Hey everybody. As I was lying awake in bed last night I got the idea for a book about the kind of tips that make sewing a pattern easier but that you don’t get from the pattern companies. For example that you should fuse the interfacing to the fabric before cutting out very small pieces like a collar. If you all have a favorite would you send them to me and I will compile them. Thanks so much.
Terry
Threads Insider
Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.
Start Your Free TrialAlready an Insider? Log in
Sponsored Content
Replies
You could always include a tip about cutting notches out rather than into the seam allowance. That way, if the garment is too small you still have a bit of room to play.
Nicole
I do that too. I will include that one for sure. Any others?
I ALWAYS fuse before cutting.....that way you never have shrinkage problems. Block fusing is the technical term. Fuse your interfacing to a length of fabric and then cut all your interfaced pieces. Saves time, too, since you don't have to try to line up all those cut edges.
Another good tip which most people don't know about is to understitch facings before pressing (you trim if necessary first and clip your seam allowance). Then when you go to the iron, the seam almost automatically rolls to the underside.
These are just spur of the moment....I'm sure I could come up with many others.
Sandy
I'm curious, you say you are compiling ideas for a book but have you ever written a book before? Have you spoken to a publisher to see if your book idea is marketable? Will you give credit to the people whose tips you use in your book?
No I have never written a book before or spoken to a publisher but I figured that I would self publish more of a booklet type of thing. I have seen people like Nancy Zieman and Cynthia Guffee do this kind of thing all of the time. Of course I would give everyone who contributes credit. I am thinking like those church fundraiser type cookbooks. What do you think?
I think I would recommend a home-made ironing board for anyone who sews on a regular basis. I think there was a note or an article in Threads about this. It is a such a simple thing to cover a large piece of plywood with two cheap, second-hand blankets, and it saves so much time and aggravation when a person has to do a lot of pressing while sewing. I don't know what I did without it.
ST
This post is archived.