Do you want to know the secrets of good garment construction?
The BIGGEST fear for fashion sewers worldwide, is spending precious hours sat over a sewing machine, paying meticulous attention to each and every stitch only to produce a garment that looks and feels home-made.
You CAN make professional looking pieces. I know, because I HAVE done it!
There are many hurdles to jump in order to achieve that professional look! WRONG
It is true that you can purchase products and gadgets that aid in the construction process, and do perform better than others making life that little easier in whatever you’re making and YES, I do have my own preferential tools that I sometimes use, but above all else, its NOT about the gadget, its ALL about the SEWING TECHNIQUE!
For the beginner fashion sewers, the whole process of making a great and professional piece of clothing DOES NOT have to be daunting. The most important tool you will ever need is not that new, all expensive, one size fits all gadget that by tomorrow will be obsolete. In reality, simply put, all you need is a good quality STEAM IRON!
And we all have one of those! Right.
The FIRST RULE of FashionSewingBlog – Plan Your Projects!
• Cut or trace your pattern pieces – remember to use paper scissors.
• Do your pattern adjustments to lengthen or shorten the pieces.
• Pre-shrink your fabric(s) if you have to then press and lay the pattern pieces according to the grain line of your sewing pattern.
• Interface your fabric pieces. Click ‘here‘ to view a demonstration video on how this technique is done.
• Neaten any seams.
• Staystitch any area that is curved. Stitch inside the seam allowance about 0.7 cm.
• Always match up you notches / balance marks then baste or machine sew your work.
• Stitch length – Your sewing machine should be always be set between 2.5 and 3.
The SECOND RULE of FashionSewingBlog – Sew and Press!
• Sew press, sew press, and sew press…need I say more.
The THIRD RULE of FashionSewingBlog – Find Your Own Way!
• REMEMBER – there are no set rules which govern how you produce your work or how you perform any technique. The more you practice your skills, the more you develop a style that is comfortable for YOU.
Bare these handy little morsels in mind each and every time you begin a project, and I PROMISE, you will never go far from wrong!
Please remember, if you have any questions, simply write them in the comments box below. You can also follow me on Twitter or Facebook. You can also share your thoughts on this or any other post in my ‘Sewing-ista’s Gallery‘.
Happy fashion sewing
Colleen G Lea
