No matter what sewing pattern you choose to purchase and make, there are some general rules that you must stick by in order to complete your project as it was designed. Remember
‘These principles remain constant no matter the project!‘
Do you remember learning how to ride a bicycle? You always start with cycling aids, gradually removing them as you progress until finally, you’ve fine tuned the balance and you’re away. Completing a sewing project is almost the same.
You wouldn’t dream of just jumping on a bicycle with no experience, you’d simply fall off and the whole experience would dent your confidence. Hence, you wouldn’t just choose a really complicated pattern and muddle your way through as the end result would do very little to motivate you to continue.
Therefore, with this in mind, I have provided you all with a helpful checklist which (like the aforementioned cycling aids) can only help keep those sewing projects moving forward and possibly stop some of those dreaded mistakes which from time to time we all make.
Whenever you’re in doubt, simply remind yourself of these principles. I would highly recommend that you bookmark them to your favorite social media site.
The Checklist -
- Cut or trace your sewing patterns
- If your pattern pieces are badly creased, iron them with a warm iron
- Make any pattern alterations / adjustments (before doing anything else) to shorten or lengthen the pieces on the areas indicated on each pattern piece
- Place your pattern pieces onto your fabric, according to the Grain Line indicated on the pattern pieces
- Pin or weigh down your pattern pieces
- Transfer any pattern markings from the pattern to your fabric, e.g. darts, notches, balance marks etc
- Carefully remove the sewing pattern pieces
- Make sure the markings (e.g. tailor tacks) have transferred to all of the lower fabric pattern pieces
- It’s important not to play around with your fabric pieces once they are cut out. Keep them flat on a table (one on top of the other) until you need them
- Try to organise the pattern pieces as you need them, with the larger pieces at the bottom, dependent on the sewing project of course
- Interface any of your fabric pieces
- Neaten the necessary seams (e.g. plain / open) before you start constructing your garment
- Start sewing the smaller pieces first. This way you will get a real sense of achievement. Always work up to the bigger pieces and main body of the garment
- When you have completed each section of the garment, place to one side until required
- It is advisable to fit the garment at the half-way stage of making it up, to check that you are happy with the progress and fit of your work. Now is the time to make any alterations to correct what you are unhappy with
- When you have completed your sewing project, give your garment a final pressing
Please remember, if you have any questions or suggestions for future posts, simply write them in the comments box below. You can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook. You can also upload any of your fashion sewing project photo’s at ‘Sewing-ista’s Gallery‘.
Happy fashion sewing
Colleen G Lea
(read more about Colleen at ‘linkedin‘)
