Stitcher's Guild Reloaded

@CCL Thank you! That is very kind.

I agree with you that the waistcoat is a style that can be worn alone beautifully. I was also thinking of wearing it over a dress. I was thinking about a jacket only because I get cold. I have a knitted vest I love and whenever I wear it over a shirt alone my arms end up getting cold. It's a dilemma. Perhaps if I make a heavy version of the vest that can be worn over a sweater and then a lighter version that can be worn in the springtime or summertime, I will be OK.

I know what you mean about the comfort of working on something familiar, and better yet if it is something that you find to be useful and comfortable. I am about to pick up my knitting for the same reasons. I made a toile of a pair of trousers this afternoon and although there is nothing wrong with them and I know what fitting changes need to be made, I'm not feeling any excitement. I might do something different for me and make a whole bunch of toiles first before sewing anything up. That would give me an opportunity to see how different garments could work together before committing. We'll see.

Happy sewing, everyone!

Quote from: stephaniecan on January 16, 2021, 12:52:23 pmwaistcoat (is) a new object for me and right now I am thinking that I will need a jacket to wear over mine, so I'm thinking about potential patterns to use for that.

I love that waistcoat - just my opinion, but I'd wear it all by itself - over a dress or maybe a blouse that would make it standout. I don't think it needs a jacket - my fear would be that a jacket in the same fabric would really dilute the impact of the waistcoat - or even take away the spotlight.  The waistcoat's lines are so great, I am not sure I would want to cover it up. As I said, just my opinion.  I know you are considering a contrasting collar - though I really also like the version you posted in your thread of the floral - just stunning.

And to repeat... your shirt is a stunner...love the red buttons .  I am guessing lots of folks wish they could turn out such a great garment!  Be heartened, Stephanie, you  have some wonderful ideas churning in your plan.

I am sewing up a very pedestrian fleece jacket, one I have made several times before, and which doesn't need a lot of thought or careful work.  I am actually finding it quite relaxing before I tackle something a little more challenging.

I didn't exactly "sew" this week, as I'm still going through my fabrics to decide which will become a waistcoat. I also think that the waistcoat needs a jacket and a pair of pants, so I spent some time looking at patterns for those. At this very moment I am being lazy and procrastinating on getting started on either a pants toile I cut out or sewing the brown Liberty shirt to wear under the waistcoat.

I was feeling a little bit down on my plaid shirt, thinking it was bland and that it wouldn't "go" with anything else, but I realized that that is pandemic malaise talking. One has to celebrate one's results as well as one's plans. I put it on this morning and decided that I was happy with it - particularly as it was carefully sewn. Here's a slightly better picture of it on.



Well, that is enough for my procrastinating. I am happy to see so many people active and sewing such nice things - it's inspiring. Although I'm not productive, this is helping me to dream a little bit. I am happy to be working through some winter garments, but I admit that I'm excited about the "blooming" part after that, in which I will make the vintage fancy dress, the yellow flowered dress, the yellow coat...My elderly bachelor friend sent me this year's Pantone colours and apparently yellow and grey are it. He wanted me to know that he thinks I'm "on trend." That might be a first for me!

Have a nice weekend.

@CCL What a great round up of comments. Of course - thanks for the compliment and I would love to see your waistcoat. It's a new object for me and right now I am thinking that I will need a jacket to wear over mine, so I'm thinking about potential patterns to use for that.

I agree that this SWAP is a welcome respite from...everything else.

@kowgiirl.up - I've gone back and looked through my emails and can't find a record for the light green viscose jersey so I must have purchased that in one of my local sewing shops that has now sadly closed due to the repeated lockdowns.  It's such a shame as it was a treasure trove with lovely, helpful staff who all sewed and was in old medieval building with some exposed beams poking out amongst the racks of fabric bolts.

I do buy a lot of my fabrics online and I think for those flutter sleeves the fabric needs to have good drape.  Lightweight viscose jersey always seems to work well for patterns I've made like this.  Hope you find a good fabric - I do find a lot of fabric from fabric stores on eBay but I'm in the UK so I'm sure you would probably find better options than the ones I use.  Some of the stores offer samples or are good at answering questions about the weight of fabric or drape if you ask them, especially sellers that run a Bricks and Mortar fabric store as well as their eBay one. 

