So, is it done yet? How’d it turn out? Pics?
Fine pins for fine fabrics. I’ve got a rotary cutter and mat and I love them. I find accurate cutting easier when you’re not sliding the bottom half of the scissors under everything. To avoid catching pins with the blade, make sure you pin inside the cutting lines. You really don’t want to catch a pin with the blade because it puts a dull spot in your blade and it won’t cut correctly anymore. Ask me how I know this.
I love using a rotary cutter, but I also only use it for straight cuts; it’s a tool that requires a lot of practice to have the skill to make smooth curved cuts. But if you do use it? I second the advice to be very, very careful; you can shear a chunk off the tip of your finger if you have even a moment’s lapse in attention. Ask me how I know this, too. :eek:
And yes, clipping curved seams takes the bulk out of the seam. Just be careful not to over- or under-clip – one leaves you needing to restitch the seam, and the other leaves you with odd little lumps after it’s pressed. That video showing pressing tips offers great advice; I’m going to invest in one of those silicone mitts to aid in tricky seam pressing next time I dig out the sewing machine, for sure!
I hope it’s okay that I’m reviving this thread for the purpose of showing the finished items. My brother’s wedding was yesterday, and here are the dresses in action:
The bows on the back employed a few more safety pins than I would have liked, but overall I’m pretty pleased with how they came out!
Woohoo! Congratulations on that, it’s a tricky job and they look adorable. I know you see all the flaws, but I guarantee that everyone else was impressed.
MsWhatsis - I just have to mention that my parents were friends with a couple whose last name was Bednarczyk - very close to the name on the album.
The girls are cute and the dresses came out great!
StG
They look adorable…and the dresses look great! Good job!
I taught sewing using the Bishop Methode. I first taught to make sure the machine has been oiled after every 10 hours of sewing. Keep your work flat as long as you can. Put in darts and then put on on pockets or Zippers first.
What ever seam with you want. With a soft ruler measure the with of the seam from the needle(set the needle on the first inch ,then measure out to the width desired, then put a piece of tape at that point, Put a dot on the tape for sewing round areas. Use this as a guide. Keep your eye on the edge of the tape or the dot. A good garment depends a great deal on how it is pressed. If you have a Machine with Zig Zag stich finish the seams as you go. Press them flat. You can mark the spots where the seams will join either with tailor’s tacks or cut the notch in the seam or cut a little triangle at the spot where 2 seams meet. It depends on the fabric,if it is not see theough you can used tailors chalk. or as someone else suggested tracing paper and a wheel.
If it is a fabric like cotton make sure you have straightened the grain. Off grain garments do not look professional.
Monavis
Aww, the girls (and the dresses) look adorable! Very nice job!
GT