By SewMagical
As embroiders, many of our projects are done using ready-made items such as T-shirts, tote bags, and towels. Sometimes, though, we need to use fabric to create the item we need. If you have been sewing for a while, you may well be familiar with many of the techniques and steps involved. However, if you are new to the world of creating with fabric, some of the methods may seem like madness to you!
Instructions for sewing projects often include steps .such as “press and turn”, “trim seams”, and “clip corners and curves” . Ever wonder why these directions are there? They can take extra time, Why bother paying attention to these messages? This week I will show you the difference in the results between following those steps and ignoring them.
Turning Curves
Curves usually look better when they are smooth and rounded. To get that result, reduce the length of your machine stitch on the curve. Here’s why: each stitch is actually a tiny piece of a straight line. It is easier to follow the line of a curve when you have many small “straight lines” (your stitches) than to have fewer, larger ones.
After you have stitched your curved seam, press the seam. This helps “set” the stitches and give a better appearance. If you turn your curve right side out at this point, you will get a result something like this.
While this result is not too bad, there is a simple step you can take take to improve the appearance. Take small clips in the seam allowance, being careful not to cut through your stitches.
Space them about an inch or so apart. Make the clips closer together on a large, gradual curve, closer together on tight curves. Now when you turn the fabric right side out, you will have a nice smooth curve.
If your curve is on a small piece,
especially if you have a thick fabric, you might think it will be harder to work with
If that is the case, use a variation of the above technique. Cut small triangles out of the seam allowance.
This will help give you a good result.
Removing the triangles helps reduce the bulk, which is important when you have a small area.
Getting the Point on Corners
When a blouse or vest has a squared-off neckline, you will find an inside corner.
Trying to turn this right-side-out can seem to be impossible at first glance.
By making a clip in the seam allowance at an angle going to the corner
and trimming the seam, you can get a nice short inside corner.
A handbag or purse, or even the opening of a blouse may have a corner. To help get a crisp point, don’t stitch the seam at a 90-degree angle. Instead, take a 2 or 3 stitches at an angle.
When you trim the seam, press, and turn, the result will be a nice crisp point.
So, why bother? Because, just as in everything else in our lives – we care. We care enough to do things correctly and to the best of our ability.
Very good advice!! I will be more intent in following those directions.
I’ve been sewing for a long time and have learnt the ‘hard way’ not to skip these steps…If a thing is worth doing, it is certainly worth doing properly the first time..thank you for the tips, especially the last one.
I’ve been sewing for over fifty years and learned the trick if sewing an angle at a corner. I can’t wait to try this.
Thank you for the neat sewing work including explanation and sharp photographs. They are very helpful to me, an old guy new to sewing by old to machines and things. …
Vince J. Arcuri
My motto in life is “It’s always worth the effort!”. Whenever you feel like saying, “Why bother?” I say it is worth the effort, whether it is that good deed you feel you ought to do, that phone call you chould make, whatever it is. And here is another example …. It’s ALWAYS worth the effort.
Thanks for the lessons, it really help demonstrate why we bother.
Thank you. Sometimes reminders slow us down when we get on a roll and I can always learn something new.
Thank you for your time saving tips, they are very helpful even for those of us that have been sewing for a while
Great advice, probably the one of the most important tips I learned over the years
Thank you so much. While I knew the importance of triming and clipping, I never knew to shorten my stitch length while doing the curves.
Thank you all for the positive comments. Your reactions are part of the reason I write the articles!
Thanks for the info, those are things I’ve learned as I’ve progressed in my sewing. It helps to show what happens if you don’t follow those tips. It’s nice to have a refresher now and then.
These are great reminders! One other thing I have learned, for inside corners, is to sew a second line of stitching on top of the first with short stitches, 1/2″ from the corner to 1/2″ past the corner, just in case your fabric has a bit of a loose weave. That reinforces the corner before you clip down into it.
Thank you for the photos and reminding us of the -
insider tips – sorry for the pun!
Very good advice-just these simple techniques make or break a project! I also always say, the iron is a seamstress’s “best” friend, don’t be afraid to use it.
This was so good to see. I am pleased that my mother taught me all these things over 50 years ago!! Her other great tip was to iron each seam as you go along. Thank you.