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From: debsews
Date: 11-20-2005, 07:34 AM (1 of 14)
| I bought some really pretty fabric off the famous $1 table at WalMart. I want to make a dress for DGD but I can't tell the wrong side from the right side of the fabric. When I cut it I'm afraid I will sew it together wrong and it will be apparent to everyone but me. So my question is how do you tell and how could I mark it once I determine which is the right side? It's a lavendar with a sudtle stripe and it feels a little like a taffeta. Of course there wasn't a label on it. They all say unknown fiber content. I suppose I should wash it in cold water to see what will happen to it before I sew it up. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 11-20-2005, 09:11 AM (2 of 14)
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You should wash it. Then which ever side you decide is right is the right side. Just be sure you are consistent after you decide. I usually put a little water erasable ink or chalk mark in the upper right seam allowance of each piece when there is any question. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 11-20-2005, 01:25 PM (3 of 14)
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I was shopping for shirting yesterday with DH. He found a piece of fabric that he really liked. He didn't realize he was looking at the wrong side, gray with pinstriping. When I showed him the right side, black, he didn't like it. I told him I didn't have to sew it right side out, but he didn't want it because he said it would look stupid with the black on the inside. I tried to convince him other wise but he is stubborn, more so than me! I generally use what ever side I like best. When I do have a piece of fabric that both sides are too close to call. I'll generally put an X on the side that I think is the wrong side with chalk so I'll have all the same sides together just in case someone else can tell the difference. Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-20-2005, 03:40 PM (4 of 14)
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First of all, there are fabrics that can be reversed. Many people buy crepe backed satin or shantung which have recoginizable differences and they use either side. Some patterns even call for you to use the backside of one fabric for the body of the garment and reverse to the other side for lapels. You can go nuts trying to figure out the right side of some fabrics. So what do you do? You choose the right side. Only a handful of people would know the difference anyway and they'd better not even think of correcting you. If you call it the right side, it is!!! 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: debsews
Date: 11-20-2005, 05:18 PM (5 of 14)
| Thanks. I've washed it and it came out really nice. I laid it out on the cutting table and I swear I don't see any difference but I'm going to do the marking just so I sew it all on the same side. If I ever get dh to help me with the pictures I'll show you how it came out. |
User: debsews
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 254 |
From: sewingdiva
Date: 11-20-2005, 11:43 PM (6 of 14)
|
Here's a suggestion to try: bring along a permanent fabric marker with you to the store. You can always tell the right side of the fabric when it is on the bolt - and the salesperson will fold it with the right side out. So, right after you buy it, mark one or both selvedges with a permanent fabric marker ( you could use an R for the right side). That way - it will still be there even if you pre-wash 
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User: sewingdiva
Member since: 10-23-2005 Total posts: 22 |
From: Catalina
Date: 11-21-2005, 04:59 AM (7 of 14)
I use little stickers to mark my fabric. 
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User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-21-2005, 06:56 AM (8 of 14)
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I've bought a lot of fabric that was folded on the bolt with the wrong side out. I wouldn't count on it being correct off the bolt.
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: DorothyL
Date: 11-21-2005, 07:30 AM (9 of 14)
|
I wouldn't count on the sales people knowing either. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 11-21-2005, 09:10 AM (10 of 14)
|
Isn't that the truth!
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 11-21-2005, 04:22 PM (11 of 14)
|
Sometimes you can tell by the selvege....if the selvege is ROUGH on one side, thats the WRONG side. If it's smooth, it's the RIGHT side. (usually you can tell ON the fabric by running your hand across it. If it's ROUGH it's wrong, smooth it's right.) If not, take it out in the sun. One side might br a different color or more shiny.
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 11-21-2005, 05:59 PM (12 of 14)
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I wouldn't count on a salesperson to know a whole lot about the fabric, except maybe in a very good quilt shop. Fabric is not always rolled on the bolt where the right side is displayed. Depends on the fabric. If it is to be draped in the store then it is the wrong side on the outside, but I do not think Walmart drapes fabric.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 11-21-2005, 09:38 PM (13 of 14)
|
I read somewhere (probably here!) that you can tell the right side of the fabric by the selvedges where the needles goes in on the right side and the needle comes out on the back, thereby giving you the 'rough' edge when you run your fingers along the selvedge. Course, I still go with what side I like the look of better. I just bought some knit backed fleece, and I will definitely use the knit side right side up, it looks much nicer IMHO!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Teri
Date: 11-22-2005, 06:42 PM (14 of 14)
|
I recently made cushion covers of woven chenille that was shaded differently depending what side I used, I ran a lenght of masking tape down the wrong side of the fabric (to avoid pulling out fuzz when I took it off) and put masking tape snippets on the wrong side of the pieces as I cut them out, this worked well for me.
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66 
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