To all you sewing lot...

@ Casp - nice hat! I'm going to have a go at copying one I picked up in Camden, will butcher it to get a pattern to make to match the cape.

So ... the cape is nearly done. Just the hem to finish - will see if I can make it longer at the back so it suits cycling better. Might need also to elongate the armholes if it turns out too restrictive. I also made matching culottes yesterday! First proper sewing I've done in about ten years, really enjoying it!!

epic buttons!

Hello all. Capes and caps all looking rather good. A great deal better than some of the shockingly bad stuff that appears on trackosaurus and the likes now and then.

I'm thinking of doing some kind of jersey fairly soon. Well, by fairly soon I mean June, when I finish my highly valuable and useful degree.

@ longandwinding Dude that cape rocks! it looks so good and +1 to what wooodrow said.

Excellent cape and buttons! Am very jealous of your skills.
I'm on my 3rd sewing machine and still failing epically. 1st one = 30 years old, didn't work too well. 2nd one, mates which apparently never worked worked (she tells me 6 hours later) and now the one I bought from the forum isn't back stitching.
I'm clearly not cut out for this.

that is a lovely cape and i like the little storm flap on the collar that will come handy. well done.
you seserve all the props your getting. is it lined or do you have plans to line it?

Cheers chaps :-) I made a matching hat yesterday ... a lot trickier than I thought it would be, basically deconstructed one that I bought in Camden, and replaced the fabric to match the cape.

@coppi - It is lined, with a turquoise lining - had to work it out myself as the pattern wasn't for a lined cape ...

very good. i thought of you this morning as i found a cape while hunting. "very longandwinding" i thought to myself.

What with no money, and trying to find something to occupy my mind I endeavered to go and make myself a DIY Cotton Racing Cap! Lets get things straight here, "I HAVE NO SEWING MACHINE!". This has got to be the most time consuming project that I have endured in like... EVER! An old pair of ladies trousers, a shirt, a totally destroyed Knog Cap and 10 hours or so later, this is my final result:

What dya think?

This pic is from a week ago. Yesterday/ this evening I made my 3 year old son a denim one... Will try it on him and post a picture of it tomorrow...

Very good.

(though for full marks you should be aligning the checks on the 1st one)

Hahah, yeah I know. Just sort of jumped in with a needle and thread. Expected it to be a bit of an abortion!

Got a machine for sale if anyone's interested:

http://www.lfgss.com/thread43498.html

I'm looking for a pattern for a cycling jacket (how hard can it be? :) ) Any one seen anything around the internet?

Made a gas tank bag for my road bike. Not been on the machine much but thought i would have a bash, my the zips did my head in a little.

More pics here! http://www.jamiemyers.co.uk/Blog/welcome/Entries/2010/5/23_Gas_Tank_Bag.html

casp...

will be nice to see it in place on the bike

@Casp - That's really sweet ... I have my next project being formulated, a waist bag - slightly bigger than those I've seen around. Design has been drawn out and I've got some water resistant canvas ... just need the time!

thanks! if your bag turns out anything like your cape, it will be the nuts! cant wait to see it, do post it up.

J...

Lets pretend that I my friend is totally clueless about how to use their new sewing machine. It comes with the bobbin already threaded through, but still need to buy a reel of thread. Does it matter which size/type, or will whatever Tesco have on offer be ok?

any thread will be fine. gutermamn is good though(t)

Different threads for different circumstances, but I'd say you'd want the same thread that's in the bobbin else they'll look different. Perhaps ditch the thread in the bobbin and put in the new thread.
If you haven't wound a bobbin:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbTPX14KQ_k&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube-
Crafty Bitches Bobbins[/ame]

I mostly use polyester thread. Sainsbury's have a decent ish selection actually.

Yeah i use Saisbury's extra strong thread. Was about £3 for 1000 meters. This makes up for the knackered sewing machine that just snaps the tread halfway through each piece.

Are there any Pattern Graders out there? Pls PM.