Laurens Live Q&A 29th January

Hello and welcome to the round-up of Monday 29th January's live Q&A from the shop floor!

Thank you to everyone who contributed and joined! I love spending this time with you each week answering all of your dressmaking questions and getting the inspiration and advice we need to get making our projects.

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!

If you want to join next time

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In case you missed it

The sweater I'm wearing in this video is the stunning Fibre mood Bright Coral Snuggly fleece-back organic cotton. You all loved it so much it flew off the shelves but fear not! I have secured more and it's available for pre-order here.

Join us on Wednesday 21st January, for a fun sewing-related evening out at G&G as Ralph, the expert from Lutterloh International, visits for a one-hour demonstration that will expand your dressmaking skills. Find out more here.

We had our sample sale last weekend we LOVED to see lots of you there! We will have a online sample sale soon, so keep and eye out for that!

Fabrics Featured

Patterns Featured

Highlights

Starting your dressmaking journey

I recommend investing in basic sewing tools and equipment! Explore beginner-friendly patterns from various pattern companies and consider taking sewing courses, either online or in-person, to build your skills. Make sure you learn about different fabric types to make sure that you can make the right choices for your projects. And finally don’t let the fear of getting something wrong stop you!

See some useful links here:
Lauren’s ‘Essentials Blog Post’
Closet Core beginners blog
Tilly and the button patterns like Stevie top & Jaimie Pyjamas are great for starting your dressmaking journey!

Getting clean button holes!

Cover buttonhole cutter is a great tool for this!

Some fabrics fray more than others, so sometimes you will need to work harder on trimming that down, even if you use a buttonhole chisel.

I would also recommend you to look at the stitch length on your buttonhole settings, and maybe reduce the stitch length to get a denser finish around the buttonhole.

Maternity friendly patterns

Take a look at Lauren's guide to non-maternity sewing patterns linked here and at the bottom of this page.

My thinking with this is that if they are not maternity-specific patterns then you get more wear out of the garments long term!

Friday Pattern Company Ilford Jacket

Denim and non-denim options for this super versatile and stylish jacket. It's so easy to wear and there are so many options for customising and making it unique to you! A great wardrobe staple.

All the questions I cover in the video:

Tips/advice

I want to get into dressmaking, do you have any advice or tips?

Tips on getting a clean buttonhole. I use fray check but they still look so messy

Do you offer an online course for grading necklines up as some patterns can be quite revealing?

Any idea of how to do a forward shoulder adjustment on the sew over it Estelle dress?

Recommendations for fabric/pattern combinations

I’m going to be a first time Nana in the summer and have a pattern for bibs, mittens, etc and would love some fabric recommendations. I want something that will be super soft but wash and dry well.

I was wondering if the millerain dry wax cotton would be suitable for a trench coat? Do you have any classic trench coat patterns you could recommend?

Someone also asked in IG stories for trench coat pattern recommendations and suggested something like the ‘M&M haremere’

Any nursing friendly patterns?

Fabric recommendations for the Southport dress.

What is the different between the dry wax and the wet finish wax?

Any pattern suggestions for 1m of medium weight linen, 150cm wide. I’m a size uk 14.

Cute trouser pattern suggestions for cotton tencel fabric.

Easy lined coat pattern for first time please.

Please can you recommend denim and none denim patterns for the ilford?

Simple mini skirt pattern and fabric to sew for my teen.

Any ideas for a cardigan pattern in a drapery knit fabric?

Fabrics for the assembly line cap and sleeve vest for smart summer layering & snazzy lining

Would you attempt pattern matching when making a shirt with the stamped star viscose crepe?

Fabric and pattern of the shirt you wore in the story on Sunday.

Fabric suggestions for the Peony Dress for my sons wedding in May please.

Would the Navy viscose blended knit work for the jarrah?

I’d love to see your suggestions of a drapery fabric for the style arc trinnie dress.

Looking for a plain fabric for a TATB Marnie.

Would the red and orchid floral viscose be suitable for the elodie dress?

I am looking to make the Jaskia blazer and sasha trousers as a suit, any fabric recommendations?