Lauren's Live Q&A 5th February

Hello and welcome to the round-up of Monday 5th February'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

Follow us on Instagram
You can DM us your questions on InstagramSubscribe to our YouTube Channel
Email us your question to watch back on Youtube.

In case you missed it

The shirt I am wearing is the Paper Theory Shirt Olya Shirt. This was a Sewing Society Kit back in July. While you can no longer get the kit, you can still get my top tips video here.

The Yard Dyed Striped Viscose is a beautiful fabric and this colourful range will feature in the new window display so keep an eye out for that!

You all loved my Jarrah Jumper in the Fibre Mood Bright Coral organic cotton. I have worked my socks off and managed to get my hands on some more for you. It is due to arrive in March and you can pre-order yours now.

BACK IN STOCK!

We’ve all got those hidden corners of fabric, squished and squashed somewhere. One of those when you're not quite sure what each bit of fabric is! We have a resolution and that is the Kylie and the Machine fabric ID tape

Fabric Featured

Patterns Featured

Top Tips videos

Highlights

“I am going to make the 'I am Hathor vest' in your fur-backed corduroy fabric. As it’s fur-backed I am not going to line the vest. My question is how do I finish the neckline, armholes and centre front edges of the fabric? The bottom I guess I just turned up and hem, but I wasn’t sure what I needed to do on the other edges.”

There are two options here. Either bias binding on the edges or draft a facing for the neckline and centre front.

The Bias binding can be made using a nice contrast fabric or you could try to find something that's a close colour match - that can be tricky though. Check out my bias binding blogs and videos below for now to make your own.
The facing option will add bulk but you’d be surprised it can take some layers and trimming back some of the fur along with using a walking foot on the sewing machine will help with that.

“Would love to see a fabric for crease-resistant trousers for summer.”

Our range of Bamboo Blended Fabric is perfect for crease-free trousers as it contains recycled polyester. It's the synthetic/polyester fibres that stop the creasing but the mix with bamboo means they are still soft and breathable compared to a 100% synthetic fabric.

Can you suggest any sewing chairs? My back and shoulders ache after sewing!

We had lots of tips shared from ensuring your lighting is good, setting an alarm to take quick breaks and stretch/roll your shoulders and try working at the ironing board as a work station so you can stand for short periods. The episode from the Love to Sew Podcast on ergonomic sewing was also recommend by viewers. It features Rose Parr, who is a sewist and ergonomics expert. In this episode of Love to Sew, you can get her best advice for sewing practices that are kind to your body, including how to set up your sewing space, which ergonomic tools make a difference, and what stretches to do.
Listen to the podcast here.

All Questions Covered

I am going to make the I am Hathor vest in your fur-backed corduroy fabric. As it’s fur-backed I am not going to line the vest. My question is how do I finish the neckline, armholes and centre front edges of the fabric? The bottom I guess I just turned up and hem, but I wasn’t sure what I needed to do on the other edges.

I’m hacking a top/blouse to open down the front - any tips for neat corners, please?

Can you suggest any sewing chairs? My back and shoulders ache after sewing!

How do you do darts in heavy fabric like suede or corduroy?

Zip recommendations for Fibre mood didi pullover in a pale sea green fleece, possibly a pop of colour?

I'm making my wedding dress this year. I'm aiming for something simple but elegant. But it's in November! My plan is a D&D Magnolia in meet milk tencel twill. I'm hoping this won't be too heavy for the magnolia. I'd like to be able to dye the dress afterwards but I'm wondering what thread to use as I don't think Guterman sew-all will dye because of it being polyester?

How can I slightly lower/widen the neckline of the TATB Marnie?

Would love to see a fabric for crease-resistant trousers for summer.

Can you tell me what pattern was used for the beautiful long coat on display behind you?

I just purchased the Maison Fauve Dandelion jacket pattern but need to have some selections of fabric. Can you help, please?

How many metres do you have left of this Atelier Brunette Oasis Night Viscose Fabric, please?

I have your Spruce Bamboo Blended Twill fabric for the Mitchells but I realise it has stretch, would it work or should I use the cotton twill?

And is the cotton twill different in weight/stiffness to the sanded twill used for the Philippa kit? Thank you

Dungaree pattern for toddlers for knit fabric

Fabric for 1st Marnie blouse, i’m not ready for viscose. I don’t want structure or stiff fabric either.

Would the dark green rib knit be suitable for a Nikko dress or top?

Fabric recommendations for the Sabel cardigan as an alternative to the kit fabric.

I have got 2m of the pink confetti modal fabric and it’s so nice! Any pattern recommendations, please?

Do you have any pattern recommendations for camis that suit curvier women? (not the Ogden)

Does the Cone Mills rigid denim need prewashing twice like it was suggested with the stretch version?

Fabric suggestions for black jersey knickers, please.

Please recommend a simple beanie pattern so I can use up my fabric from the Sabel kit.

Can you recommend any dress patterns with a shirt collar? Like M7834 is no longer in print.

See you next week!