Tag: Sewing step-by-step

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Binding the T-Shirt neck with a rib trim.

T-Shirt neck, casual dress or pj’s top, this is one useful techniques to have in your skill library. There are quite a few ways to finish a raw edge of knitted fabric. Depending on you equipment and experience your can go with an overlock, top stitcher or use just a sewing machine.

Cutting your rib trim band, go slightly shorter then a neck opening. How much shorter will depend on the stretch of your fabric and design. This is probably the trickiest part of the whole process.  Make the neckband too long and the neckline will look overstretched and untidy. Too small neckband will pull and distort the entire garment out of shape. Finished neckband should lay flat and look like an integral part of the T-shirt. There is no universal advice as each fabric combination is slightly different. You can try to pin the neck band in place to get the idea of an optimal length and make adjustments accordingly.

How to finish a stretch fabric with a rib trim using a top stitcher

Continue reading Binding the T-Shirt neck with a rib trim.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

How to make a perfectly smooth curved seams.

To make curved seams lie flat when stitched they need to be treated in a special way and it differs for concave and convex curves.

For concave (inward) arch slit seam allowance 3/4 way to the stitching line. It will let the fabric to spread without pulling and tagging.

Sewing convex curve

Continue reading How to make a perfectly smooth curved seams.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Sewing instructions for classic circle skirt.

Sewing circle skirt is not a time consuming project, this makes it a popular choice for home seamstress. There is only four techniques you have to be familiar with: how to sew a curved hem, insert a zipper, attach a waistband and cut a buttonhole.

1. Cutting circle skirt.

  • Cutting a circle skirt can be done in one, two or three pieces, depending on the design and fabric width. When fabric is wide enough it is done in one piece. Since there are no seams you  will have to  use a welt or exposed zipper method.Cutting a circle skirt in one piece

Continue reading Sewing instructions for classic circle skirt.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Centered zipper step-by-step. Method 2

There are usually more ways then one to do things. Centered zipper is not an exclusion. If with the fist method the top stitching played both utilitarian and decorative roles, in this method there is a separate stitch for each function.

Step 1

Right sides together sew the seam leaving the zipper opening unstitched.

 How to sew a centred zipper. Alternative method.

Continue reading Centered zipper step-by-step. Method 2

Posted on by — Leave a comment

10 ways to hem a dress.

Hemline is an integral part of the garment and completes the look of your dress. The method you are going to use to hem a dress should be decided on a early stage of the designing process. There are many varieties to chose from. Here are 10 most common ways to hem a dress using sewing machine, overlock and top stitching machine.

1. Double-folded hem.

The raw edge is folded under the seam.  This is a very versatile hem. Can be any width and might be used on majority of fabrics and with most designs.

How to hem a dress Note:

When the design calls for a narrow hem, use hemming foot. Most modern machines come with the “rolled hem” presser foot included in the standard package. It is a very useful, time saving tool, if you are willing to practice a little bit.

 

 

Continue reading 10 ways to hem a dress.