Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Debzy
Date: 10-09-2003, 07:46 AM (1 of 19)
but i really find it a pain at times. like, i just got all my bits together, ready to cut out a jacket (new look 6168 (http://simplicity.com/s2c.htm)) and i realised that i hadn't pre washed the fabric or anything... so i just steamed it and hoped for the best  i guess it's just my impatience. i want to get started on a project straight away, not 'waste time' washing, pre-shrinking etc... (y'know, i'm due to paint my bedroom anytime soon too, and i just know all the paintwork washing and filling in cracks is going to drive me crazy lol) so i was wondering... what's your least favourite part of sewing? |
User: Debzy
Member since: 06-02-2003 Total posts: 71 |
From: Dede
Date: 10-09-2003, 08:28 AM (2 of 19)
| I'd have to say the prep work. I really don't like the pinning and marking part of the whole process. All my fabrics are washed as soon as they make it home from the store. |
User: Dede
Member since: 03-23-2001 Total posts: 469 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 10-09-2003, 10:31 AM (3 of 19)
|
I wash my fabrics as soon as I come home so that isn't a problem for me. I hate to pin and cut. DD has been pinning and cutting lately for me since most of it is for the grands anyways. She doesn't like sewing so together we are a team.
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: chiloGod
Date: 10-09-2003, 10:42 AM (4 of 19)
| I have to agree with the others, the pinning and cutting. I love to sew, but when it comes to that part I'm just ready to get it over with. |
User: chiloGod
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 65 
|
From: lovemyfabric
Date: 10-09-2003, 10:52 AM (5 of 19)
| I don't like altering the pattern and getting it ready to cut out. I also hate when I try a new pattern and it doesn't turn out like I hoped it would. |
User: lovemyfabric
Member since: 06-06-2003 Total posts: 126 
|
From: Aimee S
Date: 10-09-2003, 11:31 AM (6 of 19)
|
I agree I wash as soon as it hits the door. I fact to come in I have to pass the laundry so I leave it there. I dont use pins I use weights but I hate the cutting out and the pressing after the pre wash....
The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
|
From: Debzy
Date: 10-09-2003, 12:19 PM (7 of 19)
|
looks like i'm going have to get in the habit of washing straight away! sewinggrandma, you're so lucky to have your little helper! no-one in my family sews so i wouldn't trust them to do it right lol!! |
User: Debzy
Member since: 06-02-2003 Total posts: 71 |
From: El Pea
Date: 10-09-2003, 07:01 PM (8 of 19)
|
I use to hate pinning until I made myself a cut and press board. I have a huge piece of 3/4"plywood about 55" x 33". On it I first layered some 100% wool purchased from the Army Surplus store. Then is a layer of 100% cotton batting. Then a layer of 100% cotton muslin. Over the whole thing, I "make-a-bed" with a white sheet that can be easily removed for washing and then easily put back on again. I push the pins directly into the pad when I am pinning now instead of weaving them through the cloth. Sometimes I can use weights to hold the pattern. I can also use my steam iron on this cut and press board. I use a pair of Fiskars Easy grip scissors because they have a flat blade that lays flat and has a bent handle. When I need to rotary cut, I pull out my cutting surface that is also huge. When I need to use cardboard for pattern alteration work, I pull out my huge piece of cardboard. It is a multi action station. El Pea
|
User: El Pea
Member since: 06-01-2001 Total posts: 12 |
From: maps
Date: 10-10-2003, 07:13 AM (9 of 19)
|
i have to agree with aimee on the pressing after pre washing!!! i absolutly hate that, i bought the big fat ironing board at wal mart thinking that might help but, it didn't. i prewash everything as it comes thru the door or it doesn't make it to my shelves of fabric. when it comes to cutting out pattern, i use weights then take my medium size cutting mat and the smallest rotery cutter and just slide the mat around the edge of the patttern and cut as i slide the mat, i just started doing this about a month ago and i really like how fast it goes, the only thing i learned about doing this is keep the weights close to the edge of the pattern while leaving room for the mat to slide in under the pattern a couple inches. sometimes adjusting the weights closer together helps keep the material from sliding.
