Garment
Construction Tips...
This page contains tips related to garment construction and also some
neat ideas, too! If YOU have a tip that belongs here just
email me and let me know! I'd love to add YOUR
name to our growing list of sewing friends!
Attaching Laces...
Submitted by Jeannie:
I make doll clothes and use lace for their slips & pantaloons. As you can imagine, the lace is tiny and can be a nightmare trying to sew it on without having the lace twist or jam in my machine. I've tried using all different kinds of stabilizers without success. One night, in desperation, I tried adding a piece of "Seams Great" on top of the lace I was sewing. It worked great and the tricot was hardly visible. The added bonus was that now there is a permanent support for all those seams that can pull out so easily. I've used it ever since!
(Thanks Jeannie!)
Pinning Alternatives...
From:Darlene
When sewing ski jackets out of gortex fabric that shouldn't be pinned, I use
plastic covered paper clips to hold the edges together. They slip off easily when needed!
*Editor's note- Since the paper clips are metal underneath the plastic, your magnetic pin holder will hold the clips, too!
(Thanks Darlene!)
*NEW* Easy Pressing...
From: Ann
When pressing difficult areas of your garment, try using an oven mitt on your hand as a ham. You'll have greater control of the pressing and shaping process and the mitt will protect your fingers from steam burns.
(Thanks Ann!)
*NEW* No "Gap" Blouses...
From: Renee'
When constructing a blouse, to avoid that embarrassing gap in between buttons - be sure to measure the fullest part of your bust - put the first button there, then space the rest accordingly.
*NEW* No Lump Elastic Pants...
From: Helen
One of my favorite ideas is when you are sewing elastic together for a waistband, instead of overlapping the elastic, butt the elastic up together with a square of fabric underneath and zigzag the elastic to the fabric on each end. That way you won't have a lump in the waistband.
(Thanks Helen!)
Easy Gathering Method...
From:Renee'
The easiest way, that I know of, to gather fabric is to use dental floss. Set your machine to one of it's wider zig-zag stitches so it won't catch the dental floss in the stitches. Sew the dental floss in the middle, the zig-zag stitches crossing OVER the floss using a 1/4" seam allowance. You can just slide your fabric along the floss until it's the right size for your garment. This works well for easing in shoulder seams, also. The waxed dental floss easily slides out when the seam is done provided you've not caught it in your stitches!
Applying Snaps...
From:Renee'
Here's a very easy tip for applying snaps!
First, sew the top half of the snaps on the fabric. Then rub a little chalk over the tips. Press it against the other side of the garment to mark the exact spot where you should sew on the bottom half. Perfect marking for applying snaps!
Elastic Waist Pants...
From:
Barbara Hermann Ross
1. When you cut the pants out, especially if you cut more than one
pair out at a time, mark the upper outside portion of each pants section
with one or two straight pins. I use one pin for each front section
and two for each back section. This way I can tell at a glance which is
the outside and which is the top of my garment section, and I can easily
tell the front from the back.
2. When you sew the pull-on pants, put a small loop of ribbon (I use
1/4" or 3/8" grosgrain) at the center back. When you put on the finished
garment, it is just like having a label, so you can easily tell the
front from the back. This idea also works well for children's pull-on
shirts or dresses; put a tiny loop of ribbon at the back, where it does
not show from the outside, and it is easier for them to put their
clothes on properly.
(Thanks Barbara!)
Quick Times 2...
When cutting out a pattern that you want to make more than one outfit of, simply layer the fabric and cut through both fabrics! This especially works well with a rotary cutter! You end up only cutting each pattern piece once but end up with 2 complete sets ready for sewing. If the fabrics are a similar background that allow using the same thread, do back to back sewing (ie; do both necklines, both bodices, both skirts, etc.) and you'll be finished in no time!
From: Renee' =)
...other sewists have been here since 4/1/99!