Houses And Garden

Are You Sure You Know Where You Are Stitching When You Sew?

Author:Marian Lewis
Category:Crafts/Hobbies
Keywords:sewing, sew, stitching, fitting, sewing machines, sewing success, sewing instructions

Are  really  5/8'  or  it  more  less?

If  are  the  on  sewing  throat  I  to  you,  they aren't 5/8', etc.

The toes  your  presser  are  a  guide  1/4'  either.  them  and  will  that  are  more  1/4'.

There  one  to  that  know  and  is  'little foot' that  made  for  to  1/4'  straight  only.

Machines don't usually  with  foot.  is  special  narrow  foot.

The  on  machines  in  Why  your  marked  centimeters?  they  not  in  United  They  made  and  use  metric system.

Our sewing  and  are  inches.

To  sewing  we  stitch accurately.

We need  to  where  stitches  be.

We  'eyeball'  and  shouldn't  the  markings  you  stitching  inches.

I  that  lot  you  you  stitching  But,  would  you  double  to  sure.

Here  a  way  do that.

Drop your  down  measure  to  markings  your  machine  an  tape  Close  not  answer.  is.

I  recommend  you  your  so  you  a  guide  stitch accurately.

I don't  like  metal  type  guides  I  they  too    they are'nt really  I   I much prefer a flat piece of tape.

I always have a tape stitching guide on my machine. You can use any kind of tape you like for this.

Some tapes already have ruled markings on them. Or, you can mark your own. I cut a piece of tape about 2-1/2' long. The width of the tape I use is about 3/4' wide.

I place the top end of the tape straight out from the needle with the long edge of the tape 1/2' away from the needle. The tape extends down about 2' in front of the presser foot but still 1/2' from the needle.

Yes, I have to lift up the end of the tape to get into my bobbin, but that's OK. I would rather stitch accurately and save myself a lot of headaches later when things won't line up.

Then, I mark the tape at 5/8' for my seams. I make a mark at 1' also since I use that often.

Sometimes, I use a different color pen for each marking to distinguish one from the other.

The tape guide should be 2' in front of the presser foot so that you can start guiding your fabric along your stitching mark long before a stitch is made by the needle.

By the time the fabric gets to the needle, it is too late. You need to be guiding the fabric accurately long before it reaches the needle.

Watch the tape guide, not the needle!

With a tape stitching guide, you will see a great improvement in the accuracy of your stitching.

Other Helpful Tips

Usually, I use the 'little foot' for 1/4' seams.

When I need to sew 3/8' seams, I place tape or mark 3/8' directly on my machine to stitch necklines and curved areas.

Of course, I have previously trimmed the pattern to have only a 3/8'' seam there.

You will have much more control on curves if you use short stitches and a 3/8' seam allowance at your neckline edges.

Remember to prepare your patterns by trimming off 1/4' and leaving 3/8' before you cut out your garment. Make a note to yourself until you get into the habit of stitching necklines at 3/8' instead of 5/8'.

I use the edge of the tape placed at 1/2' from the needle for staystitching.

If I'm making a 3' or 4' hem in something, I will mark the bed of my machine to help me keep it straight.

Do whatever it takes to help you.

Don't be afraid to use tape stitching guides on your machine to help you stitch accurately.

It just makes sense!

Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor and the creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks.

In her ebook, 'Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants', find out step-by-step WHAT you really need, WHERE you really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern.

For more information, go to: => http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/fitting.html

Marian is also the author of other eBooks related to sewing including, 'Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids' where she teaches basic sewing techniques while you have fun doing it!

To learn more, go to: => http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html

To discover sewing and fitting secrets to achieve sewing success, follow the link: => http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com

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