Sewing a seam across the middle of a piece
This is hard to put into words, and it appears that is something that is rarely necessary when sewing a garment, but it does come into play when sewing a bag.
I am sewing a backpack. I am sewing a smaller curved compartment to the front of the main compartment, right sides together and this means that where this smaller compartment attaches to the main compartment that I cant just line up two seams like when you sew most seams. I have to draw a curved stitching line onto the main compartment. Then when I pin or baste it on to the main compartment I have to pin match very tediously all the way down the drawn seam line. I get the outcome I desire but it seems like there must be some trick to make it easier. Does anyone have experience with this? I’m sure they don’t have to pin match for an hour along the seam line before they sew this sort of seam in a factory. I hope I have described what I’m trying to do slightly clearer than mud.
Thanks,
Sun
Replies
I'm thinking about double sided tape that you use for sewing. Everything will lie flat and you don't have to manipulate pinning. I suppost another idea is to do this piece prior to sewing the entire bag together.
I would guess that they do a thousand of them in a factory and figure out how to do it with practice and without pinning. I agree that you should do this as early in the process as possible. I would draw the stitching line on one and stay stitch the one on top so I had a line to follow and it would not tend to stretch out of shape.
preparation for sewing.
I agree with sue as well. I'd use double sided tape to secure the piece. pinning could be complicated because there is going to be bulkiness and folds. I recall doing something sounding similar and rather than drawing the markings, i sew on the markings with the sewing machine. the sewing line represent s your drawing line at the outer edge of the piece you wish to sew on, or it could represent the location your piece will be placed over. I've done this method a lot because it is quicker and if the thread color corresponds, the thread would not need to be removed and would act as reinforcement.
Thanks, I like the stay stitching idea for marking. : )
Baste it
I think everyone has good input here. Another thought is if you don't have double sided tape, just do a quick basting stitch by hand. Then it stays in place as you want it, no pinning needed, and your pieces will lie much flatter while you sew --- which means better results. Also, I like to baste with contrasting color thread so it's easy to spot and remove when you're done. Good luck!
more ideas
I agree and I really luv everybodys input. I think this site is very friendly. To make my life easier, I machine base with matching color so I don't have the added chore to remove the thread unless I feel like it . Ithis method also adds extra reinforcement to the item. I find this method very time manageable and less expensive unless you already own extra color thread. I live in a small space and I also find it helpful to construct all the main pieces prior to attaching them together. So I dont necessarily follow along the pattern guidelines, and this allows for a more organized storage space until I have time to return to that project.
Forming a pocket
It may help to preform the pocket by stay-stitching the seam line, pressing it under and then holding the seam allowance in place with iron-on adhesive or basting glue.
If you choose to use the iron-on adhesive, be sure to let it throughly cool before handling or your hard work could slip out of place.
When I work with adhesives I use a tiny bead of Sewer's Aid along the seam line to help prevent the needle and thread from gumming. Test this product on a scrap of the project fabric before using just to be sure it does not spot the fabric.
oops - double post!
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