Stitcher's Guild Reloaded

Thanks @dementedfairy. That is so helpful! I am going to have to get an older machine. As soon as we are free to move about I am going to begin my search. Thanks also for the help re. piped buttonhole. Yay!

For the pick stitching- personal taste.  I've also done this edge finishing by hand with small, visible running stitches- sort of halfway between a pick stitch and full on top stitching.  Best do some samples...

For the machines, the one I use at home is from 1912 if I remember rightly, but these really old ones didn't change much at all.  I'm no expert!  {we use two at school for my sewing club, one's 1921, one's 1940-ish I think]

All are beautiful HEAVY solid and totally, utterly dependable.  Real work horses.  The buttonhole attachments are easily available here, and only cost about £30.  With the actual machines averaging about £50, that's a real bargain!

I find piped buttonholes MUCH simpler than bound, and for thick fabrics. much easier to control, especially if you hand sew them.  Saves a lot of fuss.  Here's the video I learned from, the buttonhole part is at about 2.20  Piped buttonholes

Nikoru - it is certainly okay for you to join in... Particularly since the new revised end date for SWAP 2020 is June 30th, you will have a reasonable amount of time to sew

Hello!
As Boppingbeth mentioned waaay back in January, i sketched out a dress SWAP and i was wondering if it was too late to join?
I drafted and cut out mostly at the beginning of February, so it is still within the time frame.
Let me know of it is okay for me to post an official thread with my entry into this wonderful sewing aray!

I basted in the sleeves today. It looks less crazy than when I was wearing it without sleeves and with a red plaid shirt underneath. I think it has potential!

Thanks for your advice @dementedfairy. I really appreciate it. I am going to have to look up piped buttonholes! I was thinking I'd do a bound one for the front buttonhole, as I've made bound buttonholes before with success. For the sleeves, I'd truly like to make handmade buttonholes the traditional way, just for the experience. I made some once years ago and they turned out reasonably well, but it has been a long time. I envy you your machines! Just today I was thinking that when this is over with I am going to go out and buy myself some nice machines! I'd love one of those Singer machines. What vintage do you have in mind? I learned to sew on a Singer from the 60s or 70s but unfortunately it is no longer in the family! Thanks re the vote for pick stitching. I'm definitely leaning in that direction. Would it look OK about a quarter inch away from the edges or is it best at the very edges?

Hope everyone is staying safe
Stephaniecan- pick stitching is  a perfect, couture finish for those of us cursed with wonky topstitching!  As for buttonholes- piped buttonholes are easier than bound, and work well with bulky fabrics.  If not, a vintage singer and its buttonholer would amaze you [cheap too]  I dodged buttonholes for years because my machine would not play nicely, now with my vintage Singer AND the Pfaff I won last year, I love making them!  Spoiled for choice

Thank you! I hope I can finish with the new deadline. I think next week the turmoil at work will slow down and my brain will come back on board.

Apart from making myself a Cthulhu mask [why not?], and hemming some net curtains for my mum,  I've not ventured into the sewing room yet.
I was glad to see the relaxed end date, I'd hoped this might happen, and it gladdens my heart.  I was wearing the black and white clothes a lot to work, but will now be in pyjamas for the foreseeable future, with less inclination to make nice smart things right now.
Having said that, I bought a gorgeous piece of ruby red linen from a personal destash on FB, and can't wait to make up a replica of my swooshy vogue panelled skirt, even if it gets no wear before September.
I will get back to the grindstone once I master this virtual teaching gig- lots of trouser patterns to toile...

 
I had hoped this would be the case
I'm at home now, and a good way through my SWAP...but struggling to get to grips with online virtual teaching
Thanks!