Can't recommend them enough!

I've been using them for years, and they're fab, but the went above and beyond yesterday.

I realised yesterday afternoon that I couldn't find a length of fabric I needed for the dress I'm working on this weekend. it's on a roll, but I can't work out what on earth I've done with it. I'll probably cut it tonight then find it. I know it's somewhere 'safe'.

Anyway, panicked phone call to hub yesterday lunch time - he says he'll sort it. So he rang round, and B&M said they had it, and he left work early to trek into Leeds to get it for me (it's on his way home, just the long way home). He got there, and they realised they'd not put it on the van that morning. 'Aargh', he says, because I needed it today, and he couldn't go back and get it today.

So, stars that they are, they went off to get it, while hub waited in the pub, agreeing to meet him with it at 6.30. On a Friday night. When they normally close at 5 (or thereabouts). I know I do buy a fair bit from them, but...

So, if you're in the area, they're the ones with the sign that says 'Remnant Corner'.

OH just caught me shiftily trying to conceal 2 interesting looking envelopes that arrived today via ebay.

He looked somewhat relieved when I 'fessed up that they were some vintage sewing patterns....

then he laughed and said I'd been looking at "sewing porn" again....

Good job he is an understanding man! (although I just don't know what else he though I might have been buying :shock:)

Due to really good feedback on the Colette sorbetto pattern I decided I knew what to do with the leftovers of daughters wedding dress. As I am currently stuck at a point at which I can't proceed any further until I see the daughter in a few weeks time I decided to fill my time with this project.

Downloading the pattern was easy, a bit like a blue Peter project :lol: and set to making the toile. As we are a similar size I used me as the mannequin. I had to shorten the darts and move them down slightly but it was a good fit. So I now need to proceed using the embroidered tulle, the countess satin and lining and make the top up.

This means she can wear it the next day and then they are going to the lakes and then next Easter they are going on 'honeymoon' so she will be able to wear it there.

I think it's a really nice plan. BTW she knows about it at the mo. I will surprise her in a few weeks:smile:

Found this website, which was quite interesting. When I got my Mega Quilter and took the plate off it was stuff with a thick layer of dross. Some of these are horrendous though.



http://www.sandissewingconnection.co...-servicing.htm

So...I've been working on a king size grandmothers garden quilt top for about a year and a bit.

I never thought I'd see a light at the end of the tunnel...However, after doing the math, and actually sitting down and working out the pattern (really should do that BEFORE starting one of these things) I realised I've actually made too many coloured hexagons and am short on cream/white/off-white ones!

I'm not too well at the moment so I spent most of my saturday curled up on the sofa watching put your money where your mouth is and putting together hexagons. I have now officially finished sewing the coloured (aside from the green 'petal' hexagons) part of the quilt!

I only have around 25 more off white 'flowers' do make and then piece the top together.

Then I have to work out what the grapefruit I'm going to do with it. What to use in the middle (usually I use old blankets bought from the charity shop..but largest i've ever found there was a double!), what backing fabric, I already have a rather nice green bias for the edging, but have no idea what to do in regards to actually quilting it!

I've attached my 'pattern' that I drew up this morning, it's not going to be magenta, that's just the colour that was easiest for me this morning for some reason, the coloured hexies are going to be, or rather all are, different!

In other news...I appear to have lost a patchwork in progress...might have a more serious look for it after finishing this one.

Amy

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	quilt pattern..jpg (49.9 KB)

I'm planning to make Simplicity 3956 http://www.simplicity.com/images/pro...6_envelope.pdf

I've got some georgette fabric but it has a vertical design which would look better cut straight rather than on the bias but would it be possible to do that? If so, what difference would it make to the garment?

If not, I have read a few reviews of the pattern which recommend hanging the skirt part after hemming and before attaching to the bodice to allow it to stretch. How would you hang it?

I learnt to make clothes when I was young, but over the years, although I kept up with the knitting, the sewing got left behind. Knitting is portable, sewing with a machine needs setting up and the kitchen table doesn't really work long term. As the children got older any spare desk/table space was taken up with computers. Now time for me, realised how much I had enjoyed sewing after watching The Sewing Bee.

At the moment cleaning up the two sewing machines I have, hand Singer made in 1915(bought 40 years ago) and Jones about 30 years old. I'd like to get a new one later in the year, also a dedicated area with desk or sewing cabinet. Not sure, need to sort out my requirements and priorities. Although top of my list will be having fun.

What do I want to make? for me - skirts and pyjamas, for the house - curtains, bedding.

