AilbheSomeone keeps their multitool in their back right pocket, so this evening I unpicked the lower third, ironed in a patch, and sewed the patch in place with dark blue thread across and orange thread on the original seam lines. It should take longer to wear a hole big enough to lose the tool now. #mending
Trying to mend headphones. If this works I'll move on to mending a more expensive pair. I can't get the needle from the outside of the donut into the middle so I've run it from the inside out only, so the central part is held only in four points, the edges just sitting between the parts of the headphones, and then stitched around the edge of the outside. It's really tiring. I'm stopping for a bit. #mending #sewing #repair
I'd really like some help describing these images, because I don't think my captions help.
This would be a much neater method for someone with better fine motor control. I'm going to try a slightly different method for the second earpiece, after I've rested.
The second one works better and is simpler. Again I put a single stitch at each compass point on the inside for the inner ring, but this time I just did running stitch around the outside, used pins to hold it in place, pull it tight, tucked in the edges, and wrapped the ends of thread around the circumference and knotted it. Cotton thread broke so I switched to unwaxed linen. #mending #sewing #repair
Sewing machines are so clever. Reversible bucket hat sewn with green thread on the green side and orange thread on the orange side.
I started cutting out another hat and then realised the cotton hadn't been washed, so I stay-stitched the raw edges and put it in the machine at 60C. I'll iron it dry on the linen setting and then consider it sufficiently stress-tested to sew with. #sewing
It's the first time I've stay-stitched before washing, I have great hopes that it will reduce fray. I didn't do the selvedges, obviously. (Self edge, the obvious etymology is the correct one, which is delightful).
Today's hat! Bicycles and leaves. Yesterday's hat is the one with flowers in orange and green.
Today I'm hoping to make myself a blouse using the pattern I used for a test dress a while ago. I'll have to start by tracing the pattern in my size and doing a full bust adjustment. I'm really tired.
https://mastodon.art/@artbyailbhe/109871051932192003
https://mastodon.art/@artbyailbhe/109871051932192003
Ailbhe (@[email protected])
This YouTuber has at least two videos on how to do a full bust adjustment on a princess seam and I find them easy to follow. I think I understand how to do this tomorrow. https://youtu.be/pdLLEIb0SDk #sewing
1) set up A1 table ✅
2) find A0 printed pattern ✅
3) measure self to determine size
4) cut out pattern pieces
5) do FBA
6) find fabric for mockup
7) cut out fabric for test garment
8) now draw the rest of the owl
2) find A0 printed pattern ✅
3) measure self to determine size
4) cut out pattern pieces
5) do FBA
6) find fabric for mockup
7) cut out fabric for test garment
8) now draw the rest of the owl
I may not need to do a FBA. m going to try a first mockup without, hoping a minor fitting adjustment will do.
I'm not sure which days I did things on, but I've started the sewing on this mockup, including experimenting with the felling foot for finishing the seams. I can tell that when I get good at using it, it will really help, but the curves around the bust and shoulder blades are fiddly at the moment. I think my smartphone camera is trying to be clever with the gingham because it doesn't understand about photographing what's actually there.
Today I unpicked a bit, hemmed the facings, and understitched the facings to the seam allowances. And did a bit of pressing. I think tomorrow I might get to stitch the side seams? Unsure.
Ngh. There are fit issues I didn't realise until after the extra structure I added by finishing the seams. The photos are terrible but the bust is off -- a bit too high? -- and the waist is much too big. I wonder should I have made a size smaller with a FBA? At least this gingham has 5mm squares so I can figure it out. #sewing
Hm. I think I just wanted a more fitted garment than this pattern did, but I am pretty sure I can adapt it. And then use the new paper pattern to make ANOTHER from scratch mock-up. And then make the actual dress. Fine.
The bust is too wide. The back is a good width but the front is too wide. And the side panels at front and back need to come in at the waist, which I probably want a little higher than the original.
I've found two places in this pattern where they say to finish off a seam *before I've sewn it*. Is this an overlocker thing?
I'm still wrestling the fit of this top. Flat felling the seams changes the drape SO MUCH and I'm hating it. I know that once I have a pattern that works I'll be very pleased but until then I'm CROSS.
I took some time out to patch some long johns at the knees, where the previous patches have given away. Bony things, knees.
I was right, I need to make a size smaller than my measurements and their chart indicates, and do a FBA. https://mastodon.art/@artbyailbhe/110180571636890478
Ailbhe (@[email protected])
Attached: 2 images Ngh. There are fit issues I didn't realise until after the extra structure I added by finishing the seams. The photos are terrible but the bust is off -- a bit too high? -- and the waist is much too big. I wonder should I have made a size smaller with a FBA? At least this gingham has 5mm squares so I can figure it out. #sewing
I do think the instructions that came with this free pattern make me disinclined to buy any patterns from these people, which is sad.
https://mastodon.art/@artbyailbhe/109874367672931136
https://mastodon.art/@artbyailbhe/109874367672931136
Ailbhe (@[email protected])
Attached: 1 image Here's my pattern pieces. I'm about to watch the video again with my pencils and scissors.
