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is there a general chatty dressmaking thread?

89 replies

SpiderTracker · 01/09/2014 07:23

Hello,
I was just wondering if there was a general chatty dressmaking thread? A place to talk about what's on your sewing table and to compare projects ask for advice on patterns fabric etc. With the children going back to school and my youngest starting full time I shall be sewing much more and thought it might nice to have somewhere to chat.
I shall start, currently on my sewing table is a cotton blouse, and I am debating whether to leave the sleeves off.

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InMySpareTime · 01/09/2014 07:43

I've made a few dresses, not for a while though. I could do with a bit of a kick to get back to it now term's starting again.

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MinesAPintOfTea · 02/09/2014 07:07

I have just made a new swimming costume (untested so far) and have a half-made wrap dress made from geometric Japanese cotton-linen mix.

I need to get the dress out again and attach the second cap sleeve then I can start on the skirt.

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SpiderTracker · 02/09/2014 08:48

I am tempted by a swimming costume but I am not sure about the fabric on my machine. It doesn't really like stretch, I am saving for an overlocker which I think will cope better.

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Mumelie · 03/09/2014 22:00

My DD has just started senior school so I'll have a fair bit more time for sewing now the hols are over (like yayGrin ) .
current plan is to start on the shorter version of the Anna dress By Hand London v pattern - I picked up 3m of some lush Black floral print fabric at a vintage fair on the weekend.

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MinesAPintOfTea · 04/09/2014 02:16

That's a nice pattern Mumelie, although I'd lack a new law banning photographing of dresses in plain black. How are you supposed to see the details on a computer screen in black?!

My geometric wrap dress now has all side/sleeve hems pressed and pinned ready to run through the machine courtesy of insomnia (running the sewing machine after 1am in a midterrace would be impolite) then it will just need hanging for a day or so (sadly not off a tailor's dummy) and hemming: I think a good three inches will need taking up.

I'm tall and always err on the side of longer skirts: its much easier to take off an extra 2 inches than to add them on at the end. But this style probably needs to hit me just above the knee and I think the pattern allowed for below-the-knee fitting.

Swimming costume needs some strengthening on the straps: but I tested it in water somewhere private so no wardrob malfunction horror stories.

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InMySpareTime · 04/09/2014 08:09

I bought a load of swimming costume fabric, but used it to make superhero capes!
I don't tend to work to a pattern as I'm very short (5ft) so end up changing the pattern so much I might as well have drawn my own.
I did a fair bit of "upcycling" with the DCs over the holidays, buying something from the charity shop and changing it into something better.
That's a good introduction to sewing without the worry of cost.

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MinesAPintOfTea · 04/09/2014 19:31

Dress is now hanging to let the bias parts stretch out before I hem.

Also made two tote bags this afternoon from a "tickets" printed heavy cotton. DS (2) made the smaller one because he wanted to join in the "noisy" with a leetle help

is there a general chatty dressmaking thread?
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mimiasovitch · 04/09/2014 19:45

I've been at the bodice stage of a By hand Elisalex dress for weeks. I have made a toile, done an fba and made another one, and am now contemplating cutting out my fashion fabric, though I have yet to decide on a skirt. My size 16 hips are not for the exaggerated tulip, I fear. I love the Anna dress. So flattering and easy to wear. Looking forward to pics.

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Mumelie · 05/09/2014 11:51

Sadly I've been so busy with work this week the only thing I've done is wash my fabric! This weekend I will start the Anna dress - photos will be up I promise Wink
I need to look at doing a fba for the first time - I want this to fit perfectly - not just it'll do a size bigger. Any tips? I'm a size 12 but a G cup!

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InMySpareTime · 05/09/2014 12:02

I feel your pain, I'm a size 6 G cup. A few well placed darts should do the trick. Underbust darts go from where the dress meets your ribcage under the bust to the nipple.

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WhyBeHappyWhenYouCouldBeNormal · 05/09/2014 12:04

I've been spending a long time on the tilly and the buttons blog, would love to start making dresses, will be watching the chat :)

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Spidertracker · 05/09/2014 13:23

I have a large bust as well, my FBAs always go horribly wrong though. So my preferred method is to make the size that fits my bust then put it on my dressform and take all the seams in. At least I end up with wearable dresses that way.

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mimiasovitch · 05/09/2014 17:59

The lazy stitching blog has a good tutorisl for fba-ing the Anna dress, and I used the tutorial on idle fancy for the Elisalex. I basically sew with my iPad propped up in front of me!

