Laurens Live Q&A 15th January

Hello and welcome to my round up of Monday 15th January's live Q&A from the shop floor!

If you prefer to get comfy with a cuppa and watch youtube, then click the video below to watch my Live Q&A in full!

This week's annoucements

This week I was sharing a sneak peek of the fabrics that will be part of the sample sale event at the end of January.

Congratulations to the winners of the Cashmerette book competition! We were so excited to host a giveaway on our Instagram and be able to gift a copy of 'Sewing the Curve' to 3 lucky winners!

I also gave a glimpse at the new fabrics that have just arrived in the shop!

Have a browse of the latest fabrics to land in the store here.

You can find the full list of questions that I answered below - but here are a few highlights that hopefully you'll find useful!

What is the best elastic to use for an elasticated waistband where there is a channel like linen trousers? Any tips are welcome to create a professional look as it can look quite messy.

Our range of elastics, available in black and white are great for waist bands in trousers. It has a good amount of lateral stiffness but the key is making sure that the channel is the correct width for your elastic. Make sure its not too big or too small!

Top stitching the elastic in place can also help - just make sure you evenly distribute the gathers of the fabric first before pinning in place and stretching the elastic as you sew. Depending on the width of the elastic 2-3 lines can look nice and help keep the elastic in place.

Can you use bias binding to replace a facing on a garment or would it not work?

You can yes! The main thing to consider and remember is that when you sew on a bias binding it will typically be sewn on with a smaller seam allowance that the seam allowance you would use when sewing on a facing. This can mean that the neckline opening will end up smaller and could be harder to get on and off over your head. This happened to me when I made my Tilly and the Buttons Indigo Dress and replaced the neckline facing with a binding.

To get around this you can just trim the neckline raw edges before you sew the binding on, so that by the time the binding is in place, the neckline opening is the same is it would be if you had sewn a facing in place with a bigger seam allowance.

Fabrics suggestions for Tilly and The Buttons Sonny Jacket

For a cool colour block version of the TATB Sonny jacket you could try this style with our range of luxurious chunky corduroy. It’s super soft and cosy and comes in a range of great colours to make a real statement.

If you are after something more classic and with a lighter feel, we have Sanded Twill in more classic colours and a feel that will make the jacket more lightweight and easy to layer for all weathers.

Full list of questions covered

Tips/advice related questions

• What is the best elastic to use for an elasticated waistband where there is a channel like linen trousers? Any tips are welcome to create a professional look as it can look quite messy.
• When pressing the armscyes should you press them towards the bodice or the sleeves?
• Does pressing seams make a big difference? And are some irons better for dressmaking than others?
• Can you use bias binding to replace a facing on a garment or would it not work?
• Which part of the guthermann thread is supposed to sit on top for a machine with a thread standing up?
• I have some pre quilted fabric for a toddler coat. I think cotton with poly wadding. Would you pre wash?
• I’ve brought some of your variated fur back corduroy to make an ilford jacker. What would be the best way to finish the seams please and should I size up?

Recommendations for fabric/pattern combinations

• Fabrics suggestions for TATB Sonny Jacket (both outer and outer plus lining)
• I love my g&g sewing society dani trousers. Do you have any same or similar fabric in stock?
• Could you show the apple green double gauze and any other fabric suggestions for pjs
• I would like to make a white shirt with frilly collar, unsure of fabric weight.
• I am going on a 5 day sewing retreat in Feb and had decided to make the Adeline wrap dress by forget me not. The pattern has mixed reviews and I want to get the right fabric to make it look good with pleats. It suggests viscose or linen etc but one review says it can look a bit like a dressing gown which obviously I would like to avoid. Any suggestions on fabric choice please? - Susie