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Messages - Bobbinalong

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Patterns Discussion / Re: Got a hankering for a shirt dress
« on: August 06, 2018, 23:40:21 PM »
I've not made it, but that McCalls one does have loads of good reviews, most criticism is of the back blousing and the pattern calling for a lot of handsewing which can no doubt be got around if that's not your thing.  Quite a different look from the two you've chosen, but I have made the SOI Vintage Shirt Dress three times, and I don't usually repeat!

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In the wardrobe / Re: Knit foot vs walking foot
« on: August 03, 2018, 11:10:09 AM »
I agree that lessening the presser foot tension is a help but many machines do not have this option. My mid-range Janome has fixed pressure, I was really surprised when I first got it since my older machine, a F&R from the 70s was adjustable.

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In the wardrobe / Re: Knit foot vs walking foot
« on: July 31, 2018, 15:22:23 PM »
I use a walking foot when sewing knits, works well.

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Fun with Fabric / Re: Fabric advice please
« on: March 20, 2018, 20:53:54 PM »
I think that lawns come in various qualities.  Tightly woven ones, like Liberty tana lawn do not crease as much as some of the looser weave ones. I think getting samples is the way to go.

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Your Favourite Suppliers / Re: buying sewing thread
« on: March 13, 2018, 09:41:29 AM »
 I think William Gee have the Gutterman on large cones that's been mentioned above. I was on their website last night and they appear to have loads of colours, if I remember rightly on 10,000 metre cones. Their carriage however is a flat £6.95 which I think is a bit pricey if you're only getting a few bits. I bought some calico for toiles that wasn't quite the bargain it first appeared to be once VAT and postage were added but it was still comparable to other places' initially higher prices per metre when it was all added up. I've never bought calico before but I'm determined to nail the fit on slim fit trousers and old sheets just aren't working very well.

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Publications / Re: Sew Your Own Activewear by
« on: March 06, 2018, 13:38:48 PM »
Thanks @Morgan you may have just convinced me to get Melissa's book. I certainly like the idea of it but have until now been a bit put off by the finish on some of the sample garments that I've seen pictures of. For example, the top on the front cover appears to show a rather unusual almost gathered neckline finish.  I haven't got the book so I obviously don't know whether that's because elastic has been used to draw a too large neckline in or whether it's even supposed to look like that.  Some of the other pictures I've seen of leggings for example appear to have rather a lot of bagginess and wrinkles.  I suppose though fit is personal and getting the right fabrics is most important.

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Patterns Discussion / Re: How much!!!
« on: February 16, 2018, 15:39:56 PM »
TBH I struggle to justify (to myself) paying much above that for the fabric, let alone adding another £28 for the pattern!

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Patterns Discussion / Re: How much!!!
« on: February 14, 2018, 16:51:04 PM »
Blimey, they can keep that!  Must be a typo surely...

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Patterns Discussion / Re: Burda patterns - good or bad?
« on: February 12, 2018, 15:08:31 PM »
Ha ha! I wonder if it was the same one!  For me that skirt was a long time ago, I probably still have it in the UFO pile in case I want to use the fabric for something else.  I think I remember seeing an explanation from someone somewhere though on how to do it but I didn't bother as I'd used unsuitable fabric anyway - a crisp cotton poplin for a skirt with pleats.

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Patterns Discussion / Re: Burda patterns - good or bad?
« on: February 08, 2018, 11:55:44 AM »
I like Burda, I like their consistency of sizing. The magazine has a full body measurements chart so you can see at a glance  if you are going to need a short nape to waist or shoulder to bust point adjustment, for example.  I trace directly from the sheets using Burda tracing paper and a fine point pencil and as long as the light is good enough have no problem, I also refer to the pattern layout in the magazine when tracing as this helps with adding balance notches and seam numbers which are the things that can get a bit lost amongst all the lines.  The instructions can be brief to the point of incomprehension but that is very rare, I have only once been completely stumped - that was with a fly front opening skirt that had no waistband, I just could not figure out how to neaten the top of the zip.  Personally I would rather have to think about the instructions and construction a bit more and maybe refer to a sewing manual than to have to deal with the sizing vagaries of the Big 4. 

11
Machine Accessories / Re: My new favourite presser foot
« on: January 30, 2018, 10:21:05 AM »
To echo what Morgan says so well, I have found that the Janome buttonhole stabiliser plate makes sewing buttonholes on shirt collar stands and other uneven areas so much more reliable than it is without.  I am not a prolific sewer so have not used it a great deal, but I'm hoping the holding of breath and crossing of fingers that always accompanies the sewing of buttonholes will become a thing of the past  :)  I do find it a bit annoying however that as such a plate is needed for so many projects with buttonholes that the stabiliser plate is not included as part of the buttonhole foot. I didn't even know such a thing existed until a little while ago!

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In the wardrobe / Re: Jalie Bomber jacket finished!
« on: January 03, 2018, 14:26:22 PM »
That looks fab - can you tell where you got that great floral fabric from please?

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Publications / Re: Burda Style 01/2018
« on: January 03, 2018, 14:13:47 PM »
I hardly ever see Ottobre, occasionally the kids one is there but I have only ever seen the adult version once.

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Publications / Re: Burda Style 01/2018
« on: January 03, 2018, 14:02:52 PM »
Thanks, I've just ordered a copy from Unique magazines but I'm reluctant to take out a subscription as it's not difficult for me to pop into town to collect the reserved one and that end of town is almost shut up these days, it would be a bit sad if Smiths left too.  I'm just a bit annoyed that this isn't the first time it's happened, I can only suppose that if the UK distribution centre is short that Plymouth is bottom of the list to be supplied.  I think I might send WHSmith an email about it as it's really not on to ignore pre-paid ordered copies. The daft thing is, I don't really make many items from the magazines, but I do like to look at them and dream...

15
Publications / Burda Style 01/2018
« on: January 02, 2018, 20:48:21 PM »
January Burda Style was supposed to be available in the UK from 22/12/17. I have it reserved for me at my local WHSmith and when I went to collect it today found that they hadn't had it delivered. I was told that the next one would be available on the 19th January with no explanation as to what had happened to the January edition. I know that this has happened before which is why I decided to get it reserved but as they didn't receive any last month reserving is no help!

Has anyone seen a copy at their local store? Just wondered whether this is a nationwide thing or whether it's just Plymouth. Also, does anyone have it on subscription? I assume that subscribers received their copies, I think I might consider subscribing in future  :(

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