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From: kimbee1022
Date: 10-03-2006, 10:14 PM (1 of 4)
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I am working only on my second ever pattern, there are some words they use I don't understand. Maybe before I put them out there..is there a dictionary of some sort on this site? If not - What does Baste mean...the first thing that came to mind was basting a turkey...can't mean the same I am assuming! Pattern also talks about fusible interfacing...I think I understand what interfacing is for, but what is fusible mean? What makes it better than just any other kind of interfacing? If I have extra material can that be used for interfacing? Sorry so many questions. What is Yoke? I must be hungry...first thng that comes to mind is... eggs!! LOL The pattern also says ...stitch along seam line. Is that the seam I sewed already? What do they mean when they say use a long machnie-stitch? Thanks to anyone who has the time to answer. Kimberly |
User: kimbee1022
Member since: 09-25-2006 Total posts: 4 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-03-2006, 11:01 PM (2 of 4)
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Hi, and welcome. Let's see, you have terms that are parts of garments, and you have terms that are techniques. Many techniques are defined, often with illustrations, on the first page of the patterns. I had to look up "yoke" b/c I couldn't think of how to describe it. Merriam Webster has it right: a fitted or shaped piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of various garments. Many tunics have a yoke in the center-front, forming part of the neckline. Some skirts that are in style right now have a yolk instead of a basic waistband. It curves around the hips and the skirt hangs from that instead of hanging from the natural waist. Interfacing: You're on the right track! Fusible ones offer a shortcut--it takes just a few seconds and a hot iron to ruse it on, instead of "basting" it on the old fashioned way, one stitch at a time, alll the way around the piece. Yes, you can sometimes use scraps, tho' preferably lighter in weight--It can get bulky. Spend a few mins looking at the various interfacings at your fabric store and you'll soon get the jist. Good questions! Basting is a long stitch, whether you do it by hand or by machine. It is temporary, meant to hold things in place while you work on getting your pieces sewn together neatly. For ex, if you've gathered a skirt to sew onto a bodice, you might first baste it, then check to see if you have the gathers distributed neatly, and then "stitch," using a regular length stitch. 'regular' is likely to be in the middle of your dial (2.5 on mine), depending on your machine, and 'long' or 'basting' is at one end (4 on mine), with the shortest stitch imaginable at the other end of the dial(0 on mine, with the fabric not moving at all). Those long basting stitches are easier to remove if need be than regular length stitches. Comes in handy for correcting mistakes, and we all make them! Stitch along the seamline: American patterns use a standard 5/8 inch seam, unless otherwise noted. So, stitch 5/8 inch from the edge of the fabric to make your seam (not re-sewing what you've already sewn, but I see why you were wondering!) It sounds like you've done a nice job reading the pattern carefully before getting started. Have fun! Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-04-2006, 08:20 AM (3 of 4)
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I thought I would add that fusible interfacing works best on natural fibers that can take a lot of heat or it could bubble after you wash it. You need to shrink it before you use it. You can do that by hand washing and air drying but I usually just hit it hard with a blast of steam from the iron (I do that with non woven sew in interfacing too). Usually I apply the fusible interfacing to a piece of fabric then cut out the pattern piece so everything fits nicely Just be sure you keep it on the straight grain of the fabric. Also you can sometimes just pin baste things together. That is a decision you have to make with every seam. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: kimbee1022
Date: 10-04-2006, 08:44 AM (4 of 4)
Thanks Andrea and Dorthy. I have a better understanding -I think. After I posted this quesiton my husband suggest I might want to take a sewing class...at $75.00 I decided I'd let him suggest it before me...it worked!!! LOL Anyway I will be seeing if they have any openings and join one at the Jo-Ann fabric store near by.  I would love to someday come back on this site and help others with questions too! Thanks again.Kimberly |
User: kimbee1022
Member since: 09-25-2006 Total posts: 4
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