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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-26-2006, 11:25 AM (1 of 26)
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The question is ... Why, after about 273 years of sewing, I can never get a collar exactly centered? It doesn't matter what kind of collar it is -- stand up, lay down, with a collar stand, with a band, with lapels, without lapels. I have never gotten one centered. I measure, I can have a perfect collar -- it just doesn't matter -- it is always 1/16 to 1/8 inch off. Don't tell me how to do it. I know how to do it! Why can't I ever, ever, ever do it perfect? There is my rant for today!! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: SheliaHC
Date: 07-26-2006, 12:18 PM (2 of 26)
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As a newbie I'm not sure if I'm encouraged or discourage by your post. It's encouraging to know that even you "pros" have trouble now and then but then again it's pretty discouraging to think I've got to sew for 273 years and I still won't be getting it right. Shelia |
User: SheliaHC
Member since: 12-28-2005 Total posts: 95 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-26-2006, 12:37 PM (3 of 26)
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I'm not a pro, just older than dirt today. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: SheliaHC
Date: 07-26-2006, 02:22 PM (4 of 26)
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But you sure seem to have alot of spunk to be older than dirt! Shelia |
User: SheliaHC
Member since: 12-28-2005 Total posts: 95 |
From: Magot
Date: 07-27-2006, 04:33 AM (5 of 26)
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There is a lot of spunk in the soil around auburn - you wouldn't want to get on her bad side....
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-27-2006, 07:19 AM (6 of 26)
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Yup -- Today I get my recorder for the radio news so I get to chase politicians around again. I'm not real sure I still up for that..... Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 07-27-2006, 08:25 AM (7 of 26)
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I clip the garment at the center back and the marks where the collar is supposed to go. Then I mark the center of the collar with a clip. When I place the collar I match the clipping.
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: 07-27-2006, 08:29 AM (8 of 26)
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Oh, I mark it to. It's still always off just a bit. No one notices, but I know its off. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-27-2006, 08:46 AM (9 of 26)
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Jan.....Dorothy's the only one with spunk around Auburn.....the rest are skunks. Shelia, Dorothy is in the middle of moving, new job, and daughter's lives changing direction. She handles stress magnificiently except for noticing a collar being off by 1/8 of an inch. Oh wait, forgot about the ironing episode with the caplet......... Love ya Dorothy........... 
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-27-2006, 09:09 AM (10 of 26)
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I do believe the stress is getting to me. I've been sewing up a storm -- always a sign -- and I haven't been sleeping well. I just wish I knew if these people are going to get their funding to buy the house. Several others have looked at it so maybe if they don't we will get another offer right away (knock wood). Patty lives near Auburn too -- just a different neighborhood. She's not a skunk. Patty -- when I get moved you can help me set up a sewing room. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-27-2006, 09:15 AM (11 of 26)
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Thanks Dorothy....I'd love to come visit and play at your house any day!
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: toadusew
Date: 07-27-2006, 09:24 AM (12 of 26)
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Dorothy, moving is very stressful, no matter whether you move across the country or across the street. Sewing always calms me, too, and I'm like you--when I'm very stressed, I sew a lot! Hang in there! I thought about you yesterday when I was in my own sewing room.--you and the person who posted about having bad days in the sewing room...because I was having a struggle with an apron I'm making. This particular pattern is confusing and it's an apron, for Pete's sake!  There must be an easier way to attach the shoulder strap (with ruffle attached) and the facing to the bib part of the apron, but right now, I'm just following pattern directions and trying to get through it. Even though this is the second time I"ve made this pattern, I got stuck in the same spot of the construction process. I did figure it out, but at this point, I'm ready to get this thing made and move on to sewing for my baby granddaughter. I don't think I'll be making this particular pattern again. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: SheliaHC
Date: 07-27-2006, 09:58 AM (13 of 26)
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If I could just make something that was only off by an 1/8 inch I would feel successful but then again I'm just a beginner and I haven't given up yet. Patty22 - From what I've seen on this forum there are quite a few amazing women (and men, couldn't leave them out) here. Lots of friendly sewing advice plus all the support you could ever ask for if you're having personal issues. Really glad I found all of ya'll. Shelia |
User: SheliaHC
Member since: 12-28-2005 Total posts: 95 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 07-29-2006, 12:15 AM (14 of 26)
