot of weight and trying to twist and manoeuvre a side zip isn't as easy as it was so I've been concentrating on shirtwaist dresses and wrap dresses. I've made a few knit dresses that I can pull over my head but am I missing something I could do?
My style is quite tailored and semi fitted. I love fit and flare. And I have a dread of being mumsy (or should that be grand mumsy?  0_0)  So, any suggestions of what I could try? Age appropriate and post menopause of course. :D

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Sewing Machines / Janome 550e
« on: March 23, 2022, 19:49:55 PM »
So she arrived this morning and I unpacked everything checked it off and had an experiment. First off was winding a bobbin, then threading then I practised with some of the on board designs. Had a play and fiddle with all the icons on the display.  I also studiously watched the DVD that came with it.  :angel:
The USBs from my 350e dont work straight away, they have to be reformatted. I thought that might be the case. No big deal. I loaded an embroidery on to a newly formatted USB  and stitched it out. No purpose in mind, just trying it out - I do have plenty of thread and fabric after all!!  0_0
Hubby came back from his trip interrupting me and I thought it had gone dark early until I realised it was 7pm and not 5 as I thought.  :embarrassed: Think I might have been enjoying myself too much.  :D
Overall I am very pleased so far. Now I want to make a cover and a mat......

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For Sale, Wanted & Free to a good home / Destash sale
« on: March 18, 2022, 14:04:54 PM »
First up is a black chiffon.  It is very black despite what the photo shows!!
59" x 2 yards    150cms x 1.85 m
Feels synthetic.
Small parcel 2nd class is £3.20 so pay me a fiver in total & it's yours!  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

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