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: Lynnie
Date: 04-03-2006, 09:13 AM (1 of 12)
|
I was wondering what will happen if I try to make shorts or skorts out of Home dec material. My SD needs some shorts for this summer. She's very active so I wanted something a little heavier than quilting cotton type material. My Joann's doesn't cary much if any denim or kaki type material, but they have an entire wall of Home Decor fabric, 100% cotton, machine wash & dry. I got a couple yards and am going to give it a try. Any suggestions, pittfalls I should look out for? It seams to fray really easily so I'm finishing the edges by ZZ and then trimming close to the ZZ. Any other ideas on how to finish seams that won't be too bulky? Any advice is appreciated. |
User: Lynnie
Member since: 02-23-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-03-2006, 09:40 AM (2 of 12)
|
I'd strengthen the center and inseams with a flat fell seam or do a French seam and then top stitch it down. If it ravels a lot you want to be sure it doesn't pull at the seams. Better to add a little bulk than have it shred at the back seam when she is wearing it. She might never want to wear anything you make again. Also shrink it and soften it in the washing machine and dryer before you cut. I think the home decor stuff (especially outdoor stuff) has a lot of sizing in it. Just suggestions. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 04-03-2006, 10:02 AM (3 of 12)
|
A lot of Home Dec fabric is dry clean only. Make sure you prewash the fabric to see if it will work. Some are rated dry clean only but can be washed in cold & hung to dry.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
|
From: sewingrandma
Date: 04-03-2006, 11:04 AM (4 of 12)
|
Does your Joanne's carry scrubs fabric, it comes in solids and prints. It wears like iron and doesn't need to be ironed. Anything labeled bottom weight will work for shorts.
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Lynnie
Date: 04-03-2006, 11:18 AM (5 of 12)
|
I can give the flat fell seams a try. I'm pretty new so I've never done them before. It looks pretty simple for straight seams. What do you do for curves, like when you sew the crotch together? I put the fabric through the wash and it came out fine, not too stiff at all. |
User: Lynnie
Member since: 02-23-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: Lynnie
Date: 04-03-2006, 11:34 AM (6 of 12)
|
I haven't seen any scrubs fabric. Maybe I just haven't found it yet. My local store is devoted almost entirely to quilting and fleece. There is some special occasion stuff which is useless to me based both on my experience level and my preference for casual attire. There is very little cotton for apperel, a tiny cotton/poly blend section. Bottom weights are usually only found in the clearance / flat fold secion and are often unmarked as to their content. Then there is this whole section of 45" wide Home Decor fabric. I tried to find it on their website to show you, but I couldn't. It's kind of canvas-y but the weave isn't extreamly tight so it's not too stiff. It's 100% cotton and can be machine washed and dried. It has a little texture to it. The threads that go across the grain are thicker, like denim and the ones that run with the grain are smaller and woven over and under in pairs. It comes in a lot of bright prints but also in some basic neutral solids. I got it because I was looking for something heavier than quilting cotton in basic solids. My SD is more than happy to put a loud print shirt with equally loud shorts.  I'm looking for something a little more subdued.
|
User: Lynnie
Member since: 02-23-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-03-2006, 12:00 PM (7 of 12)
|
Lynnie -- Those curves really shouldn't be a problem. But if they are try a French seam, trim it really close after the first seam then sew the second seam and top stitch that flat. But if you trim the covered side of the flat fell seam and iron the folded side before you sew it down, I don't think you will have any problems. Just take it slow and don't try to skip steps. After the first pair of shorts you'll be turning them out like hot cakes and you'll be so proud of the finish. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Lynnie
Date: 04-03-2006, 02:27 PM (8 of 12)
|
Do you know of any web sites that show how to do a flat felled seam or french seam around a curve? I'm having a hard time visualizing how to fold around a U shape without clipping into the seam. Maybe it will be easier when I have it in front of me. I think I'd prefer the flat felled, but the french seam may be easier. How do you do your flat felled seams? Do you offset the edges, fold the longer edge over the shorter to make your first stitch line, or do you stitch them even and then trim one side. I've seen instructions for both methods. Which do you prefer? |
User: Lynnie
Member since: 02-23-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-03-2006, 03:55 PM (9 of 12)
|
For a flat fell seam I stitch and trim one side and iron the fold in before I put it over the trimmed side. I've never had trouble with French seams on curves. You sew the first time, wrong sides together, with about a 1/4 inch seam then trim it close. I find it helps to trim with the seam laid open on a seam roll. Then you turn the fabric right sides together press so the first seam is right on the fold and press it down. Another 1/4 inch seam and you have the French seam. You can top stitch it down now and it looks like a flat fell seam. Try it on a bit of scrap and you'll find it's a lot easier than you think. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Lynnie
Date: 04-03-2006, 07:38 PM (10 of 12)
Oh thank you, Dorothy!  I gave it a try and yes, the flat fell and the french seams look much better for this material. I just have to get used to sewing with the wrong sides together since it looks the same on both sides. I had to put big tape "X's" on the "wrong" side so I didn't get it mixed up and now I just have to remember that the taped sides go together. I'm so excited to finally be sewing clothes that fit my sweet but freakishly proportioned SD. (10 y/o, 5' 2", 90 lbs) I've discovered that all shirt patterns must have 4" (yes, four whole inches) added to the length just to get them past her belly button. On the plus side, she is always picked first for basketball. 
|
User: Lynnie
Member since: 02-23-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 04-03-2006, 09:43 PM (11 of 12)
|
you can buy fabric online at Joann's and from other online fabric stores, if you can't find what you want in your town. www.joann.com www.denverfabrics.com www.equilter.com www.borntoquilt.com www.mybluebamboo.com www.fabshophop.com has a LONG list of online fabric shops. Chrys
|
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
|
From: paroper
Date: 04-04-2006, 11:11 AM (12 of 12)
|
I'd look for duck, kettle cloth (wonderful stuff...wears forever), sail cloth, racket cloth. All of these would (and do) make wonderful play clothes for kids and are usually bought in all kinds of colors. I use racket cloth from Hancocks for my daughter's scrub pants. I think that many home dec fabrics would be rough against a child's soft skin, plus many of them shrink like crazy.
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 |
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-18800.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft