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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: BabyPop
Date: 06-14-2006, 04:59 PM (1 of 19)
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I have been working on this apron (http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=5154) (view B) for about two months now. (Don't laugh, I know it's supposed to be easy, but I'm new at this.) I've finally gotten patient enough for the cutting/ironing/pinning, but now I'm having difficulty sewing the curve where the arms go. And they aren't even very sharp curves either! Can someone tell me where a good resource/tutorial (visual, preferably) is? I have read on here and it just says to go slow and pivot, but I really have no idea what is meant by that! Thanks. |
User: BabyPop
Member since: 05-05-2006 Total posts: 5 
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From: MariLynntex
Date: 06-14-2006, 05:09 PM (2 of 19)
| When you are sewing a curve, you need to pivot every now and then (or on a sharp curve, often). This means: stop stitching with the needle down, turn your fabric a bit in the direction of the curve, and stitch slowly a few more stitches, stop with needle down, turn fabric, etc. Do this for this length of the curve. Trim the seam to 1/4 inch, clip the edges of the seam about every 1/2 inch so that when the seam is done, you can turn the lining or facing in and press and have a nice smooth curved edge. MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: esrun3
Date: 06-14-2006, 09:38 PM (3 of 19)
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Welcome to the boards BabyPop. MariLynn's explanation is right on altho I'm sure there is someone else out there with another way but it is easy if you do it as MariLynn suggested.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 06-14-2006, 11:18 PM (4 of 19)
Sounds like a fun project  Welcome to the boards. I agree w/ the above. Do you have a little extra fabric so that you can practice on a scrap curve? It take a minute or two to get the hang of it so that your needle doesn't "fall" off the edge of the fabric. Give it a whirl on a scrap, and you'll see what I mean. It sometimes helps to hold both hands out flat over the fabric to keep it in position while you guide it around the curve. I hunted but couldin't find you a picture of this online.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: BabyPop
Date: 06-15-2006, 09:35 AM (5 of 19)
Thanks all! I wish I'd practiced the whole stinkin' project with scrap...one of the pockets looks really good, the first one I did, however, looks rouched (?) when it's not supposed to. Also, who knew that polyester blends will BURN under the iron. Trial and error, I guess! Will def. practice some curves on scrap though. I did one curve and it looks like crud, so, like the pocket, the 2nd will look much better than the 1st. 
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User: BabyPop
Member since: 05-05-2006 Total posts: 5
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From: mozeyrn
Date: 06-15-2006, 09:49 AM (6 of 19)
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With regards to the iron burning your fabric, you may want to get yourself a pressing cloth. It's kind of like a large hankerchief. You lay it on top of your fabric and then place the iron on top of that. I use one almost all the time - ask me how I know. It also helps to prevent the iron from being too hot against the clothes and getting that shiny look to the material. Just a thought.... - Maureen.
Learning something new with every stitch!! Kenmore 16231000 |
User: mozeyrn
Member since: 11-29-2005 Total posts: 349 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 06-15-2006, 10:17 AM (7 of 19)
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BabyPop - If one pocket and one curve look that bad it might be time for the BIG sewing lesson -- use of a seam ripper! Just a thought. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 06-15-2006, 10:29 AM (8 of 19)
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If you take your time and follow up on MariLynn's directions you will be ok. Don't be so tough on yourself. We were all in your position at one time.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: MariLynntex
Date: 06-15-2006, 11:47 AM (9 of 19)
| It's less likely to burn if you use a steam iron, sometimes along with the press cloth! MariLynntex |
User: MariLynntex
Member since: 01-05-2006 Total posts: 107 |
From: BabyPop
Date: 06-15-2006, 12:17 PM (10 of 19)
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All such great advice. Does a pressing cloth have to specifically be a "pressing cloth" or can I indeed use another piece of hankerchief or something as a substitute. Also, any tips for pinning the curve? Should I cut notches in the fabric? RE: Seam ripper. The fabric I have is really cute (green gingham) but it is, I think, cotton/poly blend and when I've tried using the seam ripper, it's left huge holes where the thread was. I'll pay closer attention to the fabric next time, and get something that is more useful and can take my abuse, rather than a lighterweight fabric that just looks pretty. 
