Buttons and Bobs

 After two awful nightdress purchases online I asked for advice in a Facebook sewing group. Someone recommended Butterick 6838. I dug in to my stash to find suitable fabric of a length that would enable me to make  View C with the length of View B. Instead of lace I used piping to add some edging detail. No doubt the result will look much better when I have ironed it but for now - here's a nightie that I'm pleased with.  Piping : Tips I wish I had read before I sewed my nightie.

 This is my first attempt at sewing a Leona from the Fibre Mood magazine edition 17. It took a a bit of time to get used to how the patterns are presented, to trace and then to remember to add the seam allowance on each piece. I like to think of new exercises as stimulation for my brain cells - they need it. Leona is a flashback to the '80s with huge batwing sleeves. As usual I'm disappointed in my sewing skills at the neckline. (Sewhouse 7 Toaster Sweater 1 is still my go-to when I need cheering up. I've made eight so far and I have been happy with them all!) This Leona is made with french jersey. I need to press it but at the moment I daren't in case I make the neck worse! For examples of lovely Leonas search the internet - particularly Instagram for #fibremoodleona Update: I followed   advice from a lady called Janie in a sewing group  on Facebook -  " Have you tried a good blast of steam around the back of the neck binding? Works miracles."   and I...

 I am always on the lookout for YouTube vloggers who clearly explain how to make items without telling me personal details about  how tired they are, their daily life and introducing me to their pets. Another thing I appreciate is NO background sounds but so many vloggers add nerve jangling music. Does that sound mean? Sorry - sometimes I'm in a hurry to learn something new. Recently I have been impressed with the sewalong tutorials on Sew Sew Lounge, "Behind the Pink Door" , "Melly Sews","Sweet Red Poppy  and  "Made Every Day". Here are links to some examples: Sew Sew Lounge : Toni explains how to sew. I traced the outline of a RTW blouse only to find that it was not going to be as simple to sew as I first thought. I was able to find the instructions I needed on Toni's YouTube channel. Sweet Red Poppy : Sewing for Children Leggings (Includes a free pattern) Note the links to the free patterns can be accessed by clicking on "Show More...

 The fabric is  200 gsm. I should have looked for a thicker fabric for the sweatshirt I had in my mind. I now search for fabrics of 250 gsm or more though some websites merely list their fabrics with descriptions like "Weight medium".   I'm told the neckline will not look as puckered when the item is being worn. Fingers crossed.

It was worth taking the time to watch demonstrations  on YouTube on how to use ribbing fabric for necks and cuffs on Tshirts and sweatshirts. I was really proud of the result and was just adding top stitching when I noticed ........... a HOLE in the ribbing.  The hole was on the fold line. Nowhere near where I had pinned or stitched. How had that happened?!! Unpicking took ages as the cotton matched the ribbing so well it was hard to see.  Well I'll try again tomorrow though my trust in the ribbing fabric is not !00%.