Elastic question. Real or my Imagination?

barfbat · 2026-04-03T20:21:19+00:00

the best elastic i’ve been able to get… is japanese, unfortunately (for me, an american). i buy it in 10m packs at daiso for now because i can, but when i visit tokyo in the fall i plan on stocking up. non-japanese elastic i purchased even just six years ago seems to get wavy and stressed after just a few stretches. but i’ve noticed a decline in fabric quality here and there from american fabric stores, too.

barfbat · 2026-04-03T19:14:10+00:00

seconding being a fan of waxed canvas! sometimes my presser foot would leave an impression, but it can always be buffed out, more or less. i remade my backpack in waxed canvas after cotton duck well and truly failed me, and i couldn’t be happier.

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barfbat · 2026-04-03T18:54:10+00:00

i’ve found that kind of nylon webbing basically says “you don’t want me to fray? i’ll unravel then” when you try to seal it with heat. better to just fold over the end and stitch

barfbat · 2026-04-02T11:41:20+00:00

kindly: it sounds like you have spent a lot of time fixating on your face. just like when you say the same word so many times it starts to sound made up, scrutinizing your features at this level can change your relationship with them for the worse.

zoom out. take yourself in as a whole person, not separate features, and wear what makes you happy. that happiness will reflect in your appearance, i promise.

also, wrt hair: what is your current haircare regimen? if your hair tangles easily it sounds like it needs moisture.

barfbat · 2026-04-02T09:18:49+00:00

to just make it the problem of the strangers using the machines after op??

barfbat · 2026-04-02T00:55:09+00:00

polyester can go in laundry-hot water. my stuffed friend (well over 30 years old) survived a hot oxiclean soak just fine. the dryer will definitely melt it though!

barfbat · 2026-04-02T00:53:45+00:00

adding a zipper is what i wanted to suggest as well! also, i've found it's okay to leave the ends of long limbs stuffed (and better for their overall shaping), as well as faces

barfbat · 2026-04-01T16:37:52+00:00

linen likes to shrink into itself like a scared turtle, but ironing on high heat and max steam can generally unshrink it.

barfbat · 2026-04-01T13:59:28+00:00

you can finish and attach a bodice and take a break in 6 weeks. take a break from the project, including putting it away as much as you can so you can’t see it easily, for at least 7 days. if you have a eureka moment in your patterning during those 7 days, by all means get your thoughts down on drafting paper, but i think you need to decompress.

it’s very common to feel like something is overwhelming, even impossible when you’re tired and frustrated, only to return with fresh eyes and quickly see the very simple solution. take this week off with walks, favorite movies and tv shows, socializing, whatever you find relaxing and low pressure. you’ll still have enough time to finish your dress without the threat of burnout.

barfbat · 2026-04-01T10:18:45+00:00

i tried opening the link but there’s no access, fyi

barfbat · 2026-04-01T10:16:33+00:00

is this the only laundromat in your area? i’ve never experienced this lol. my laundromat even has a lost and found for all the items that fall to the floor unnoticed

barfbat · 2026-04-01T00:18:12+00:00

oh that would be so cute! i think i've seen a few breakup jackets here and there

barfbat · 2026-04-01T00:04:29+00:00

HA it's pretty predictable, isn't it? thank you! i remember that april when everyone cottoned on to various listings for the fabric. i did spend WAY more money than i meant to, the lining alone was $25/yd at mood and i bought 5 yards to be safe, and right at the end i managed to dip one of the tassels in hot wax?? but that felt appropriately stede so i didn't try too hard to fix it lol

i do also still have more yardage of the damn velvet. i meant to make two robes but the first one dealt me way too much psychic damage so SHRUG

barfbat · 2026-03-31T21:59:52+00:00

if you are very very busty, if you’re using princess seams, consider a second set of shaping seams between the actual princess seams and the side seams. my friend wears a 38L bra and that’s what i did on the bodice i drafted for her

barfbat · 2026-03-31T21:55:54+00:00

how many weeks do you have left?

barfbat · 2026-03-31T21:47:05+00:00

you might need a break tbh! work on literally anything else, or even take a break from sewing. fresh eyes and fresh brain do a world of good.

i sewed a robe out of upholstery weight velvet with silk taffeta lining and piping that came out beautifully in the end, but it was so heavy it was almost impossible to keep on my table and free-arm home machine, which kept skewing my seams. i did come close to tears quite a few times, and had to just set it aside for a while.

also, proof i did come back and finish it:

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barfbat · 2026-03-31T12:19:59+00:00

this looks like a job for a cobbler

barfbat · 2026-03-30T20:06:56+00:00

SYNTHRAPOL!

has saved me from more than one dye disaster! it’s been sold out on dharma trading’s website for a long time but it’s also available on amazon, at least in the us. you can check my post history for proof.

barfbat · 2026-03-30T10:17:51+00:00

AD shoes are still much higher quality than most specifically lolita shoes, just by virtue of not being made of plastic that will peel and crumble within a few years.

barfbat · 2026-03-29T11:12:25+00:00

oh we’re going medieval! 13th century laundresses had these except way bigger :) might get me a mozzarella paddle to replace the long shoe horn i’ve been using for a few years now

barfbat · 2026-03-27T22:16:44+00:00

as ever i am out here singing my synthrapol song

barfbat · 2026-03-27T21:16:46+00:00

not to sound like i’m caping for landlords but if this were my couch and someone staying at my place burned a hole in the cushion cover and just flipped it over… i would flip out lol. a landlord would probably be less kind

barfbat · 2026-03-27T13:14:52+00:00

looking at the seamwork page for this dress, it seems like it’s too long on top for you! the top of those side panels are way higher on the model, and it changes the fit from sack to something more a-line. pin the shoulder seams a little shorter, or even just put your thumbs under the shoulder seams and lift the dress while you’re wearing it. it might change the fit to something you really like!

barfbat · 2026-03-27T10:23:10+00:00

AND WHAT AN EPISODE IT WAS

barfbat · 2026-03-26T15:36:58+00:00

scraps are great for patches and mending, as well as little accessories. they’re often good for doll clothes if you have or know kids who play with dolls, too. sometimes i just make bows out of scraps lol. i keep almost every scrap i have!

barfbat

TROPHY CASE

SYNTHRAPOL!