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Your Favourite Suppliers / Re: And another one closed
« on: December 10, 2022, 15:15:35 PM »
@sewmuchmore try here
https://www.empressmills.co.uk/sewing-threads/embroidery-thread
I mentioned Empress Mills before and someone commented that their threads were 'fluffy'. Although that used to be the case, I haven't found that recently - their cotton sewing thread is just about indistinguishable from the old Coats Sylko cotton that you can't now get. I don't do machine embroidery but EM might be worth trying.
https://www.empressmills.co.uk/sewing-threads/embroidery-thread
I mentioned Empress Mills before and someone commented that their threads were 'fluffy'. Although that used to be the case, I haven't found that recently - their cotton sewing thread is just about indistinguishable from the old Coats Sylko cotton that you can't now get. I don't do machine embroidery but EM might be worth trying.
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In the wardrobe / Re: SWAP (Sewing With a Plan) : 2004-current
« on: December 07, 2022, 13:49:59 PM »
When I lived there, my buddies and I frequently wandered about the centre of York dressed in medieval, C17th and Viking gear. Nobody batted an eye - in towns like that it's considered commonplace!
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In the wardrobe / Re: SWAP (Sewing With a Plan) - Historical Stuff
« on: December 06, 2022, 15:41:54 PM »
@Bumblebuncher You thought the same as me! I'm a C17th re-enactor so historical stuff means something very specific in my world 
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Access All Accessories / Re: Mending leather gloves
« on: November 30, 2022, 19:56:40 PM »
DH did exactly this on a pair of his re-enactment gauntlets that had gone through in the 'thumb pit'. He put a patch of leather under the tear and stab-stitched around it. In fact, he's so getting into leather work - next project is a pair of leather gloves from scratch using instructions in my granny's 1940's Big Book of Needlecraft - that I've just ordered him one of these for his Xmas:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1185456804/rotatable-adjustment-tool-stitching-pony?click_key=42cb858e251fb06b19233e9ef58445cfe016d870%3A1185456804&click_sum=f854df72&ref=internal_similar_listing_bot-2&frs=1&sts=1&listing_id=1185456804&listing_slug=rotatable-adjustment-tool-stitching-pony
He'd seen Susie Fletcher use on on The Repair Shop and liked it.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1185456804/rotatable-adjustment-tool-stitching-pony?click_key=42cb858e251fb06b19233e9ef58445cfe016d870%3A1185456804&click_sum=f854df72&ref=internal_similar_listing_bot-2&frs=1&sts=1&listing_id=1185456804&listing_slug=rotatable-adjustment-tool-stitching-pony
He'd seen Susie Fletcher use on on The Repair Shop and liked it.
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Embroidery and Embellishment / Re: Tudor Rose
« on: November 30, 2022, 15:40:01 PM »
@Missie I tried the Tudor Tailor's web site. Searched their shop for Rose and was taken to Etsy (should have known - I spoke with Ninya at the re-enactors' market and she mentioned it as being where they sell from). Then searched for Tudor Rose and found lots of things that were rosy, eg, this. Is this the kind of design you're after? It's a brooch, but it does narrow down the aesthetic range.
Do have a search on Etsy - you might find something to purchase that suits your purpose.
Do have a search on Etsy - you might find something to purchase that suits your purpose.
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Access All Accessories / Re: Travel Pack Gift set - seeking ideas
« on: November 30, 2022, 14:01:33 PM »
Tiny sewing kit? I'm thinking pre-threaded needles with mainstream colours (black, white, navy, ecru and red, maybe) and spare shirt button(s).
Earplug pouch to stop them getting lost?
Earplug pouch to stop them getting lost?
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Fun with Fabric / Re: How would I go about making this?
« on: November 30, 2022, 13:09:27 PM »
Tweed hot water bottle cover? Have you tried rubbing your bare toes on the fabric? I think it would be too scratchy-itchy!
I would recommend needlecord - I have a HWB-shaped wheat bag that I recovered when the original cover got worn. I took a pattern from the original, added seam allowances and an overlap halfway down one face for a buttonhole so that the inner bag could be slipped in. Works a treat.
You could insead make a patchwork shopping bag? Overlock raw edges or else use fabric glue to bind the fibres at the edges before commencing.
I would recommend needlecord - I have a HWB-shaped wheat bag that I recovered when the original cover got worn. I took a pattern from the original, added seam allowances and an overlap halfway down one face for a buttonhole so that the inner bag could be slipped in. Works a treat.
You could insead make a patchwork shopping bag? Overlock raw edges or else use fabric glue to bind the fibres at the edges before commencing.
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Hi, I'm new... / Re: Just joined
« on: November 30, 2022, 13:03:41 PM »
Hi and welcome. I have a Brother machine (Super Ace II from the end of the last millennium) and I have lots of feet for it. The ones I find especially useful are: the adjustable zipper foot, which is great for any lumpy fabric where you want to get close to the edge, eg, inserting piping, as well as zips; the open-toed food, which is great when you need to see what you're doing; the buttonhole foot (naturally!). The thing I don't like about it is that I cannot get the bobbin thread to be as neat as it is on my old 1970's Singer. Maybe I need to see my sewing machine engineer about it.
