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From: mozeyrn
Date: 11-29-2005, 02:00 PM (1 of 8)
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When folding the fabric to begin pinning the pieces, am I only concerned with matching up the selvages? Am I to disregard how the fabric has been cut by the store? Also, where is the best place to look for left-handed scissors? Thanks.
- Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 11-29-2005, 02:22 PM (2 of 8)
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As far as left handed scissors go, I have seen them at JoAnn's and alot of the quilt shops in my area. I am left handed and have left handed scissors but I use the rotary cutter or the spring loaded scissors. They are easier on the hands.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 11-29-2005, 03:30 PM (3 of 8)
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When you lay out your fabric, you need to be sure the grain is straight so when you put your pattern down it is on the straight grain. I find matching selvages is a good start but not enough. Sometimes you can make sure the upper edge or folded edge is straight using a repeating pattern, if there is one. The best thing, though, is to pull a thread then cut along the line it leaves where it came out. Then if that edge is straight and the selvages are straight and you measure from that little arrow on the pattern to the selvage you can be pretty sure you will have your fabric cut on the grain and it will hang properly. It's a pain. Nobody likes cutting out the pattern but if you don't cut it right your finished garment will be a mess. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 11-29-2005, 03:32 PM (4 of 8)
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Hi mozeyrn, Welcome to Sew Whats New. Glad you have come to be with us. As far as left handed scissors go, any fabric store should carry them. My suggestion to you would be go to one and try the scissors on your hand and pretend to cut with them. It will give you an idea of how it feels in your hand. If they feel good and are a good pair then you should have no problems. As far as laying your fabric down, the way it is cut at the store is 9 out of 10 times crooked. So make sure the selvages are even and the fold of the fabric has no waves or wrinkles in it. I always wash my fabric first, then dry and iron it. Then I make sure everything is on grain. Not everyone washes their fabrics first, and this is a personal choice. Whatever way works best for you, then I say go with it. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-29-2005, 08:04 PM (5 of 8)
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Way to go, Summerechos. That is how I do it too. You'll find that there are scissors that are generic and will fit either right or left hand. The metal scissors will be either right or left handed. Unfortunately, there are usually more right than left handed selections in the stores. Fortunately, when you see big sales on close-out scissors, the left handed are the ones that are usually left and the prices are excellent. When you purchase, be sure you purchase the scissors that are labeled dressmaker. These are the bent scissors that will ride on the flat surface of the table. 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: zami210
Date: 03-14-2006, 02:29 PM (6 of 8)
BUT what about pinning? What direction would I pin from and how many layers...and all. It sounds so easy, but I know if I do it wrong it will screw up my pattern. Anyone? 
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User: zami210
Member since: 03-14-2006 Total posts: 1 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 03-14-2006, 04:43 PM (7 of 8)
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Pinning: I don't know if it matters that much. I'm sure someone out here will have a stronger opinion though! I was browsing through a fashion sewing book once, and the author had gone to lengths to show the proper manner: Pinning toward the center of the pieces, always either with or across the grain, never on a diagonal, and always perpendicular to the cutting lines on the pattern. I was surprised, b/c I'd never seen it done that way. I mean, my grandmother sewed for a big designer in NYC for most of her career, and she never did that. Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: paroper
Date: 03-14-2006, 05:56 PM (8 of 8)
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Andrea pretty much has it right. You carefully fold your fabric so that it is on the straight of grain, matching the selvage and making sure that there are no wrinkles at the center showing that it is off grain. Then you lay things on the fold that are supposed to go there, pin first at about 1/3 down from the top at the center fold line, then about 1/3 up from the bottom (or vice versa. Then pin from the center of the fabric toward both ends, pinning 4-5 inches apart, closer on curves, etc. Your pincs should go from the inside of the pattern toward the edges, always be placed on the grain and be at right angles to the edges. Again, pin from the center out, work your way down the fold line as you go...starting near the center work in "rectangles" on each pattern, radiating out from the center of the pattern rather than pinning from the top or bottom down. Pinning in this method keeps your pattern from crawling up or down, pinning at right angle, on the straight of grain toward the outside keeps the pattern from bunching in the center. As you pin, don't pin straight down but pin at angles so that you can poke the pin up through the other side. Never lift your pattern while pinning OR cutting. When it comes to a piece with an arrow for straight of grain, place pin the arrow at one end, measure to the center fold or the selvage, gently spread out the pattern and measure up to the other end of the arrow. Place a second pin. Check your measurment. Then, once again, pin radiating out from the center. Place your pins in an "x" fashion across the pattern across from each other, radiating out (again) from the center. There is usually no need to place extra pins inside the pattern as long as the edges are properly pinned. Whenever possible, do not move, roll or fold a pattern piece until it has been cut (sometimes this is not possible because of the space required. Where it is possible, if you MUST move the fabric, fold, don't roll the fabric (even better if you can cut before you roll or fold) if you much move the fabric to lay it all out..there is less crawl if it is folded rather than rolled. If you do not have room to lay all the pieces in a particular section of the fabric as you go, place pins randomly in the uncut fabric so that you do not loose your straight of grain in the uncut fabric when you go back to lay/cut the next piece. Where you do not have good layout instructions or it appears that you might be short fabric, lay the largest pieces first, and make sure that you have room for the others before you cut, even if you have to cut on the floor to do that. Never cut the fabric until you are sure you have enough. You cannot always be sure that your bolt of fabric will still be there if you go back or that the one that is there is the one your fabric was cut from. Dye lots can vary in fabric from one bolt to another, sometimes color can even vary within the same bolt of fabric. 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 |
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