[needlewoman]

Dear justsewit, thanks for telling me abt your experience of making BR dress; I’ve just replied to Heidi’s post, and tried to say more clearly what I’m asking about. Basically, I want to know how much extra length has been designed/intended for the finished sleeve over and above the actual arm measurement. My size 3 client has an arm measurement exactly the same as the finished measurement of the sleeve ( as stated on the pattern sheet) but that doesn’t seem to leave much room for her future growth. How much extra would you allow so that the sleeve doesn’t look too short too soon?

I definitely feel that thinking about sewing “counts” as sewing! The planning and imagining is just as important, and essential to a happy outcome. It doesn’t guarantee perfect results in my experience but crucial nonetheless – especially the thoughts/inspiration you have when you’re not thinking about the next project deliberately.

[Masha Richart]

Finally reunited with my sewing machine after a long four months away – yay! And I have a new toy – the Brother 1034D serger. That’s going well except I did accidentally slice a small bit of the skirt of my inaugural project – a jumper. Oh well, now I know to be more careful. Just about to start a Playdate “wearable muslin” before diving into the lilac velveteen I bought for my 3-year-old’s Christmas dress. She measures 19″ around the chest and waist (the 6-12 mo size), but is 39″ tall. So I’m starting with a 12-18 mo size with 3T+ length and hoping it works. The “muslin” will be made of a sage corduroy and I have some fun vintage-y ticking for the yoke. Hopefully it fits. If not maybe my 2yo can wear it.

[Tamara]

I think I may be going into a “not happy” situation concerning my fairy tale dress. I just happened to be perusing some information about the patterns and accidentally noticed an errata on the Fairy tale dress concerning the collar I have just used! Either my pattern wasn’t a first edition printing or somehow I managed to get the colar to go, I have attached it now and to me it looks fine (and I have sewn lots and lots of collars). I am going to attempt not to panick and just handsew the lining to the zip anyway. There isn’t much I can do about it for this one at least.

So, I am sewing the lining to the zipper tonight – yay!

[with love Heidi]

If the collar looks fin then I wouldn’t worry. It is frustrating finding this out after you’ve made it though.

[Tamara]

I compared my version to that of the photo example and it looks the same in how it sits so I think it was ok. I am yet to try it on her but I handstitched the lining to the zipper last night so it is practically finished. I just need to work out what to do regarding a trim at the waist. It just looks too plain to leave it. That is that task for this afternoon once I’ve had a cuppa and 5 minutes r&r from a day at work.

[with love Heidi]

I have finished my four harry potter skirts, elastic and all! They all look fantastic. Must take photo’s and post. I made another set of ergo suck pads this this morning, after being woken up by a spider crawlingon the doona cover an hour earlier than I would normally get up!

[Tamara]

I’m jumping for joy over discovering that I can use a few remnants up by doing the skirt part only of the Badminton skorts. Miss double digits says she wouldn’t wear the skorts to school but I will try her with the skirts to see how she goes and do the shorts separately. So I am cutting up the last but of the blue CW fabric I used from the Croquet dress to make the first of what I hope to be many skirts. If she likes them then I will make a few for school but only if she really likes them.

Of course I don’t have to go cutting out something new because there is a small pile already sitting there but my justification is that I told myself to so something today and that pattern was staring at me so I broke it open. It was going to happen anyway!

[Lightning McStitch]

I’m using up a little leftovers too, sewing a 2+2 blouse and skirt. The skirt was a very tight fit on my leftover fabric and so I have ugly selvage in my seam allowance. So, I’m rather pleased to say, I figured out how to do a french seam, hide the selvage and still negotiate that placket-y bit. And all this when sewing “in the danger zone” (after 11pm!)

….let’s not mention the sleeve that I sewed on upside down earlier in the evening.

[Roadtocalvary]

Working on 3 school days coats…made many of Oliver & S patterns but never this one..pretty excited to see end results!

[Lightning McStitch]

You’re bound to love it. This is one of the most satisfying and tailored looking things I’ve made to date. I’m planning a new one every winter!

[Tamara]

Yes I completely agree! I would love to make another and may get the chance to make one for my little nephew who is only three – plenty of time to use the pattern well. N loves his even though it is getting small now.

So I made the badminton skirt and tested the elastic whilst Imogen was making dessert (as if we need dessert) -her excuse to cook – and she promptly dropped the pin I had to hold the elastic in place to go back and attach it. No biggie! We found it again and now she can wear the skirt.

Today though I would like to just cut two more out and then go and actually see the Joel Dewberry croquet dress that has been sitting there bagged up ready to go.

I have to laugh at the upside down sleeve sewing we aren’t meant to know about!! That is certainly “danger zone” sewing and you say it was a few hours before that! I admire your persistence to keep going after that!

[Lightning McStitch]

I was sorely tempted to just leave it. I was working with knit fabric and using the stitch pattern where my sewing macine pretends to be an overlocker. It’s a beast of a seam to unpick. And then I’d already trimmed the seam allowance…. It was barely noticeable which was the right/wrong side, but just noticeable enough to bug me.

[Lightning McStitch]

Tonight is repairs night.

The pile includes one button to be sewn on, 2 Hopscotch skirts where I trimmed the elastic too close to the stitching and it’s popped loose in the waistband and 1 unravelling croquet dress. I think a bit of interfacing and a blanket stitch around the edge will have to do…

[Nicole]

Snap!

I spent today mending as well!

[Mama_Knowles]

The cooler weather has made it’s way here so I am working on a few pairs after school pants with tops in med weight cord and one teady bear jumper dress. My grandma sent the pattern and fabric for the dress and Sweet pea has been asking when I will be done with this so it’s first on the list. I need to make baby C another pair of the after school pants as well. I love the 6-12month fit on him, it just perfect. Themn it will be onto a pair of skinny jeans for Sweet pea too.

I need to go out and buy the fabric for Sweet pea’s and baby C winter coats very soon too. I am lucky that the three older boys coats still fit great from last year so htat will save me some sewing time. I am hoping to get to the LTTS book hats, mittens and scarves this year for all kids. Last year it never reallly got cold enough for the kids to need any of them.

~Sharon~