I'm doing two adjustments to this princess seam bodice. Lowering the bust point and a "full bust" adjustment. It'll be fine. I just ran out of sticky tape.
Copied out the new pattern, pinned it to the disassembled mockup, going to recut and make a new mockup. I'll have to piece a tiny bit on the side seam but I prefer that to wasting new fabric.
Tried again. I needed new fabric for the two front sides but the other pieces of the top came from the larger size pieces. They're pinned ready for sewing now.
I'm altering the waist a tiny bit at a time using brightly coloured thread and fitting it inside out to check. This is where the gingham comes into its own -- the squares make it easy to be sure I'm mirroring changes accurately. I hope it makes it as easy to transfer to the paper pattern.
I think I need to alter the shape of the centre back panel. Ngh.
Very little sewing for two weeks - I did a little mending because of# #MeMadeMay2023 but mainly I've been avoiding the further adjustments I need to make to this top.
So today I've started cutting out another Ellie and Mac sleeveless dress with built-in shelf bra. #Sewing
While I was procrastinating I used a sample of William Morris upholstery fabric to patch my ancient needlecord trousers, and made a phone pouch for a friend to attach to a bag I made ages ago.
Ok I'm going to assemble this dress. If I can find the instructions, though I think I remember how it works without them. It's a purple version of the blue one I made before. #Sewing
The only surface large enough to lay a dress on is the bed, and bending over that to pin and place pockets is absolutely agony on my back.
I've been cutting the main fabric, lining fabric, interfacing, batting, and stabilizer for a bag/art caddy. It's taken days and days. I'm hoping that tomorrow I can start sewing it. But I'm almost certain I'll have to iron things first. I didn't want an ironing hobby. #sewing
Today I ironed the interfacing onto bits and now I have to hand-sew the next part: basting the batting to the fabric and interfacing. I'm taking lots of breaks but it's really painful and I've only done one piece. #SewingWhileDisabled
Basted a further three pieces so far today. Really really need a break now. And a sewing needle with a big grippable end that doesn't make a correspondingly big hole in the fabric. It's probably quantum.
Next I have to do both "Ironing" and "Basting and sewing things in a very specific order so the overlapping pockets work" and I donwanna.
I've done a lot more now and I've decided that their (the pattern writer) finishing isn't up to scratch and next time I'll do nicer hems than instructed and also line ALL the pockets.
... Oh good, I'm going to be unable to proceed until I unpick some seams and fix the issue where the pattern doesn't call for some bits to be lined but I want them lined.
I've unpicked them and chosen the lining fabric so now I need to do some... ironing. In the words of our lord and saviour Radiohead, I do it to myself, I do.
I did it! The pockets will all be nicely lined. It's better this way. I will put the other pockets on lined as a FIRST option and not have to unpick anything.
This project has reached the stage where all instructions resort to "now draw the rest of the owl." I have to sew this into a box but there's no information on how to get the corners into the machine -- each panel is at least three layers, more at the sides where the pockets reach the bottom, and the bottom corners are DENSE.
50% My God, it's full of stars! and 50% I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that. Time for a break.
This is a Learning Experience. (1) I can't cut out with scissors and need to stick to the roller blades. (2) I have two loop turners but for straps with interfacing inside I need to go back to the safety pin method, which I got good at when my mother was sewing scrunchies for her market stalls at various times. #sewing
Aaaaaaand stopping for the day. Turning it right way out shows me where I need to redo some of the MAJOR STRUCTURAL SEAMS because I didn't catch all the layers. *whimpers*
Basting by hand is easier and quicker to remove BUT basting by machine is much less painful and the time saved in sewing is much greater than the time lost in unpicking.
I'm annoyed at the waste in this pattern. For each of the front, back, sides, and base, you cut a piece of outer fabric, interfacing, batting, stabiliser, and lining fabric. And then at the end it says to cut 1 cm from every edge of every piece of stabiliser before inserting it. You could just cut the pieces 2cm shorter and narrower to begin with.
And one of the pockets has interfacing you cut in half and throw half away, because the fabric is folded over the half you use. It seems ridiculous.
So this is for an English teacher and first I thought I'd put three novels in A Handbag and then the whole idea evolved but ALSO it's definitely looking at the stars so really I think I should just be glad I didn't buy any guttering. It's three books in a bag and nobody needs to know it came from Wilde ideas. #Sewing
The pattern is wasteful and I think the lining ought to be smaller, actually, and sewn to the base somehow. It's excessive and baggy and I'm not thrilled with it. Also, topstitching the edge of the box was bad and I didn't do it very neatly. Most of the rest is fine though.
Starting something new today. I've unfolded my big table and extended it by putting an A1 drawing board on top. It's fine as long as I don't lean on the edges. And now I'm cutting the paper pattern and reading the instructions.