I started trying out using the serging and topstitch techniques after seeing that a lot of my more expensive RTW clothes used this in certain situations and then when I started buying patterns from Peggy at Silhouette Patterns and watching her webcasts where she recommends the same finish.  I don't use it on everything but it's a good option sometimes and the serging makes it really easy to turn an even, narrow hem for topstitching and it's easy to follow the curves of necklines as it's only a 3/8" or less hem.

@Medea - you inspired me to go look at the Ginger Jeans pattern again.  I haven't ever made jeans, but this pattern might be an easier start on jeans making for me.  I was in awe of the SWAP @treefrog did a number of years ago with cargo pants, bras, jeans...so professional!

@Turquoise - you have the secret of online shopping - I have learned the hard way not to be too disappointed when fabric arrives and it's not really suitable for the vision I had.  The better reaction is "oh, an opportunity to keep on looking.  Now, what will this be a good fabric for???"  Course, easier said than done.

@stephaniecan - I love love that waistcoat.  Would you mind if I copycat you?  I have enough of the blue check/plaid fabric left over from the skirt for a vest and was planning to use a tried-n-true pattern, but also thinking of using a traditional vest pattern recently purchased.  Like the one you are using so much better!  Can't wait to see it made up.

@kowgiirl.up  - The hat.  Thanks for the compliment.  After Christmas 1/2 off sale Pendleton present to myself.  I love it. I need a hat with a brim and this one does the trick for winter (warmer).

@warpjr1965 - what worked to get my sewing juices going for me was to start with a pattern I had made before and knew what to expect... reduced one of those mental barriers. Actually, I am still sort of in that place (disregarding what I just wrote about wanting to try new patterns).  Sticking with the TNTs heightens the possibility of success and I think that helps keep me going.  When times are more settled, I am more open to experimenting.  Of course, different folks have different motivators.

@Grasshopper - waving - hope real life settles down a bit so you can get back to the sewing machine soon.

@sharonspils - I forgot to comment how much I liked your orange (?) dress.  More pictures of your recent makes, please? 

@Melinda_B - Hope you were able to finish the tights sewing for a friend and get on with some SWAP sewing.  I am about to dust off the Madeira Applique technique you shared several years ago to finish off a poncho a friend asked me to finish up for her daughter.  Thankyou for exposing me to that!

@indigotiger - Print turtle necks.  Love them...love both fabrics. I was so happy to find the Style Arc Alexi pattern a couple of years ago. 

@Karamiel - such a comfortable looking dress - nice shoes!

@Pagog - Nice pattern and fabric for the window pane check shirt.  Looks so comfortable.

I hope I didn't miss anyone's progress to date.  And apologies to those if I did.  Thanks again @treefrog for starting the SWAP. It's definitely the respite from the events of the real world and a huge incentive to get back in the sewing room.  Today I am working on the black polartec fleece jacket.

I've made progress with my jeans but when I tried them, when I was closed to finished, they're too small. It's probably because the pattern I use, Ginger Jeans, has a pocket stay and it will flatten my tummy too much. I have to cut and make ordinary pockets. Then I think they will be okay. Maybe I have to make a bigger size next time.

This image is before sewing the pockets and they still fit...

I have thoughts about to maybe sew a few dresses for my SWAP. I'm in real need of dresses, both for work and when meeting friends. I really hope that will be the reality soon, that we'll be able to meet friends again.

I also need clothes for workout.

@Turquoise , where did you get the jersey for your summer top with the fluttering sleeves? Both tops are very cute and I really like the neckline.

Also, you mentioned that you weren't sure how you felt about the binding for the second top. You said you might just serge, fold over and topstitch future one(s). I hadn't thought about using that technique.  I'm learning so much with this SWAP. Pretty coolio:)

I've updated my plan with the Summer tops. I ordered several types of interfacing for the jacket so the next thing will be to try out these and make a start on the jacket...and the new additional Ponte Jacket.

I've finished the other Summer knit top - Simplicity 1113.  I like the shape and the length but I'm not sure how I feel about the binding at the neck and armholes.  I think I would use either much narrower  bindings or just overlock and topstitch for future versions as the binding gives quite a sporty look to the top and feels much more like a workout top.  It will be good in warm weather though!