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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: seamstress16
Date: 08-28-2006, 11:06 PM (1 of 5)
How is it that this happened? I cut out a cobbler apron. The front was cut on the fold, the two back sections were cut out together at the same time on folded fabric. I sew the apron together. One of the back sections reaches all the way down to the bottom, the other one stops 1/2" short! If I cut out the back pieces together, how did this happen?! Also, I had to sew pockets to the apron 10 1/2" down from the armpit into the side seam. I do this and one pocket is 1/4" higher than the other! What in the world causes this to happen and does it only happen to me?
-Frustrated,
Danielle
User: seamstress16
Member since: 01-29-2005
Total posts: 88
From: Chrysantha
Date: 08-29-2006, 12:38 AM (2 of 5)
Did ya make sure the fabric was ironed and STRAIGHT BEFORE you pinned the pattern on ??? (selveges should meet). Also...was the back portion supposed to be turned BACKWARDS on the fold ??? (I've never made one of these so I have no idea what they're like). Reading and putting the pattern on the straight fabric is the first thing -I- thought of...

Someone else ???
Chrys
User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002
Total posts: 2414
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-29-2006, 07:56 AM (3 of 5)
That kind of thing used to happen to me all the time. Now I use a rotary cutter to cut out patterns and I rarely have that problem. For me it was because the fabric shifted when I lifted it to cut, even lifting it just to get the scissors under.

As for the pockets did you sew both sides in the same direction -- top to bottom or bottom to top? That could help with that kind of distortion.

Those are just the ways I screw things up. I'm sure other people have other ways.
Dorothy
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002
Total posts: 3883
From: SummersEchos
Date: 08-29-2006, 08:26 AM (4 of 5)
Sounds to me as if the pattern was not on the straight of grain. So the one side was being stretched as you sewed. When your fabric is cut at the store never assume it is straight. The manufactures pull the fabric when winding it onto the bolts and one side can be pulled more than the other. The material should lay flat with the selvedges meeting. The cut ends may be way off in meeting but that happens. The fold should have no waves or wrinkles in it either.
Summer

FREE FALLIN
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004
Total posts: 884
From: paroper
Date: 08-29-2006, 10:50 AM (5 of 5)
I agree with everyone else. Unless your fabric was "bunched" underneath (unlikely) you have a problem that the item is not grain perfect, or you have a fabric that has some natural stretch. One way to avoid this is to sew UP the skirt from the bottom on both sides. Truly, because the area where the pocket was put was proportionally off (in relationship to the entire side), it sounds like you gradually stretched it as you worked.
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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