Replies

1. 
   starzoe | Jul 19, 2009 05:12am | #1

   Sew a basting line around the seamline of the curved piece and then clip close to it all along the curve. The curved edge will fan out as you sew the final seam. You might want to double up on the stitching if you are really close to the stitching.

   Sew with the curved piece on top, the flat piece on the bed of the machine.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/18/2009 10:33 pm ET by starzoe

1. 
   cookymom | Jul 19, 2009 04:55pm | #2

   Thank you for the tips. I will follow them today. Carol

2. 
   Teaf5 | Jul 20, 2009 07:29pm | #3

   I think the feed dogs are the culprits here--they pick up extra fabric in the bottom layer, especially on heavier, decorator fabrics.  Feed dogs can actually be used to slightly ease curved fabrics into a seam, but they can also cause unintended puckering. 

   If you are easing one slightly longer piece into a slightly shorter one, sew with the eased layer on the bottom and the flat layer on top.  If both layers are flat and the same length, you may have to lighten the pressure foot tension as far as you can or set it on "darning" or "0" and hold the in place fabric by hand to get a smooth seam.

3. 
   Josefly | Aug 04, 2009 01:45am | #4

   You've probably already solved this problem, but I wanted to add my 2-cents worth.

   Since you're trying to fit a straight edge to the curved edge, you must clip the seam allowance of the straight piece (after stay-stitching) - not the curved edge. The clipped straight edge can then spread open to conform to the outer curve of the end piece of your arm cover. After stitching, don't forget to cut small notches out of the seam allowance of the curved piece, so that the excess fabric can be turned inside smoothly.