#SewAngelicThreads: March 2023

ABOUT ME

I am Angela and I love to sew. I started sewing as a child and by the time I was a teenager I was wearing the very latest fashions to go out in. All me-made. I am passionate about reducing the amount of textiles sent to landfill, and encourage you to repurpose fabrics and clothes I started this blog in order to have a way in which to pass on my gained knowledge, and my professional knowledge to you, Sewing is empowering, you can save money by making items, make money by selling then, You can pass your knowledge on to others. What is there not to love? Interestingly I am a direct descendant of the Flemish weavers who came over to England in the 1300's. I find that fascinating especially as most of my family from as far back as I can trace are somehow involved in the manufacturing of fabric . . I have a degree in tailoring with a special interest in WW2 fashion.

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Simplicity 9270 loungewear set in a reversible squares and stripe fabric from Pound Fabrics

Loungewear Set by Simplicity patterns, fabric from Pound Fabrics

I love nice loungewear and this is just perfect for evenings relaxing with a book or watching TV

The fabric is totally amazing and is very affordable

This wonderful reversible fabric is from Pound Fabrics , it is 70% Cotton and available in three colourways

The link to purchase is Mini squares and striped fabric from Pound fabric

It is a double layered fabric , substantial but the high Cotton content makes it easy to wear.It is airy and soft next to the skin and needs minimal pressing .

I made size 12 and it took 3m of fabric

It is reversible with small squares on one side and stripes on the other

It is a stretch fabric and therfore you will need a brand new stretch needle in your sewing machine

I recommend using a stretch thread , this means that you can use an ordinary straight stitch without risk of it snapping during wear

The thread I use is

mettler-seraflock-stretch-thread from Jaycotts.co.uk, or there is

Gutermann Maraflex from Pound Fabrics

I also like to use my walking foot which feeds fabric through easily without stretching or distorting it. I find that once I have this foot on my machine it is a while before I remove it it makes sewing any fabric a total breeze

In order to make best use of this wonderful fabric I wanted to incorporate both sides, the top is made using the squares as the right side with the collar and facing cut out with the stripes showing

You will need stretch iron on interfacing to support the collar and front facings. Please never buy cheap interfacing, it is horrid and will cheapen your garment. These little touches make the difference between Home Made and Hand-Made . The latter is what we are aiming for

I chose I neutral coloured button and added an extra one as the pattern has just three.

The trousers are stripe side out.

Do you struggle with sorting the front from the back? I do, so I just stitch a bow or a flower or anything else I like onto the centre front . Easy! Of course you could put a label inside at the back but I find them irritating

The sewing pattern is suitable for beginners upwards. There is a choice between shorts and trousers and a long and short sleeve top. This versatile pattern will inspire you to make lots of garments. If you are a beginner I recommend starting with nightwear and loungewear as they tend to require very little fitting. I believe that it is far more satisfying to make a simple garment well rather than to make a mess of a more complicated pattern. Learning to sew should be a pleasurable experience so take your time.

Another tip. Sometimes jersey Fabrics can be tricky when it comes to sewing buttonholes. I use small pieces of a machine embroidery stabiliser under each buttonhole and it prevents the fabric from misbehaving. Save scraps of tissue paper from when you were cutting out for the same purpose