Posted on 06/24/2014 12:05:52 PM PDT by Roos_Girl
Good afternoon everyone. I'm glad we had a bit of interest in a sewing thread. I'm looking forward to learning from you all! I got busy this past week and made the Little One a pair of shorts. Here is a picture:
I'm very please with how they turned out considering it was my first attempt at making clothing. So I'm going to make a few more pairs for him in the next size up. A friend who saw them asked if I would make a couple of pairs for her niece's son and I agreed to do that. I also got to work on modifying two different patterns for blouses for me; for my exact measurements, taste, etc. I decided to take my chances and ordered fabric online for a number of reasons, so I'm hoping that won't turn out to be a mistake.
Here's my question for the experienced seamstresses; it seemed like cutting the fabric around the pattern was not as easy as it should have been. I folded the fabric in half, pinned down the pattern to both layers and used (what I thought was a nice pair of gingher) fabric shears to cut. The pieces mostly matched up like they were supposed to. In your experience, what's the best way to lay out a pattern and cut fabric and have things turn out like you want them to?
Very nice! Next time try cargo pockets for a change of look.
Good suggestions about ironing the fabric and pattern too.
If the fabric is brushed or has a nap it may “slither” to the side and need to have each piece cut separately. ( remember to “flip the pattern for the second side!)
This works for matching stripes or patterns too. Put the arrows and the corners of the pattern on the matching fabric pattern and all will match well!
Sorry, I’ve never used a handheld sewing machine.
I don’t think a 2 year old in the odd orange shorts is such a horrible fashion faux pas, and whatever is not boyish enough about orange is more than made up for by the ROCKETS! :)
I actually told her I would charge her the cost of the fabric plus a small amount per pair. I appreciate your advice, I can see how freebies would turn into a nightmare.
I was hoping you had done just that.
Good for you.
I wasn’t very clear in my description on how I prepared up to the point of cutting the fabric. First of all, the pattern is a downloadable pattern, so if/when the paper becomes too ragged to use or when I need to go up to the next size all I have to do is print out a new pattern. I was thinking about that and wondering what people used to do in the “old days” of tissue patterns.
I used a 100% cotton “quilting” weight. I think maybe a discussion about materials might be one of our future topics! So I washed the material in cold water. Dried it. Ironed it. Folded it in half and pinned the pattern on. Since I haven’t done a lot of sewing I’m guessing that although my pins are probably a little less than 10 years old they’re still sharp. At least they go into my fingertips easy enough. Ouch! I hope it was correct to fold parallel to the selvage. The scissors I use are only ever used for fabric. They stay in a little sewing box I have. Now, that said, I noticed that they all of a sudden have a burr in them halfway up the blade. I have absolutely no idea how it would have gotten there except that at some point something other than fabric was cut, but it wasn’t by me. So I’m hoping that can be smoothed out by a good sharpening. Anyway, then I cut the fabric by letting most of the fabric & pattern sit on the table while I lifted just what I needed to to be able to cut. Like I said, it mostly worked out well, it just seemed a little cumbersome.
Thank you all for your input! Anyone else have any projects they have going on?
I sometimes trace patterns onto red dot paper. That way the edge never gets ragged, and I can modify the pattern as I go.
If u have trouble cutting them out I think the paper might be part of the problem. Just use lots of pins! My kids are now in their 40s, so tissue patterns were the only game in town back then.
Cowboy up!
For a utility hem on a cotton shirt, shorts, etc., the best bet is to iron it carefully into place and then stitch it.
By hand always looks best if you are a consistent, patient stitcher -- especially if there is a print and you can pick your way around the colors so your one color thread shows the least. If you want a machine stitch, a regular machine is best, unless you are really good with a hand-held.
LOL! I haven't explored the new fangled world of interweb patterns - the last pattern I bought was for my wedding dress! Since then, I mainly just do repairs or stuff I make up without a pattern (curtains, big tote bags for our beach chairs, toaster cover, etc). I'm excited to start making clothes again. First I have to buy a new machine...mine was acting funny so I had my mom check it out to see if it was worth repairing. She suggested I finally upgrade to something modern.
You are both wise not to allow friends to impose upon you more than you are willing.
Giving them the scraps in a plastic bag does seem to make them know you are not making money on their leftovers too!
Agree. Much easier.
Our high school had a seamstress completely abandon a full production project. She’d (the seamstress) left over 50 outfits incomplete.
Several sewing moms chipped in and (somehow) got all of the costumes sewn. I had to completely rip apart and resize several costumes. I hadn’t sewn since toddler Halloween costume days!
They managed to recruit me for a couple of the fall show costumes. That’s when I said...”that’s it!”. I sewed two 1920’s dresses and said, “No more!”
Every year, I and another mom hemmed and repaired the school band uniforms. Of course, the kids had outgrown the one they had the year before and there were never enough long legged or teeny waisted pants. Our kids’ senior year, we got new uniforms and nothing was hemmed. Not the pants, not the arms, nothing. And half the decorations had to be hand stitched on. Whew! Yeah, I made the mistake of hand stitching on our kids’ patches to their jackets so the lining wouldn’t be messed up and every other kid begged me to stitch their’s on, too. Talk about sore fingers! But I did it out of love and knew their parents wouldn’t do it for them. Heck, some parents couldn’t be bothered to get them patches they’d earned, but they magically got sewing on. Lil’ Missy made All State Band both years she tried out and won everything she ever entered so had patches covering the back, the front and down both sleeves.
Back in college, our one and only twirler would come to my dormroom and we’d rip apart her costumes every week so she’d have a different look for halftime. That was fun! Everyone thought she had a dozen costumes instead of just three.
Daughter showed up late Sunday so it was a major rush job to get the three panel drapes turned into two panels. It wasn’t the neatest work but it got done. She happened upon her old band jacket and took it with her.
Bump For Later...
Ouch....patches! I’ve sewn a few on, too. Mostly for Scouts. Finally, hubby started taking them to one of our cleaners. I know what you mean about not trying to sew through the lining....we didn’t have to worry about that, with the Scout patches.
Love the story about the band uniforms. Lots of love sewn into those legs, sleeves, etc. I bet your daughter has many great memories with her band jacket....and will with the curtains, too.
That’s what I love about sewing for someone....giving the gift of memories.
I finally gave up and got a new one. So happy! Here's a type that is affordable and good. There are lower, cheaper models but they just don't have enough power. This one is solid and can sew over lumps like jeans seams, etc. Just make sure you buy the CORRECT BOBBIN and insert it in the CORRECT DIRECTION. Otherwise, you'll go mad.
Singer 4452 or 4443 Heavy Duty
If you have a JoAnn store near you, ask to subscribe to their mail newsletter, or go online. Once in awhile they have sales on Singer. You can't use store coupons on sewing machines, but you can use them on bobbins. Bobbins come in packs of 6, 12 or 24.
Whatta mom! Awesome! I wouldn't trade one minute of my kids' growing years.
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