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User: BabyPop
Member since: 05-05-2006 Total posts: 5
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From: DorothyL
Date: 06-15-2006, 01:18 PM (11 of 19)
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Next time you might not have any problems and everything will fall right in place. It works that way sometimes. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes an iron will take out those holes. I use a piece of muslin for a press cloth. I also have a heavy one that is a very open weave -- holes nearly the size of those on a screen door -- but very soft. It works well on things with a nap and was made as a press cloth. Just a couple weeks ago I fried one side of the capelet I made for my daughter's wedding because I thought I was too smart to use a press cloth. Not as smart as I thought I was! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-15-2006, 07:24 PM (12 of 19)
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Michaels has ddish towels made from flour sacks and that is what I use for a press cloth.. I use to use a Curity diaper..(the kind you had to fold) but they all wore out years ago.. The flour sack towels work great..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: MrsSnuggly
Date: 06-15-2006, 10:58 PM (13 of 19)
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The holes only seem big. Steam iron them.....orwait til its all sewn then after you iron our the whole thing (you are supposed to do that....) they'll be pretty much gone. Otherwise none of us woud ever use "cute" fabric!!! When dealing with curves its best to really take your time and concentrate. And practice. Yeah - lots of practice. I still hate doing anything that is a full circle......just be like a baby and don't give up. Mind you, they cry in lieu of asking for help, but they don't give up...... Brandy~ |
User: MrsSnuggly
Member since: 05-21-2006 Total posts: 104 |
From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-24-2006, 09:16 AM (14 of 19)
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Curves? You should have seen me sewing on the little circle girl scout badges for my daughter. Talk about practice in needle down and pivot! The practice, practice, practice, will help. After all those patches, my garmet sewing in arches and circles has gotten 100% better! Yours will be too! My very first project when I returned to sewing went directly into the trash, I figured it as a learning curve. My next one went much better, and I've been going, going, going. Good luck! Welcome to the forum! You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-24-2006, 11:43 AM (15 of 19)
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Maybe this is a good time for me to climb back up on my soapbox and say PRACTICE ON SCRAP FABRIC! ! I always test a new technique and new fabrics and trims so that I don't ruin anything..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: sewingcybermom
Date: 06-25-2006, 12:26 PM (16 of 19)
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Hey everyone! I teach sewing to teens and when we get ready for curves, say like the crotch area of pj pants, etc., I have them work on paper that I have cut the curve from. They do this till they're sick of it and think they are pros. Then I give them this cloth from lowes called soil seperator. It's white, comes in 300' rolls and is like angel hair, but is flat and very strong. It is sheer, but sturdy. It mimics a piece of fabric that indeed acts differently than paper going through the machine. When they try this, they soon realize that fabric curves are a bit more difficult than paper ones. The lessons they learned with paper are speed, seam allowances, how to not panic on the curve. After a few tries with the soil seperator stuff, they get their fabric! This usually works like a dream! OH by the way, this soil seperator can be used to trace patterns and for stabelizer in embroidery projects. It works really well and is really soft! Go figure! See some of my work here: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v624/sewingcybermom/sewing%20projects/ See some of my work here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ce%20costumes/ |
User: sewingcybermom
Member since: 01-18-2006 Total posts: 58 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 06-26-2006, 04:56 PM (17 of 19)
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Do you happen to know what the ...er... traditional uses of soil seperator fabric are?? I haven't seen it, but I'll look for it next time I'm out.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: sewingcybermom
Date: 06-26-2006, 06:02 PM (18 of 19)
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soil seperator is a fabric that you place in ditches and gulleys before you lay your pipes that lead into your house to keep roots and sediment from working their way into your pipes and plumbing. It is really really strong stuff, but very sheer and soft. I use it all the time for embroidery and pattern cutting along with teaching.
See some of my work here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ce%20costumes/ |
User: sewingcybermom
Member since: 01-18-2006 Total posts: 58
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-29-2006, 05:46 PM (19 of 19)
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Its the best bargain , by FAR , that can be found.. Lowe's has it in 3 widths .. 18, 24, and 36 inches by 300 feet long rolls.. The 24 in by 300 feet roll cost not quite $ 18.00 about a year ago here in my town..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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