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Thank you so much! I cut out a new bodice – it looks much better and more proportionate now 🙂

Oh this is funny. I gave up Univerals a while ago and totally forgot about their existence. Now that I think on it, I gave up Universals because the machine I was working on “hated” them. It had lots of problems and hated everything.

I got used to using specialized needles and forgot about Universals. But in November, after yet another…[Read more]

Oh, forgot to mention that yes, I did consider having the button closure instead, and in fact our very own Lotta has a tutorial for it, but unfortunately this occurred to me after I’d already cut my fabric, and I didn’t have enough to cut another back bodice. I even thought about Frankensteining an extra button panel or something on there but…[Read more]

Oh, forgot to mention that yes, I did consider having the button closure instead, and in fact our very own Lotta has a tutorial for it, but unfortunately this occurred to me after I’d already cut my fabric, and I didn’t have enough to cut another back bodice. I even thought about Frankensteining an extra button panel or something on there but…[Read more]

I made and finished the size 4 bubble, adding length (about an inch each) to both the bodice and skirt, plus extra width to the skirt for extra pouf. I didn’t realize how much shorter a bubbly bubble is than a deflated one (without elastic) which is the way I usually make them. I don’t know if it’s just that I’m used to longer dresses on her or…[Read more]

I made and finished the size 4 bubble, adding length (about an inch each) to both the bodice and skirt, plus extra width to the skirt for extra pouf. I didn’t realize how much shorter a bubbly bubble is than a deflated one (without elastic) which is the way I usually make them. I don’t know if it’s just that I’m used to longer dresses on her or…[Read more]

Ditto the above — unless a particular needle is giving me problems like the popping/grinding you mentioned, I just use universal needles for everything, including knits.

Sarvi how did you go? Did you get the two made in one day?

@KAREN some of us are known to attempt some crazy things with our sewing, but never in my time on this forum can I remember Sarvi doing anything of the sort!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just slip our sewing into some portal to get it to the destination quicker, then Sarvi wouldn’t…[Read more]

Sarvi how did you go? Did you get the two made in one day?

@KAREN some of us are known to attempt some crazy things with our sewing, but never in my time on this forum can I remember Sarvi doing anything of the sort!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just slip our sewing into some portal to get it to the destination quicker, then Sarvi wouldn’t…[Read more]

Sadly I can’t see it being quite that easy. If the fit through the shoulders and upper chest is good then yes, you can take in side seams.
However, any changes involving or above the sleeve area would get messy.
Centre front or back seams that go full length would be easier places to play with removing width.
Sorry not to be more help. Sometimes…[Read more]

This may sound heretical, but I often sew with whatever is in the machine and don’t notice any difference.
When I bought my overlocker it came with Universal needles and I queried the salesman as I thought they should be jersey or ball point needles. His reply was that nothing is “sharp” anymore with the exception of denim needles…
In case I’m…[Read more]

Sorry I can’t be of help, my machine hates ball point or stretch needles so I sew everything with universals. And get great results.
Maybe try a universal needle?

Hi Rebecca, I sew with merino jersey quite a lot and find it behaves quite well with steam ironing. Better behaved than cotton Lycra in my hands.
Steam press it into submission!

Try this…

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cybele727/sets/72157643953253724Eyelet dress

I did a family reunion color block in probably the same pink circle eyelet. The challenge with any lining/underlining etc is the seam allowances being visible through the eyelet. If you are going to line the eyelet and then have the tulle and then the lining, I am going to recommend that you take and cut out the pieces in both and sew them…[Read more]

I’m making my raglan (for my daughter) out of organic wool jersey; but that stuff curls horribly! I can manage for the hems, but on the neckline, it’s too many curling pieces (and small pieces!) to manage.

How would y’all recommend dealing with the curling on the jersey? [I’ve seen the recommendations for starch, but because it’s a protein…[Read more]

I’m making my raglan (for my daughter) out of organic wool jersey; but that stuff curls horribly! I can manage for the hems, but on the neckline, it’s too many curling pieces (and small pieces!) to manage.

How would y’all recommend dealing with the curling on the jersey? [I’ve seen the recommendations for starch, but because it’s a protein…[Read more]

I think my lining layer is more opaque, but the top layer is sheer enough that you could see this rectangle beneath it, but using fusible web and a scrap of thin fabric worked really well. I added a scrap to the bottom of the (white) zipper as well. It’s not perfect — is 1am sewing ever — but nobody’ll notice from the cheap seats 🙂

Thanks, Heidi!