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: Hockeymum
Date: 09-18-2004, 09:32 PM (1 of 10)
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Just wanted to ask... 1) How many of you actually pin and baste your seams before sewing?? 2) How do you finish off your seams? I picked up some new fabric today, and the lady in the shop was very, very helpful. She told me once I had washed the fabric, dried it in the tumble dryer, and cut it out - to zig-zag all around the edge of each piece before sewing it together. It stops it fraying and neaten your seams right away. I thought that was really neat. Anne |
User: Hockeymum
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 19 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-18-2004, 11:49 PM (2 of 10)
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I pin everything...rarely baste. I finish my material with the serger before I sew.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: blackie
Date: 09-19-2004, 02:02 AM (3 of 10)
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I can often get away without pinning or basting, but if the seams are complicated or if you need precision (like matching up points for quilting), it is almost always worth it to take the extra time to pin or baste. I mostly quilt (no finishing needed), but I also sew children's clothes... in which case I often zig zag finish. I have a serger a friend has loaned me indefinitely, but I can't seem to get the tension right (even after following the manual's instructions). see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 09-19-2004, 09:03 AM (4 of 10)
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I usually pin but with some fabric have hand basted. I used to zig zag around the edges of cut pieces with heavy fabrics that ravel, such as corduroy. Now I encase all my seams so it isn't necessary. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Mischka
Date: 09-19-2004, 01:56 PM (5 of 10)
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Lately I've been working with a plaid fabric that kinda slides on itself, so I've been pinning like crazy, then hand basting to make sure the plaid patterns will match right when I machine stitch. Putting my skirt into the waistband, I even used some double-sided basting tape to hold it there cause it wanted to slide out! A lady at the fabric store told me to rub the fabric against itself and see how likely to slide around it is, then pin and baste more or less accordingly. So far that's worked pretty well for me. |
User: Mischka
Member since: 09-01-2004 Total posts: 63 |
From: Magot
Date: 09-19-2004, 02:53 PM (6 of 10)
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I'm a zig zag the edges girl myself. I tend to pin and only tack for what I call tricky bits - pleats, zips, armholes etc. That is on clothes, on quilts I occasionally pin but more so I can get things in the right order and don't get confused. I tack the entire quilt all over when sandwiching the whole thing together. I start in the middle and take HUGE tacking stitches all over in parallel lines about 6-9 inches apart. We had a dragon of a domestic science teacher who would never let us approach any of her sewing macines with a pin anywhere about your person. People had died for less. Or so we thought. It took me 20 years before I stopped feeling guilty that I hadn't tacked something. I still hide the pins when sewing so no one will see them next to the machine...sheesh. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: MartySews
Date: 09-19-2004, 07:44 PM (7 of 10)
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I baste when necessary and pin sporadically. I'm primarily a dressmaker and have developed my own system (as most of us do). I do wash and dry the fabric before cutting out the pattern. All of my seams are either pinked or finished on my serger. Sometimes I use my serger to make the entire garment. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: Yayamamamex
Date: 09-20-2004, 04:28 PM (8 of 10)
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Never baste seams, but pin occasionally for the long seams to keep in on target. For slippery stuff, guess what!!!! Use a glue stick. It washes out and saves wear and tear on your curseword vocabulary! LOL I don't finish off the seams. Too lazy. Marti in Mexico |
User: Yayamamamex
Member since: 05-25-2003 Total posts: 20 |
From: Magot
Date: 09-20-2004, 05:33 PM (9 of 10)
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Marti, I can hear Miss Healing spinning in her grave! I'm sure she looks over my shoulder when I have pins at the machine!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: MaryW
Date: 09-20-2004, 05:47 PM (10 of 10)
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I never pin or baste unless it is a very difficult fabric. I like to serge edges. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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