Sewing Tips Megathread

By Mischa. 28/11/09, 12:58 pm

I thought it would be awesome to have a thread where we post sewing tips and tricks we have found.

Since we have sewers of all levels from novice to advanced who post- I feel there will be something of value for everyone!

Here's some of mine (most are novice)

Got a garment with a lot of binding to cut? Use cheap cloth-tape, the stuff that's not very sticky with fiber woven into it- you can rip it to any width and use it as a template to cut along. This works really well with slippy difficult fabrics. Make sure to test a patch, or use on the wrong side to make sure it doesn't mark delicate fabrics first.

Keep a spray bottle of water by your ironing board, It is much better then the squirty function on your iron and you wont have to keep refilling it

When doing collar points use a very short stitch then clip right up close- scary but your points will be ruler sharp.

I know it's boring, but make a mock up in a crappy fabric first to check the fit if you are doing a unfamiliar type of garment or something in an expensive fabric. It will end up saving you time.

Always be polite to the staff at sewing shops, they know their stuff and are usually delighted when you tell them you are making a costume. (After the 4893 customer making baby clothes you would be too) If you come in at a time when they are not busy they will order odd stuff in for you.

Go to the library! Sewing info tends not to date (sure a book from 1956 won't have info on spandex, but the woven stuff it still great) There are a treasure trove of books on couture techniques, timesavers and inspiration in there. Also check out threads magazine- so good! http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/4339/boning-not-just-for-corsets

By Amura. 28/11/09, 01:35 pm

USE THIS BOOK FOR PATTERN DRAFTING::::

Metric Pattern cutting for women's wear by Winifred Aldrich
ISBN: 978-1-4051-7567-8

Its ledgendry Very Happy

, there are also mens and childrens versions avaliable.
It tells you how to draft patterns from the basic blocks, then how to alter all little details and turn the blocks into patterns. Some basic math skill is needed though....We used this in Fabric Tech last year, people couldnt understand the instructions, so you need focus sometimes XD

A sewing book thats real good:
Readers Digest Complete Guide To Sewing, yeah it is from the 1980's but i find it good (there might be more modern versions though). I got mine for $5 when I was in Wellington 3 or 4 months ago Very Happy

It has a whole pile of sewing methods and stuffs

When talking to Spotlight staff: Often we are dead tired, and sick of rude customers yelling at us for THEIR MISTAKES! Though we love to help, and know the store/ products well. If you are kind, we don't mind seeing if we can get things in from the suppliers, but only if we aren't busy. Usually its good to become friends with the staff there Very Happy

Also, I have found many usual staff (the ones in the plain shirts, not striped) will be nicer about things, but they dont usually know as much as the DM's (striped shirts), not saying we're dumb though...

By Mischa. 28/11/09, 01:42 pm

awesome Amura! I edited the part in my post about Spotlight not ordering things for you- my mistake :)

(I feel sorry for the staff at Wellington- they are SO UNDERSTAFFED)

By Pura. 28/11/09, 06:53 pm

By Amura. 29/11/09, 08:45 am

Ooh i should apply, loved my job, stupid uni making me leave, but spotlight everywhere are laying off so many god damn staff, three people from hastings who have been with the store since it opened were forced to leave, so sad

By Mischa. 29/11/09, 08:54 am

I have used this tip on sheers before and it works a treat:

By Amura. 29/11/09, 09:22 am

By **Duckeh**. 29/11/09, 10:12 am

Please keep on topic.

>.>
<.<

A quite basic tip, but worth bringing up.
http://sewing.about.com/od/beginner1/bb/seamfinishes.htm
Seam finishes! Research them. They're lovely! <3 Finishing neatly is going to improve the overall look of the whole garment. ~~Or hiding it away ninjahly somehow. {Damn you /cgl/ cheat threads.}~~

Though admittedly I generally fail at this because I'm doing it last minute~ It always makes me happy to see nice clean edges/seams~ <3
_________________

{{Possible Plans}}
Valentina - Doctor Parnassus - 10% || Queen of Albion - Fable 3 - 0%

By Static. 29/11/09, 05:02 pm

Biggest tip I can think of: ALWAYS measure the actual pattern, don't just go by the measurements on the envelope. They are always wrong!

By sakura_petals. 29/11/09, 05:24 pm

How do you mean measure the pattern? I don't think I understand...

**Guest** Guest

Measure the waistline mark to see if its half or what ever of your waist...I did that with Cookie Monster, and learnt the hard way to do it with Princess Saturn...lol

SS

By Static. 29/11/09, 05:30 pm

Yup, like Jackie says: lay the pattern pieces out, and measure them (taking into account seam allowance and darts or whatever) at the waist, maybe bust and hip too. You can avoid a lot of horrors like this, lol...

By **Duckeh**. 29/11/09, 05:31 pm

ALSO: Making it bigger is always better then smaller! You can fit it later, but adding on is a beautiful and wonderful person. :3
Fitting is easier when you have someone with you and you wear the garment inside out and they help pin it in to shape~

//My noobyness is showing through my tips. ;-;
_________________

{{Possible Plans}}
Valentina - Doctor Parnassus - 10% || Queen of Albion - Fable 3 - 0%

By Static. 29/11/09, 05:37 pm

Lol, Ducks speaks the truth! It's basic, but it was YEARS before it ocurred to me...it makes life easier Razz

By sakura_petals. 29/11/09, 05:48 pm

Cool! I will remember that! Keep these tips coming! nyahaha