I looked up your Brother machine on Google and it's an inexpensive model. It may only be suitable for fairly lightweight fabrics in that case. My brother bought my SiL a £100-ish Brother off the internet and I tried to take up my nephew's new jeans with it - it could barely make it through the folded-up side seams. In other words, do check how much 'grunt' it's got before spending money on lots of accessories that you might never be able to use.
I looked up your Brother machine on Google and it's an inexpensive model. It may only be suitable for fairly lightweight fabrics in that case. My brother bought my SiL a £100-ish Brother off the internet and I tried to take up my nephew's new jeans with it - it could barely make it through the folded-up side seams. In other words, do check how much 'grunt' it's got before spending money on lots of accessories that you might never be able to use.
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Fun with Fabric / Re: Bamboo towelling - tips please
« on: November 30, 2022, 12:56:06 PM »
I've made towelling dressing gowns in the past. They shed like a sheddy thing when you're cutting out and they generate a lot of lint in the machine.
It's not a problem to press towelling. Yes, it will look flat at the time it's pressed, but it bounces up again.
I don't think interfacing is necessary - towelling has enough body and a towelling dressing gown is sufficiently casual a garment not to need it.
It's not a problem to press towelling. Yes, it will look flat at the time it's pressed, but it bounces up again.
I don't think interfacing is necessary - towelling has enough body and a towelling dressing gown is sufficiently casual a garment not to need it.
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Machine Accessories / Re: Daylight floor lamps- anyone have one
« on: November 28, 2022, 20:19:53 PM »
I bought a floor-standing lamp with a magnifier years ago at a show. Didn't get on with it. A few years ago, back at the K&S in Ally Pally, I bought an Anglepoise-alike with daylight bulb that clamped to the shelf above the sewing machine. I also found that the orginal floor stand and the post on the new lamp were a match in terms of fitting, so I jettisoned the original lamp assembly and, at the moment, the new lamp is on the old stand behind the sofa so it shines over my shoulder. I don't really need it in the sewing room because that faces east and gets a lot of morning light, and because I'm disinclined these days to do machine work in the evening. Hand sewing in front of the telly is fine.
Long story short, yes, have one, and it's really useful for close work during the dark days and evenings.
Long story short, yes, have one, and it's really useful for close work during the dark days and evenings.
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A Good Yarn / Re: Tubular Ribbing Technique using a Scrappy Provisional Cast on
« on: November 28, 2022, 12:49:17 PM »
I never knew tubular cast on was supposed to be problematic, so I never have problems. Maybe it's like souffles and bechamel sauces - if you're taught that they're tricky to pull off, you worry about them and they don't work. DH has O level cookery and can't get white flour-and-fat sauces and the like to be smooth. I didn't know they were supposed to be difficult and so they just work!
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Hi, I'm new... / Re: "Pimping" a mens blazer
« on: November 23, 2022, 09:37:10 AM »
I was thinking about braid/binding too. I wonder if the fancy fabric and the binding could be combined? For instance, a triangular piece of velvet or brocade or whatever on each lapel, held in place with the braid? No need for turning under/hemming the applique and no raw edges showing.
@Nick - you could experiment with this idea using an old jacket (or one bought from a charity shop for the purpose), some random fabric remnant and cotton tape, which costs pennies to buy.
It might also be worth looking up books on curtain making to see the techiques for interlining curtains. High-end interlinings are invisibly sewn, using (IIRC) a type of stitch similar to the pad stitches used by tailors. That technique might be worth trying as it will hold your bling panels firmly to your jacket without them bagging or flapping.
@Nick - you could experiment with this idea using an old jacket (or one bought from a charity shop for the purpose), some random fabric remnant and cotton tape, which costs pennies to buy.
It might also be worth looking up books on curtain making to see the techiques for interlining curtains. High-end interlinings are invisibly sewn, using (IIRC) a type of stitch similar to the pad stitches used by tailors. That technique might be worth trying as it will hold your bling panels firmly to your jacket without them bagging or flapping.
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I saw this & I thought you may be interested! / Re: And another local fabric shops closing
« on: November 20, 2022, 13:31:57 PM »
Leeds market - that takes me back. I lived in Yorkshire in the 80's and would go there from time to time. Anybody remember Economic Woollens? Run by a middle-aged couple, assisted by their not-very-bright son and stocked mainly end-of lines so good for a bargain.
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In the wardrobe / Re: Capsule Wardrobe Ideas
« on: November 17, 2022, 13:13:26 PM »
The big pattern companies still 'capsule' patterns with, eg, top (with sleeve and, possibly, neck variations), jacket, skirt in a couple of lengths and trousers. Go onto sewdirect.com and look for coordinates patterns. The range isn't huge but if you like everything in the pattern it's a fairly economical way of buying. The challenge then is to find co-ordinating fabrics that you can mix and match.