Lauren's Instagram Live Q&A 19th February Round up!

Welcome to the round-up of Monday 19th February's live Q&A from the shop floor!

I love spending these Monday evenings with you every week, answering all of your dressmaking questions and providing dressmaking inspiration and technical sewing tips to create your next project!

If you prefer to watch dressmaking tutorials on YouTube, then click the video below to watch my Live Q&A in full!

If you want to join next time

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In case you missed it

The Online Fabric Sample sale is live! We only have a limited amount of stock left, so make sure you get them while you can here.

With Mother's Day is coming up next month, we have a great Cosmetics Bag Sewing Class for confident beginners.
This would make a great gift for a sewing afternoon together or an opportunity for you to hand-make a Mother’s Day gift for someone special in your life. Head to the workshops page here to book in!

I am going live again on Thursday 22nd February at 8:00 pm with Mimiquins, so drop me a DM on Instagram with any questions regarding their beautiful custom-made mannequins.

In this video I am wearing The Fibremood Quilla Top made up in our Rose Yard Dyed Check Linen.

New Fabrics

Highlights

How do you know when you need to match a print fabric?
It is easy with plaids and stripes but I wonder if I need to match a print ( like a floral)

There are a few factors to take into consideration when deciding to pattern-match

• The design of the garment and where the seams/style lines are. For example, if it has a centre front seam of button band then you might want to spend more time matching that.
• The scale of the design on the fabric - quite often if it is small then its less likely you would want to match it
• The regularity/repeat of the design on the fabric - if you can see rows or columns in the pattern repeat then it's likely you will want to pattern match that, but if the design is irregular/random then it's less likely that you will need to pattern match it.

Check out my blog on Matching Checks in your dressmaking Projects - the same principles will apply when pattern-matching a print/design.

In my standard pack of sewing machine needles, I have sizes 90 & 100 what fabric would I use those on, please?

These needles have an extra sharp point and a stronger shaft, which makes them able to cope with the thickness of denim and other heavy-weight fabric like twill, drill and canvas. They are also great if you have to sew through lots of layers and your size 80 is struggling or breaks. Size 100 is for thicker heavy-weight fabrics like upholstery fabrics or heavy-weight jacquards.

Check out my guide to sewing machine needles here in this blog post.

Could you suggest Spring/Summer fabrics for Mitchell trousers with a tapered leg?

The Closet Core Mitchell Trouser Pattern is super versatile and can be used with lots of different fabrics. Decide first if you would like the finished garment to have more structure and hold its shape or if you prefer a mroe relaxed look with fabric that drapes and moves.

Our range of enzyme linen blend fabric, Ramie fabric and Cotton twill are all great options for more structure.

Or opt for the Smooth drape Tencel Twill or Bamboo blended fabric for more drape and movement.

My top tips video for making the Mitchells can be found in this link.

I am after a blouse pattern I’ll want to make multiple of. Fabric suggestion too, please.

My blog and video that shows a round up of all the button-up shirts and blouses I've made is a great place to start! The Avid Seamstress 'The Blouse' is a popular one, the Chalk and Notch Wren, Liesl and Co Geneva and Helens Closet Gibert are some of my favourites!

Patterns Featured

Fabrics Featured

All questions covered

Tips/advice-related questions

How do you know when you need to match a print fabric? It is easy with plaids and stripes but I wonder if I need to match a print ( like a floral).

Is viscose suitable for a very first dressmaking project? I have a pattern for a sleeveless top and love some of your viscose fabrics.

Is your Sewing Society Coco top kit, slightly lower at the front than Hannah’s?

My body measurements are 34, 27, 37. What size of Georgie dress should I make, 8 or 10?

In my standard pack of needles, I have sizes 90 & 100 what fabric would I use those on, please?

I have this fabric to make a blouse with, do you think the embroidery would be a problem when making a placket or collar? Embroidered Daisy On Cream Cotton Voile Fabric

I have purchased the Tessuti pattern Ophelia dress for the summer, but what is vilene shields?

I don’t quite understand how much ease I should have for an elastic waist style trouser that’s obviously not fitted. If you have any comments or suggestions, I’d greatly appreciate it.

I have another question about shirts like the Archer button-down. When I find a button-down I like that I’ve purchased, I have trouble with a size to fit over my bust (cup size C) but then find the armscye/armhole doesn’t fit correctly. I have pulling between the front shoulder and upper arms as I extend my arms forward. I don’t know if this fit issue is due to a need for a full bust adjustment or something else... If you could shed some light on my issue, I would be grateful.

Recommendations for fabric/pattern combinations

Would the strawberry double gauze be good for the Donny shirt or what other patterns please x

Fabric for M&M Harleme Dungarees. Denim. Blue or cream.

I’m looking for a skirt pattern for a viscose twill, midi length. I’m not sure what will work well.

Please can I have more information on the wet finished wax cotton. Does it leave a residue on things?

Dressmaking Pattern recommendations for bamboo jersey fabric, please!

Please can you tell me what weight corduroy should I get for the trucker jacket?

Any ideas for what I can make with 90cm of leftover dressmaking wool from my Marshall trousers kit?

Could you suggest Spring/Summer fabrics for Mitchell trousers with a tapered leg?

What does the number before wale mean in corduroy? Eg 9 wale 18 wale.

Dressmaking Fabric suggestions for the True Bias shirt, please?

Dressmaking Fabric Recommendations for navy dressmaking fabrics for elasticated waist trousers for office wear.

Dressmaking Pattern recommendations for a baby girl - summer dress.

Dressmaking Pattern Recommendation for the Coral Foliage Scalloped Border fabric.

Navy fabric for the Hey June, Evans Blazer - I need a stable knit with stretch and good recovery.

Could I see the Moss graphic zig-zag fabric? I am thinking of a Sew Over it Heidi.

Recommendations for a non-sweat sweatshirt fabric for the Sew Over it Toaster.

Fabric suggestion for wide-leg trousers, something swishy but not viscose linen.

I am after a blouse pattern I’ll want to make multiple of. Fabric suggestion too, please.