Marge
|
User: maps
Member since: 06-18-2003 Total posts: 152 
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-10-2003, 08:14 AM (10 of 19)
|
I don't like cutting out the fabric. When I used the small round kitchen table and scissors, whenever I had to cut I would consider giving up sewing for good . I have a bad back and the cutting meant days of pain. But now I have a very high -- 4-5 inches above my waist -- 51 by 28 inch cutting table and use a rotary cutter. I don't mind cutting near so much. Since I lean toward simple styles I can whip most thins out quick rather than take all day bent over like in the past. The table is one of those cardboard things. It was outrageously expensive for cardboard and ridiculously cheap for the relief it brought. And it is holding up surprisingly well for cardboard. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-10-2003, 08:37 AM (11 of 19)
Dorothy, I have seen those tables. I thought they were really expensive too but if they bring you more sewing joy, they are sure worth every penny.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: El Pea
Date: 10-10-2003, 04:52 PM (12 of 19)
|
Yes, those cardboard tables are what I have. I purchased mine from Sew/ Fit Company out of Bedford Park, Illinois. I have several tables now and when I need to do a formal dress I can line them up and get the whole amount of fabric stretched out so that none is hanging over the end. That is so nice. I am going to exchange the cardboard "legs" with plywood ones because I got one of them wet with overflow from the air conditioner and it got weak. El Pea
|
User: El Pea
Member since: 06-01-2001 Total posts: 12 |
From: El Pea
Date: 10-10-2003, 04:55 PM (13 of 19)
|
Maps, I like that cutting board idea!!! I do something similar with the tracing wheel and a (I use) a manilla folder to be able to press on. I never thought of rotary cutting that way. Great idea!! Gotta try that. El Pea
|
User: El Pea
Member since: 06-01-2001 Total posts: 12 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 10-10-2003, 09:14 PM (14 of 19)
|
Debzy my little helper just turned 32. What she is cutting out for me is for her children.
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: emermuffin
Date: 10-10-2003, 10:27 PM (15 of 19)
|
I trace all my patterns from the originals, cut them, alter them (REALLY HATE ALTERING!), then pin, and finally cut. It is the most tedious part of sewing and it puts me off. If my toddler is visiting one of her grandmothers, I will use a whole day just to do all that prep work so I can enjoy sewing it all later! I rush through it and make silly mistakes. But that prep work is really helping me exercise my patience. I so tired of being disappointed with the results after all that work. I'm trying to slow it down and pay attention to the task at hand. What works for me now when facing all the not-so-fun stuff is to focus and do the best I can with it. Taking time with the boring details will help me be a better sewist and happy with the projects I work on. All that patience doesn't mean I like it though! emermuffin
|
User: emermuffin
Member since: 03-29-2003 Total posts: 55 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 10-11-2003, 11:13 AM (16 of 19)
|
I noticed a lot of you like to wash your fabric as soon as you walk in the door. I just wanted to add that if you are planning to store your fabric for any length of time this is not a good idea. When they manufacture fabric there is a special coating that they put on the fabric to deter bugs, mildew, etc. My least favorite thing is cutting. I have no space to lay out my fabric except the floor and with four kids running around that can be quite a challenge. Gina Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Debzy
Date: 10-11-2003, 03:03 PM (17 of 19)
|
Originally posted by emermuffin I trace all my patterns from the originals, cut them, alter them (REALLY HATE ALTERING!), then pin, and finally cut. It is the most tedious part of sewing and it puts me off. oh, i hate tracing from the originals! i do it too sometimes but it's just so tedious... |
User: Debzy
Member since: 06-02-2003 Total posts: 71 |
From: mamagoose
Date: 10-11-2003, 10:04 PM (18 of 19)
|
My least favorite... Taking anything out! I like going forward, not backward. I must make one of those plywood press boards. My plain old metal one "gives". Someday I suppose I'll get one of those fancy heavy irons too. Actually, when I use my antique, wood ironing board and cast iron iron in the winter time, I get nicer results, but I have to use a damp press cloth and that takes extra time. (We use solar electricity and so there's less power for watt-guzzlers like an iron when the days are shorter. I have an antique board "on display" in the laundry room on the first floor and the modern version is kept in the bedroom closet upstairs.) Happy sewing! |
User: mamagoose
Member since: 01-26-2002 Total posts: 168 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-12-2003, 08:31 AM (19 of 19)
|
My mother had one of those old wooden boards. It had more pieces than most jigsaw puzzles. My brother used to say we would find Mom hanging from the underneath of it one day. It worked fine, I wish I had it with me some days. My modern one is light as a feather and will tilt if you look at it the wrong way.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-11096.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft