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: andreamlott
Date: 03-03-2005, 03:55 PM (1 of 10)
| Please help me! Let me preface this message by saying that I am such a beginner sewer that I had never even seen a sewing machine close up until recently. I taught myself to crochet, even made a little money doing it, and that gave me confidence to decide that sewing was worth a try. So, I bought a sewing machine, a few beginner patterns, and a book with lots of pictures and tried to teach myself. That has not worked out so well. I am working with Simplicity pattern 4740 to start my first project (an Apron "A"). I got the pattern pieces layed out, on the grain, and cut, but when I go to sew, I get stumped on step '1'. It says: "Press seam allowance at upper right edge of pocket to RIGHT side. Place bias tape on RIGHT side having pressed edges even. Stitch tape close to long edges". To me, this means measure out 5/8" and iron it over so that a little bit of the wrong side shows on the right side. Then sew the bias tape over where the wrong side is showing. This doesn't seem to work. Am I reading it wrong? Any help you can give to such a beginner would be appreciated! |
User: andreamlott
Member since: 03-03-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: DragonLady
Date: 03-03-2005, 07:28 PM (2 of 10)
|
I think you're reading it right. Is the pocket still flat -I mean, you haven't sewn it onto the apron yet, right?
"No more twist! No more twist!"
|
User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
|
From: andreamlott
Date: 03-03-2005, 08:01 PM (3 of 10)
| That's right - it's not yet sewn to the apron. The problem is that the wrong side then sorta "shows" underneath the bias tape. That is, the bias tape is not as wide as the seam allowance, if that makes any sense. |
User: andreamlott
Member since: 03-03-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: DragonLady
Date: 03-03-2005, 09:57 PM (4 of 10)
|
Yeah, I understand. The way I would do it is to sew the binding to the edge of the pocket, then press it to the right side so only the binding edge shows. Or, buy binding that's wide enough to completely cover the seam allowance, but that's kinda silly if you've already found stuff that looks good together. Pattern instructions aren't written in Greek, but they are very terse, and only give one way of doing things. You might want to invest a good general sewing book -Reader's Digest puts out a good one- that shows the different methods of using things like bias binding and seam tape for different effects. "No more twist! No more twist!"
|
User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152
|
From: toadusew
Date: 03-04-2005, 10:19 AM (5 of 10)
Sometimes I think the pattern companies need to try to follow their own instructions!  They instructions aren't always the best way to do something.I agree that buying some books might be helpful. The Reader's Digest book is "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing" --for some reason, that doesn't look quite right to me this morning, but it's close.  At any rate, there are instructions and illustrations on all kinds of sewing techniques in that book. I would also recommend taking some beginning sewing classes in your area, if they are offered. I watched lots of tv sewing shows while I was learning and those were very helpful. I think that Sandra Betzina offers some videos/DVD's of her techniques, and I believe that she is soon going to have some DVD's of her HGTV (no longer airing) show, "Sew Perfect". Her website will have more info.
|
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 03-04-2005, 11:11 AM (6 of 10)
|
I think it's a matter of finding patterns that match your experience level. After putting down sewing for a long time, and having grown up among professional seamstresses, I have the sewing jargon downpat, but I felt my skills were rusty. When I picked up a pattern for beginners, I found the instructions were very wordy, describing a procedure instead of calling it by the one-word name I was familiar with. Another brand would have writtem half the words and confused a different sewer for the opposite reason! I found most of my time was spent not sewing, but deciphering the lingo. I really had to read the whole pattern over a few times and hack my way through. It takes getting through a number of different projects to get comfortable with pattern jargon, but it'll come along. Good luck with your apron project!
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
|
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-04-2005, 02:11 PM (7 of 10)
|
Usually at the very beginning of the pattern instruction sheet they will define all of the symbols, state the seam allowances, etc. but it is mostly a matter of reading the entire pattern sheet from beginning to end. Pattern instructions are kinda like a legal contract, i.e., you have to read all of it, even the fine print and I know it's boring and time consuming but if you take the time to do that with each pattern, after a while, you only need to scan the beginning instructions and not be confused and befuddled by them. Learning to sew is like anything new that you're learning; you have to start at the very beginning and spend time learning and remembering the very basic fundamentals. Patsy Patsy
|
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: andreamlott
Date: 03-04-2005, 10:50 PM (8 of 10)
Thanks everyone! I will look into the Readers Digest Book. I have a book that has lots of pictures in it called "The Photographic book of Sewing" or something like that from Simplicity. I started sewing to save money, and the classes at Joann seem so expensive to me (at least, it's more than I can afford right now). I did though, find the name of a lady in my area who teaches classes at a local church not far from me and those classes are quite a bit more reasonable in price. It's interesting that you advise to read the entire pattern through in the beginning. I've read elsewhere on this forum other opinions that say that it is easy to get overwhelmed, and just take it one step at a time, which is the approach I have been taking. I just find that Step 1 has, what, at least three sentences???? IMHO, if it's a beginner pattern, Step 1 should have 1 sentence, and a picture. Step 2 is a new sentence, new thought. It seems like they crammed a lot into each step and then say something stupid like "sew an apron in only 5 easy steps!" - but only cuz each step is really 8 steps!  Anyway, thanks! Any more thoughts would be helpful. Please excuse the new girl and her uneducated questions! |
User: andreamlott
Member since: 03-03-2005 Total posts: 4 |
From: Woodsy
Date: 03-05-2005, 05:42 AM (9 of 10)
|
The directions make sense if you realize that this is not the only step you have to take - it is only step #1. It sounds like they are having you finish the top of the pocket first. If you read ahead just a wee way they will probably have you turn this section to the wrong side goving you a finished pocket across the top and 5/8" down the side. Most likely you will iron under the rest of the seam allowence around the pocket and then top-stitch it onto the apron. If something doesn't make sense (and this will happen a lot, at least to me) read ahead just a little bit. If it still doesn't make sense I try to follow the directions carefully but using big stitches that are easy to tear out. If everything works out okay ( and it usually does but not always) I go back and re-do it with regular size stitches. I know this is double work but it is always teaching me something so the next time is easier. I just glance through all the directions first to get an idea of where I am going. Then I read through the first 2 steps or so carefully, complete them, read the next 2, etc. Actually now I don't read the directions anymore too often unless I am making something with a little different look (or having a senior moment). You will get to that point too no doubt. |
User: Woodsy
Member since: 07-22-2001 Total posts: 19 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 03-05-2005, 03:01 PM (10 of 10)
|
Andra there are no uneducated questions when it comes to sewing. We all have questions from time to time no matter how long we've been sewing. What I meant by reading your pattern is when you first open your instruction sheets, there is usually a section labeled fabric cutting layouts which give illustrations of wright, wrong, shaded areas, shows illustrations for layouts and the symbols, etc. There is also usually a section labeled Sewing Information that states the seam allowances, and has a Glossary of terms used in the sewing instructions. I don't usually sit down and read each step of the sewing instructions before hand either but I do take the time to check out the areas that state seam allowances, etc. Keep asking any questions you have and you will more than likely get several different answers for different styles and preferences in sewing. Patsy Patsy
|
User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
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-15223.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft