Lauren's Instagram Live Q&A Round up- 4th March!

Welcome to another Instagram Live Q&A round-up from Monday 4th March from the shop floor!

These Monday evenings are the highlight of my 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

Next week, Monday 11th March, will be my last Q&A for a little while as I take a break to have my baby. I'll be leaving you in the very safe hands of the g&g team who will be doing Q&A videos that we will release each Monday evening at 8pm - so you can still get your g&g Monday night fabric fix!

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In case you missed it

This week I'm wearing my Closet Core Jenna Shirt made from our White Geo Diamond Cotton Cheesecloth Fabric. This pattern has been super popular so if its showing as out of stock, sign up for a stock notification and we'll let you know as soon as its available again - we always have more on the way!

We also have a Fibre Mood Magazine competition going live next week - we've picked a lovely fabric from the shop for one of the fabrics to be part of the prize bundle so if you fancy giving Fibremood a try then keep an eye on Instagram for how to enter!

New fabrics arrivals

This week I highlighted our amazing new Yoga Activewear fabrics that come in a selection of plains and prints. Great for like the Megan Nielsen Virginia or the Helens Closet Avery (a past sewing society kit) or a tank or vest top or even a t-shirt. These fabrics aren't limited to doing Yoga! Use them for all of your active wear projects whatever your activity!!

I was also sharing our new Bengaline fabric - ideal for sporty style zip ups like the Friday Pattern Company Arlo track and some super soft and cosy fleece and fur fabrics for a spring layering jumper!

Fabrics Featured

Patterns

Question highlights

Can you tell us more about your hints and tips videos? Are they like a sew along or a focus on tricky bits?

My Top Tips videos that come included with every sewing society kit should be used along side the instructions that come with the pattern included in the kit. They aren't a detailed step by step but instead focus on trickier bits of construction and always give ideas and alternatives to techniques shown. Often there are added extras in the video that aren't part of the instructions - all with the aim of increasing your transferable sewing skills for future projects as well as getting a great finish on the project featured in the kit.

The videos are also available to purchase as a separate stand along product, you can browse all of them in this link.

Is the Closet Core Jenna shirt similar to make to the Paper Theory Olya? I need a casual shirt

I love both of these patterns but they are quite different. Both have a traditional collar stand and collar but the main bulk of the shirt has quite a few differences.

• The button placket on the Olya is made by sewing an extra bit of fabric on - the Jenna has a fold over placket so is a bit easier to sew
• The front yoke section on the Olya is attached to the sleeve, making a more unusual design detail and meaning you have to attach the sleeve in a very different way to the bodice and the back yoke. It's quite tricky, but we featured the Olya in a Sewing Society kit last year so you can check out my top tips video for tackling that.
• Both are oversized shirts and I have sized down when I made both versions pictured below but even with sizing down I still think the Olya is a bit more over sized.

All questions answered

Can you tell us more about your hints and tips videos? Are they like a sew along or a focus on tricky bits?

Inspiration for decorative stitches on my machine please. What do others use them for?

Can the button fly easily be replaced with a zip on the phillipa trousers

How would you interface a men’s shirt collar? Sew in or iron on? What weight?

What needle should I use for a quilted filet? One side denim. One side cotton.

Can you make the M&M Florence less full at the back? How would I do this?

I am planning to make the Liberty Alexa frill dress and I bought fabric for it already. Apart from the main fabric and lining, the pattern mentions also “contrast” fabric, which I didn’t expect (or buy). What is this contrast for? I’m also not planning to line it, do you think that’s ok if the fabric is not see-through, or is there another reason to line a dress?

I need to have a destash and my real problem is scraps from previous projects. I find it so hard to get rid of them "just in case". Any tips on how to make decision-making easier? What type of scraps do you keep and what would you not keep? Is it different for jersey and woven?

I’m making a jacket from Ponte Roma. How can I finish the seams so it looks pretty inside?

I have made a toile of the Coco and want to make a narrow shoulder adjustment as the sleeve is dropping off my shoulder. Will I need to make any changes to the sleeve as well if I do this?

Loving the new yoga activewear and bengaline waterproof fabrics. Please could you suggest some patterns? And would you use Maraflex thread with them or overlocker?

Would the cobalt bamboo blended twill work for Jennifer Lauren's handmade Farris jumpsuit, please?

Fabric ideas for the merchant and mills Sunday robe, please.

Fabric for a dressing gown preferably a natural fibre.

Anything with a nice border for a short summer dress/too?

Can you use stretch denim for the Ava skirt or Bobbi skirt?

Fabric for sweetpea joggers.

I bought stretch velvet from you. Is it suitable for the Georgie dress with the gathers?

Is the Jenna shirt similar to make to the Olya? I need a casual shirt

How hard is Jenna compared to Donny?

Fabric recs for the new itch to stitch Delaware jacket.

Pattern suggestion for a maxi skirt for your striped loop-back cotton, please

Green or blue fabric suggestions for Donny shirt & Remy raglan

Fabric for French Navy lucienne Henley, please

Pattern ideas for an off-the-shoulder sweatshirt/jumper or at least a very wide neck.

A fabric for Agnes pjs. Something nice and cool for the summer

I’m due in July, good patterns for maternity wear and fabric combos.

Please can you show us the Liberty Refracted light silk crepe de chine. Thank you

I’m making a work-wear capsule wardrobe and looking for a little layering top to go underneath blazers, like the Ogden cami, but I’m on the curvy side and the Ogden just doesn’t work even with adjustments.

Would you go for the Lyra or the nicks dress?

Best fabric from the Lyra which I have not made yet am I on my own?

Plain jersey for plain tee either Frankie baseball or closet core - need stretch.