Pat xx

I started making this a few weeks ago as a playmat/bed quilt for expected grandchild. I got the pattern from Ruby McKim's wonderful 1932 book "101 Patchwork Patterns". I have the 1962 revised addition.
I have finished all the block piecing and intend to alternate the pieced blocks with plain white ones and edge also with plain white. In the time honoured tradition of patchwork that Ruby talks of I have used scraps that I already have rather than buying fabric specially.
Parts of the edges of the pieced blocks are necessarily bias so I plan to cut the plain blocks on the straight grain to stabilise them even though that means they will be set on the bias viz a viz the vertical and horizontal edges of the quilt. Not sure I'm making myself clear but am I right about cutting them "straight"? This is my first quilt. (Not sure there'll ever be another!)
I hope a picture of part of the block layout will have uploaded to make this a bit clearer. Ruby says this block is more effective set as "diamonds" rather than "squares".
My other question is "What will be the most effective way to quilt this?"
It has to be finished for the baby shower in three weeks time so there is no time for anything handsewn or too fancy. The blocks come up 8" square.
So, all you experienced quiltery people (whose work displayed on here leaves me speechless with admiration) am I headed in the right direction or completely off track? All opinions gratefully received!

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P1040124.JPG (87.1 KB)

Kwik Sew 3660 Top, cropped top, pants suitable for 4-way stretch fabrics. All sizes in one packet XS to XL.

£3.50 inc UK postage. Paypal preferred if possible.

Uncut, unused, never taken out of packet - I bought the same pattern twice because I liked it so much! :oops:

There's going to be a Batman convention in Liverpool in August and I'm in the process of making a Robin outfit as its going to get used quite often. I've done the red top by using a red sweatshirt and cutting the sleeves off it and shaping it round the waist, :razz: the green tee shirt is not going to be a problem as I'm hoping to pick one up cheaply, but its the cape that is the nightmare:confused:.
Has anyone got any ideas for a great cape which will flow :idea: ? I'm using a gold satin material which is 60 inches wide and I got 6 mtrs.
Robin is 6' tall by the way.
Ruby.

I just wanted to let you all know that JoAnn fabrics is having a sale on Simplicity Patterns 5 for $5 with a limit of 10. I bought every historic pattern they had that I wanted. I made 2 trips. I spent $20 and saved $320!!!:-P

Hello all

I have been searching the Internet tonight for feathers to make some swan lake headdresses. I need to make 8 - traditional type feather earmuff type style. Last time I used quite fluffy feathers, but I don't think they were the best choice - too fluffy duckling looking.

Just wondering what type of feathers you have used and if anyone has a good UK source - as usual budget is 'cheap as possible'

Any pointers much appreciated as I need to order something really soon. :smile:

Hello!


So i've bought two sewing machines from a local ad for $20 ( A antique singer sewing machine and a slightly new White model 302L sewing machine ).

I've spent the past two days watching videos and trying to sew with the White machine and kept getting my threads all jumbled up :evil: ( Not sure if this is the machine or my complete 0% experience with sewing machines. This can be left to worry about later )

From working with this machine yestarday, I can recall that the bobbin case made a *clicking* sound when I snapped it in place. It has this little hinge on the bobbin case that seemed to have tension on it. Now it seems that this little hinge as no tension what so ever and flops around freely.

As you can see in the pic the little hinge is hanging freely. I would think this is not supposed to be? Now when ever I place this bobbin case in side of the machine and I start sewing it quickly slides and falls out.

On top of this there was a little arm sticking out that I accidentally broke off :oops: but can glue back with super glue. Im not exactly sure if this arm is used for anything :confused: .

Although the main problem at hand now is this bobbin case not clicking in place. If anyone here with experience can help me it would be GREATLY appreciated.

Cheers :razz:

I'm in the middle of making myself a skirt and a pair of Capri trousers, problem is that I find it really hard to fit myself. I've got one hip lower than the other and normally it's not a problem but I'm making a skirt on a yoke and it dips on one side and I'm not sure if I should be taking it up on the yoke or waistband. The trousers were a problem until my Aunty came round and helped me sort them out. She lay a pair of trousers that did fit on top of them and marked the edges so I've now got to tailor tack them and put them together, fingers crossed that they fit OK (they can't fit any worse lol). I'm going to hers on Monday to sort the skirt out but it's across the other side of London so it's quite a way to go. If any of you can give me tips on how to fit clothes without any help I'd be really grateful. :???:

Based on Butterick 4918, I made my DD's prom dress in duchesse satin. Very little alteration was needed - she wanted thin straps applying so that she could dance safely with no fear of slippage! Just got a text from her saying that everyone loves it :-P

http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/phot...dex.php?n=7859

http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/phot...dex.php?n=7860


http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/phot...dex.php?n=7861

http://sewing.patternreview.com/patterns/19541