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r2d2ismyidealman · 05/09/2014 18:10

Ooh what a lovely idea for a thread, can i join? I'm only a beginner. I made the requisite cushion cover. I then moved on to pajama bottoms and yesterday i made a simple cotton blouse. I had to make some alterations from the pattern to fit me. I'm loving it but still intimidated when i sit down to a project! My next project is an easy pair of trousers. Where are you buying fabric? So far i get mine online as none of the local shops have anything very contemporary but it's scary buying online!

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rockinghorseShit · 05/09/2014 22:09

am only a very beginner (the only thing ive made is bunting!)
I want to make a roman blind for my dd's bedroom, I hav a book with instructions that look simple(ish)
Has anyone made one?
any tips?
Also, her window is 150cm wide, so im thinking of using the fabric width ways instead of long ways if that makes sense (will choose one that is a ramdom pattern so it wont look daft.

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Mumelie · 05/09/2014 23:53

Thanks mimi I'll check that blog out Grin

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Mumelie · 05/09/2014 23:55

Whybehappy - the Tilly and the Buttons book is great - got me started (and hooked). Made everything bar the final dress from it (the blouse is my favourite and most worn - after adding darts to the back).

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WhyBeHappyWhenYouCouldBeNormal · 06/09/2014 08:34

Greate mumelie, once pay day comes around i'll grab one. I'm in London so I could theoretically do one of her courses too!

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Spidertracker · 07/09/2014 10:02

R2D2 of course you can join.
rocking horse I don't know much about soft furnishings, with everything I just follow the instructions and hope for the best.
mumelie I have done all of the Tilly Buttons book. My Lilou went a bit funny though, I might try again with a gathered skirt instead of the pleats.
I read loads of sewing blogs, I must follow nearly 100 on bloglovin. They all sem so much more accomplished than me though so I keep checking the comments on them to see if I can find some more at my level. I would love to start my own but my writing is awful.

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Thumbcat · 07/09/2014 11:56

Ooh can I join in?

I'm currently embarked on the Megan dress from Tilly's book. I've made a toile of the bodice (another one whose boobs muck up the sizings). I might get around to attaching a sleeve today to see how that fits. My fabric is boucle - different from the suggested fabrics but I wanted something for the cooler weather - and I'm going to interline it with cotton voile.

I've only been sewing a year or so and, although I've made quite a few things to wear, I've never made something that I'm 100% happy with. I tend to be a bit slap dash to get things finished, so with the Megan dress I'm making a conscious effort to go slow and pay a bit more attention to detail.

Mumelie I'll be interested to hear how you get on with your Anna dress. I enjoyed making mine, but my fabric wasn't really drapey enough to do it justice. I'd like to make one in a silky fabric one day.

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Spidertracker · 07/09/2014 18:00

I don't like my Megan, thumbcat it looked dreadful on me it fits really well but the style doesn't suit me. I came across one on a blog done with a V-neck but it wasn't done very well I didn't think. creationsfromthecupboard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/my-v-neck-megan.html?m=1
I might try that but hopefully make it better. Hope the lady isn't a mumsnetter.

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Stupidhead · 07/09/2014 18:14

Hello! I'm so excited as I'm a fellow sewer! Probably more rocker/punk than anything you ladies do (and you probably make a better job!) but also a few kitsch toys and stuff. Minesapint - my lovely DP got me a vintage Singer for my birthday with the turny handle wheel, ideal for insomnia sewing sessions!

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Thumbcat · 07/09/2014 19:18

What a shame spider, especially if it fits well. That's one of the hard things about sewing clothes, you never know if what you end up with is actually going to look good on you. I'm lowering the neckline on my Megan as it did seem very high.

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IDismyname · 07/09/2014 19:39

Hello - Can I join in?

I've been going to sewing classes for several years, but have now stopped going, to do a term instead at the local Adult Ed. in Pattern Cutting. I'm hoping it will add to my knowledge...?

Have only made one dress which has had several outings with dress coats over the top and different trimmings. It has certainly earned its keep - and my time making it! Its a wool crepe with a lining - v simple shape.

However, I made a pair of culottes in linen over the summer which were dead easy to make, and so, so comfy to wear. I'm going to make another pair out of a heavier weight fabric - maybe a wool crepe again.

This is the pattern:Culottes Sadly it looks like its no longer available. I only bought it late last year...

I'd be very interested to hear of any good dress fabric shops. The one I love, love love is this one:Joel and Sons - but its £££. They stock all the left over rolls from the couture shows. I could spend days in there just feeling the fabrics.

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KatyMac · 07/09/2014 19:45

I'm hoping to sew to relieve my empty nest syndrome - so I'll be back soon (when she goes!)

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