Sewing and Knitting Plans February 2019

[@kristiejennings9065]

I am loving all of your new fabrics. I love old fabrics and patterns too. Happy sewing!

[@Sewn]

Thank you! Vintage really is my favourite, such unusual colours and patterns and its great to recycle too.

[@jaclynsalemwaxtel]

Hi Rosa! Avid knitter here- So for yarns that won't pill you should look for a few qualities (in order of importance): 1) yarns that have several plies (2-4 plies. Single ply yarns pill like crazy) 2) yarns that have higher amount of twist in them, 3) yarns that are not 100% merino (the merino fiber is not AS crucial as the first two things, but it is known to pill more than other fiber types). The challenging part with this is that the sweater you're interested in calls for Super Bulky, and I don't know of too many super bulky yarns that are not a single ply. Singly ply is the #1 reason a sweater will pill. Hope this helps!!

[@Sewn]

That is all really helpful, thank you so much! x

[@sewagnes6706]

Lovely fabrics Rosa. Look forward to seeing your makes. The jumper looks lovely. I’ve just started knitting. Currently knitting a pair of slippers as my first knit make😻

[@Sewn]

Thank you! Slippers are an adorable idea. I have seriously caught the knitting bug and want to knit all the things lol

[@sagepreaumx9903]

The Liberty cushion fabric looks like it wants to be embroidered as well. It's quite antique looking I think. I especially like both of the strawberry motif fabrics and the first fabric you showed for dress making.

[@Sewn]

That's a lovely idea! I'm not much into embroidery as of yet but I'm starting to enjoy slower crafts to do in front of the telly more and more, like my knitting.

[@kathleenbarron7654]

For kids clothes i used Apple tree patterns Grow Fonder top. It has three necks, the cowl version is precious. Its a fun opportunity to mix and match fabrics. Is available on Etsy as a P D F.

[@Sewn]

Thank you, I will take a look!

[@juliadroy1179]

Great video love the Liberty and William Morris fabrics

[@Sewn]

Thank you! :)

[@katjakuitunen6961]

I recommend looking up Ottobre design magazine. It has wonderful patterns. You can browse through all the mags at their website and order past issues. I have been using Ottobre patterns for about 10 years now. In fact, as I was watching your video, I was tracing a pattern from said magazine to make a blouse for my daughter!

[@Sewn]

Thank you, this is a really popular suggestion so I must check it out!

[@nataliew9174]

Oh and beautiful fabrics too!

[@Sewn]

Thanks :)

[@constancergarcia7258]

Lovely, lovely fabrics. 😍

[@Sewn]

Thank you! :)

[@fidgetystitch9448]

Did you watch the arts and crafts house on BBC a few weeks ago? It referenced William Morris et al and was a wonderful mini series. It's still on I player if you want to catch up.

[@Sewn]

I really wanted to see that but sadly we can't watch BBC shows as we don't have live TV or a TV licence. We just have Netflix and Amazon Prime.

[@Dawn69R]

Hi Rosa, like others I recommend the Ottobre mags for baby patterns with the cross over shoulder feature. They are hard to find but I got a used one for reasonable price on Ebay that had all the patterns still uncut. To check out the patterns with each issue go to their website and flick through the issues you are looking at.

[@Sewn]

Thank you, I will take a look!

[@mmedujard]

For kids clothes in general I can recommend the Finnish "Ottobre" magazine! It has an English edition, too, but I don't know how widely it is available in Britain (in Germany you even might get it at the bigger magazine shops in train stations) They have always very well engineered patterns, that really fit. But their instructions are a bit short (but that should be no problem for you)

[@Sewn]

Thank you! I will definitely check them out. I've got lots of googling to do this evening!

[@sphhyn]

You could also use snap fastener ribbon instead of individual poppers :)

[@Sewn]

That is such a good idea! Thank you

[@tanyabennett2638]

I know you already mentioned the Brindille and twig patterns but I absolutely love their raglan sweatshirt! I’ve made loads, but only for babies at least 1 yrs old, so not sure how they are on tiny babies sorry! Because I don’t use ribbing fabric I usually cut the neckband and cuffs slightly bigger. They do have some lovely baby grow patterns too. They have a great facebook show and tell Page. You should take a look, I’m sure you’ll get loads of inspiration from all the gorgeous clothes on there! You could also try the sew over it “poppy and jazz” patterns. I haven’t actually tried one of those yet though so can’t comment on how good they are. X

[@Sewn]

Thank you for reminding me of Brindle and Twig. He's growing so fast I will be thinking of 1 year pattens before we know it :)

[@lauraveitch2280]

Hi, lovely cushion fabrics. My favourite is the Strawberry Thief. Have you heard of Twig and Tale patterns? They have great children patterns with animal themes and encourage us to use recycled materials. I made a dinosaur Pathfinder Vest for my baby grandson. It's so cute! I'm also into knitting at the moment. I find myself constantly down the Ravelry rabbit hole. Looking forward to seeing your next knitted jumper.

