Tuesday 5 July 2016

Scuba Doo

Recently I paid an impromptu visit to Walthamstow Market to meet a small posse of lovely sewing pals. I've only been to Walthamstow once before (it takes a lot to lure me east) and although I bought some weird and wonderful notions that time - red interfacing, polka dot elastic and lace trim - I didn't pick up any memorable fabric. On this recent trip, most of the fabric shopping had been done by the time I got there, but everyone was happy enough to make a return trip to TMOS (The Man Outside Sainsbury's) to humour me. 

Ah The Man Outside Sainsbury's - what a charmer! I swear he was flirting with me, and if I wasn't already married, I'd probably have asked him out... Before I knew it I'd bought two metres of peculiar looking fabric from my new boyfriend.


It's a flesh coloured scuba (or neoprene?) with a layer of black lace attached. The flesh coloured fabric is a bit sinister looking on its own (think industrial strength support knickers) but is transformed by the lovely, delicate lace layer. In the photo below you can see the two layers attached in more detail - there's quite a sizeable selvedge area at each side.


It wasn't just the charms of TMOS that lured me down this path, there is actually some method to my madness! Ever since I saw Karen's beautiful red lace dress I've been wanting to make a version of my own. I have the pattern picked out - Simplicity 1249 - and I've even purchased a Craftsy course to learn all I can about working with lace. But then this scuba upstart made an appearance and all my careful plans went out of the window. Making a lace dress would typically involve underlining the lace pieces, sewing a separate lining or both. Using my new fabric to make a lace dress would involve sewing the pieces together - and that's it. 

I still fully intend to make a properly constructed lace dress and learn the appropriate skills, but I'm also lazy! What I'm going to do is make a dress from the rogue scuba fabric as an experiment - if it all goes horribly wrong then I'll hardly have wasted any money (£4 a metre to be precise). It could look form fitting and classy and a lot more expensive than it actually is. Then again, it could end up looking like something a lady of the night might wear... I just need to dive in!

My next step is to research tips for sewing with scuba knit. So if you've sewn with this fabric before and have any wisdom to share I'd be very grateful. Thank you friends!
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17 comments:

  1. Only thing I'd be wary of is the sweat factor....

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    1. With the summer we've been having it's hardly a consideration! Seriously though, this was always going to be an autumn project so should be fine. Thanks! x

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  2. Wow what a fabric find. I don't usually care for scuba fabric but the lace makes it look really nice. Can't wait to see how your final dress comes out.

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    1. No, I don't usually go for scuba either, but this one lured me in for some reason! x

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  3. I have made a long black dress with scuba jersey, I found it really quite easy. Better than 'normal' jersey. But I also had my mum helping me! Though my sister thinks I made a gimp outfit. I didn't.

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    1. Haha! Hopefully it won't turn out too gimp like! Good to know it's easy to sew with, thanks. x

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  4. I think you will find scuba is very easy to sew. Think ponte. However, I don't know how the lace will affect that, if at all. As to the lazy factor, we could churn butter, too, but why? If I found some of this fabric, I would snatch it up in an instant.

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    1. Yep you're right, I'm glad I snapped it up! The lace is the bit that slightly worries me too - I'll just have to hope for the best! x

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  5. My normal machine struggled a bit with scuba, I tried with different needles but it kept missing stitches but if you have an overlocker & are brave enough to sew with it (as opposed to just finishing your seams) you'll find scuba really fast & easy to sew with and it doesn't fray. I used a pattern for woven fabric & went down a size & omitted the zip, so a real time saver.

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    1. I do have an overlocker and definitely intend to use it with this fabric, hoorah! x

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  6. Ahhh, the famous (or infamous?) TMOS! Walthamstow is definitely on my list next time we visit beautiful Britain...for the fabric you understand, not to stalk TMOS! Hehe Enjoy sewing this "scuba upstart" (made me giggle). I've not used it myself (I'm on the coast near Brisbane - think "linen") but do you think it should handle similar to Ponte? You'll master it beautifully Jane, of that I'm sure. Best, Kathy.

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  7. All the scuba garments I've seen have full skirts - probably because that's what scuba does best. A full skirt would also definitely avoid the 'lady of the night' look :-)

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  8. I've never used scuba fabric, what a different take on it. I'm fascinated to see what you come up with!

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  9. Never sewn with it but check out Catherine Daze's sewing blog. https://blog.cyberdaze.org/ She has made a few items out of scuba/neoprene fabric. Main thing I can remember is don't fold the fabric because it will crease.

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  10. Fabric shopping is the best! I can't even imagine sewing with scuba fabric so good luck with it, I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with! XxxX

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  11. I can't wait to see what you make, it has the potential to be fabulous. We don't have a TMOS here I'm a little jealous!

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  12. Amazing :) Good job !

    Jillian - www.cupofcharisma.com

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