So far, it seems really good. Lots of helpful notation for how to cut out and assemble for best results. I expect this to teach me much more than I thought it would about making a shirt. #Sewing
This is the first time I've drawn a thread but the instructions (first image) are very clear so I'm following them. The linen I'm working with is shoddily spun so the thread kept pulling apart, rather than breaking -- like teasing cotton wool apart. But I managed in the end so now I have a straight edge for my fabric. It was extremely wonky before. #Sewing
I've ironed the pattern and half the fabric on a towel on my tabletop so we'll see how we go.
I've cut the back piece. The instructions include detailed notes on how to mark up the fabric so I'm hoping to rest my hands and then give it a go. #Sewing
I'm pausing for dinner, watching Rick Astley at Glastonbury, and eating spaghetti with tomato based sauce on my cutting surface because there is nowhere else in this room to sit or to put a plate. That's white linen.
I'm now unpinning the paper pattern from each piece one at a time, checking I've transferred markings as I go, and sewing each stage in strict order of instructions. Because my fabric has no right or wrong side I've already made an error. I've topstitched the wrong side of the yoke so the pleats for ease are wrong. Unpicker time. #Sewing
I fixed that, but the next stages involve ironing, for which I will have to stand, so I'm having a break.
I've ironed the yoke seams and topstitched them down, and stay-stitched and basted all around the neckline and armscyes, and lost my sewing machine manual, and fixed the issue with repeatedly breaking thread by replacing the needle with a finer one. I think I was using a jeans needle. Oops.
Next time I make a shirt I'll use a more rigid fabric or starch it first or both. This is excessively drapey.
I've attached the facings to the sleeve turnups and realised I should have trimmed the seams inside the yoke before I sewed the shoulders on. Oops. Too late now. If it's terrible I can add Decorative Topstitching to hold them in place. I'll remember next time. But I've just done ironing so I'm resting again.
The sleeves are ready to pin - baste - sew to the shirt but this will involve finding a large surface and then basting by hand, so I'm going to wait until tomorrow. I'm tired enough that I might make ridiculous mistakes.
The instructions say at one point to baste everything and try it on and then sew, but I think that might only apply to the side seams?
The sleeves are attached to the shoulders. Next I need to press those seams, trim, and fell them. I can't figure out what that's going to be like; there are five layers where the yoke is attached to the front or back, and that's going to be folded over inside?! But lots of men's shirts actually exist, so it must be POSSIBLE.
Oh dear, ironing really does help, I resent this fact so much. I also need to figure out how to baste fabric that's slithering like an overexcited toddler covered in sunscreen they squirted on themselves.
I'd like to thank my physiotherapist for enabling me to grip a handsewing needle and the fabric so that I could do all this horrible basting so that I can do some annoying ironing so that I can get to the SEWING part of this. My hands ache but I can rest for a while now. #Sewing #SewingWhileDisabled
To sew near the edge of the folded seam, I set the needle over to the left -- when I try to sew a fold like this with the needle centred, the right hand side of the presser foot often picks the edge of the fold up slightly. This way stops that.
I'm removing basting stitches with tweezers because my own fingertips won't grasp the thread.
By the time this shirt is finished it's going to be so handled and crumpled that it will look like it's been slept in. #SewingWhileDisabled #Sewing
I'm trying to figure out how to make the collar. I don't understand. It's complicated and I don't like it. Why did I decide to make a shirt? Why am I sewing at all? I should go and sit in a cave and eat berries.
Sarah E Bourne@artbyailbhe I use a crochet hook with a very small hook - it's so easy to hang onto, and you can just press the thread against it with a finger if it needs a bit of a tug.
Jos Dingjan@artbyailbhe A trick on sailboats when re-assembling bearings of e.g. winches is to use honey or syrup to hold them in place, as you can wash that out with water. Would something similar be possible here?
@happydisciple I need to hold it all in place until I get it through the sewing machine. I'm not sure what happens if you take a sewing machine covered in honey and linen fibres to the mechanic but it's probably good for caulking.
Iris Richardson Fine Art 🇩🇪🇺🇸📷@artbyailbhe I admire your persistence. I want to teach myself to sew cloth. Nothing ever fits me right. The styles in the stores are kind of lame and so are many of the dull colors.
@irisRichardson the instructions on this pattern from the 1950s are extremely clear, it's going to teach me a LOT.
EllenInEdmonton 
@artbyailbhe
Ah, I haven't done that for a long time since I'm primarily sewing with quilting cotton or bedsheets and the weave seems very straight. Congrats on completing an annoying and arduous task!
Ah, I haven't done that for a long time since I'm primarily sewing with quilting cotton or bedsheets and the weave seems very straight. Congrats on completing an annoying and arduous task!
@EllenInEdmonton I haven't done it before and I only did it this time because with instructions this clear it seems a shame to waste them. I can see myself doing it again though, it was helpful.
Lydia@artbyailbhe that fabric is amazing!
@lunapuella I absolutely love it https://mastodon.art/@artbyailbhe/110588587771498941
Ailbhe (@[email protected])
Attached: 4 images @[email protected] the rainbow galaxy print was available in cotton jersey, cotton woven, and thin scuba-type fabric. I accidentally got ALL THE KINDS. First thing I made was a skort with pockets.