[@Sewn]

Omg the Ravelry rabbit hole is very real! Hours can slip away looking at beautiful patterns- my 'favourites' on there is getting very big! Thanks for letting me know about Twig and Tale I will take a look x

[@theresaboateng90]

Hi Rosa, could you do a sew along with the petite peg patterns ?

[@Sewn]

That's a good idea, but to be fair I don't think they need one. The instructions are super clear and they come together in a snap. Let me know if there are any bits in particular you get stuck with.

[@mscatzord]

Hiii! I’ve done a burdastyle baby tee last year and it worked well! I also pinned the charlie baby sweater which is a free pattern

[@Sewn]

Thank you, I will take a look :)

[@kerstinhellinger8756]

A really lovely and fast pattern I make for my two girls all the time is the 'Trotzkopf' from 'Schnabelina'. It's a free pattern and yes, the instructions are in German, but it's really easy to make. :-)

[@Sewn]

Thanks I'll check it out!

[@Sewn]

Thanks I'll check it out!

[@nataliew9174]

Great video! I love that knitted sweater pattern you highlighted in your video. I ended up adding it to my favs through ravelry. If anyone mentions yarns that pill less for it, please let me know. I’d love to make this. By the time I will finish it, it would hopefully be ready for next fall as I tend to be a slow knitter 😄

[@Sewn]

Thank you! There's been some good suggestions in the comments under this video, people particularly suggest yarns with more than more ply, with some acrylic/nylon content, and that are tightly twisted.

[@assuntinacardillo-zallo3090]

Boyfriend?! I've been married for years and still do that occasionally! As usual your vlog is a treat to watch. Love the vintage floral. That'll be a lovely smock top.

[@Sewn]

Lol I do that all the time! I get corrected at work sometimes haha

[@jeanettedemosthenous2685]

I made a cowl neck sweater (King Cole yarn and pattern) and am sooo disappointed - only been washed once and it is 1/2 as big again as it started and pilled massively. I am now making the same sweater in a yarn by Mondial called Pronto. It is 100% acrylic and chunky but the ball band states "Antipilling". It is knitting up beautifully and feels totally different to the first one I made. I believe Mondial is an Italian company and so far I am very impressed. Hope this helps x

[@Sewn]

Oh no how disappointing after all your hard work! I'm sorry. Good luck wit your next knit x

[@addiekl]

The Strawberry Thief design is one of my favorites too. Check the Closet Case Patterns blog for a super chunky yarn discussion because Heather made that same sweater recently. I knitted the Kingston from the same collection but I am sure my yarn is going to pill too. It was so fun that it got me going on the sweater-knitting train too. Enjoy!

[@Sewn]

Thank you I will take a look! I always love Heather's makes. I think that super chunky weight patterns are perfect for getting started and I can work my way down to finer yarns :)

[@andreanneabel3464]

Very nice prints !

[@Sewn]

Thanks!

[@Hb02765]

My friend uses wool by deremore which doesn't pill. I think you can get it online.

[@Sewn]

Thank you, I will have a look

[@hdew2811]

Melly Sews (Blank Slate Patterns) has some very nice baby and children sewing patterns.

[@Sewn]

Thanks I will take a look :)

[@clumsycolours1677]

I'm trying to knit my first jumper but it's on hold for now because I don't understand what the pattern wants me to do, and I'm going to a sewing class so that I can make a quilt.

[@Sewn]

I would really suggest youtube tutorials for tricky knitting instructions- they have helped me out lots of times!

[@clumsycolours1677]

@@Sewn Thankyou who do you watch?

[@juliehale9491]

It sounds to me your ready to start making baby clothes for yourself you will make a great mum your sound like you love kids.

[@Sewn]

Aw thank you, definitely need a bigger flat first! :)

[@yomnam2510]

Do you have any pattern recommendations for the spring for beginners

[@Sewn]

Good question! I'd say the Dominique skirt by Tilly and the Buttons

[@ASHA_KNITTING]

🌺

[@faydiva8863]

Could you go to Mothercare and grab a top and clone it?

[@Sewn]

I would so love to be able to do this! I might do a course some time on cloning clothes.

[@francineflaks9621]

Why don't you use velcro instead of poppers?

[@Sewn]

Maybe, but I'm not sure how it would wash?

[@yomnam2510]

But more on the affordable cheap side

[@Sewn]

New Look patterns are very affordable and generally very simple shapes and cuts. Often on sale too and you can really get a bargain!

[@joymargot6600]

Yay! Thank you for the sticker shout out! Also, I get my William Morris furnishing fabrics from www.laurasbeau.co.uk - I think they're a bit cheaper. We have an insanely wide dining table and I have to make all our table cloths so this is my go to!

[@Sewn]

Any time girl! And thanks for the William Morris suggestion, I will take a look as I am a woman obsessed lol

[@amys377]

Hi Rosa, always enjoy your videos 😊 I'm really sorry I haven't made it to comment on instructions or drafting as yet, but there is an envelope tee option by 'Made By Jacks Mum': madebyjacksmum.com/shop/pick-n-mix-t-shirt/. This company has a range of patterns for babies

[@Sewn]

Thank you! I'll take a look :)