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Dorothy...I feel your pain in the collar. I never can get them just right either. I love mandarin collars, but they're the worst! Tried at least 20 different construction methods. It's always a tiny bit lopsided...a lot like the wearer and the rest of my life. I've given up and make collarless shirts for the most part these days. Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 07-30-2006, 11:44 PM (15 of 26)
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I think that you are pretty darn good if you are only shifting that little amount!! But when you put the collar on are you sewing it with the collar up or the body of the top up? Depending on which way you sew it see which way the collar shifts from the center back markings. You might have to off set the collar to get it to feed itself right. Example: say you sew with the collar up and have both the center backs marks, BUT your collar center back shifts just a bit to the front of the top center back. Check to see how much it is shifting and place the collar marking to the opposite side of the top center back, pin it and sew. It "should" correct itself. It sounds like your teeth are just grabbing the bottom fabric really fast and the upper fabric is not staying with the pull of the lower fabric. Also check your pressure on your presser foot, you might have to much pressure. Another trick I was taught was to match up the clips and then fold the fabric front up at an angle at the clip to help keep it from shifting. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 07-31-2006, 02:28 AM (16 of 26)
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I cannot remember where I saw this or if someone showed it to me but when sewing collars, try sewing from the middle back of the collar to the right side and then from the middle to the left side. This keeps the collar from shifting when you sew around it. It may not make sense but I have tried it and it works. The same technique can be applied when sewing a v-neck; sew from the middle of the back neck seam to the point in the v, back stitch, cut the thread and do the same thing on the other side. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: paroper
Date: 07-31-2006, 09:00 AM (17 of 26)
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Actually, anything that is sewn across bias should be sewn that way. It works like stay stitching.
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: BabsSewingRoom
Date: 08-09-2006, 11:56 AM (18 of 26)
| I smile every time someone uses the "older than dirt" comment. Several years ago my husband and our son and two of our son's friends went to a auto race. At the time all three of the men (in their mid to early 30's) were divorced so you can imagine the car conversations. One of the guys starts telling about a gal that was "hot" but she was married and the husband was "older than dirt". My husband (driving) grinned and said, "I graduated from high school with that guy". He realized he'd just called my husband older than dirt. My husband is 63 now but at that time was in mid 50's. |
User: BabsSewingRoom
Member since: 04-10-2004 Total posts: 80 |
From: stitchmaniac
Date: 08-13-2006, 01:32 AM (19 of 26)
| just my $.02 but, try sewing from the back center notch to the rght front and they go back and sew from the center back notch to the left front. |
User: stitchmaniac
Member since: 11-05-2002 Total posts: 43 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-13-2006, 08:14 AM (20 of 26)
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You know that makes sense. I'm putting a collar on this afternoon and I'm going to try that. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: stitchmaniac
Date: 08-13-2006, 09:27 PM (21 of 26)
| DorothyL, did it work for you? |
User: stitchmaniac
Member since: 11-05-2002 Total posts: 43 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-14-2006, 09:37 AM (22 of 26)
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I went to the grocery store instead of the sewing room. It's a darn good thing I stopped a Joann's before I went to the grocery store or I wouldn't have had the money for that blue moleskin. I couldn't believe how little I got for how much I spent! I have most of today to sew and will get that collar on. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-14-2006, 02:52 PM (23 of 26)
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Collar is on and looked good the first time. I went from the center to the edge then on the other side the same way. I should have known that was the problem. Thanks guys. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Magot
Date: 08-14-2006, 03:56 PM (24 of 26)
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Yay! Now you have cracked it forever Dorothy!
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
|
From: stitchmaniac
Date: 08-15-2006, 07:49 PM (25 of 26)
| HURRAY! I am very happy my method worked for you! |
User: stitchmaniac
Member since: 11-05-2002 Total posts: 43 |
From: cakedec
Date: 08-16-2006, 03:20 PM (26 of 26)
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[older than dirt! lol I thought that was SO funny! thanks for the giggle Dorothy]. Sewhappy please excuse my sewing ignorance but I don't understand the trick that you were taught, about "folding the fabric up front" & what is ment by "clips" does that mean cutting a slit? my title say's it all I'm old but new to sewing,[tired of trying to find something nice in my size] & just cut out a blouse ready to sew ,& now a bit timid on centering the collar! |
User: cakedec
Member since: 02-16-2005 Total posts: 5 |
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