If you are now learning to sew, then you know it can be a lot of fun, but also very frustrating! Indeed, sewing takes some patience and plenty of practice to get good. If you need help with keeping things steady under the machine, here is some insight on how to sew a straight edge without difficulty.
A guideline is something that even professionals use. Indeed, after enough time and practice, most people will learn to gauge measurements and distances that they use frequently, such as seam allowances. However, it always helps a little extra to have some sort of guideline to determine how accurate the measurement is.
One technique to help stitch in a straight line is to mark the line on the fabric being sewn. This can be done using a tailor's chalk, which is visible during a project and is easily wiped off without damaging the fabric. It is always best to use a color that is easily noticeable, but not so much so that it would be a problem if any remained on the fabric. Some people also choose to mark the wrong side of the fabric just to be safe. This marked line can then be followed right under the needle as the stitch line.
Along with tailor's chalk, there is a tracing paper used by those who sew, which essentially does the same thing. The paper is placed under the fabric and then the pattern is traced over the fabric with a tracing wheel to transfer the necessary markings. Because marking some fabrics could be risky, professional sewers often choose to use thread to trace any pattern lines. This takes longer, but it is undoubtedly one of the best methods in terms of accuracy.
In order to trace using thread, you stitch by hand a running stitch using long stitches that will stay in place during handling, but will pull out easily once you are done. This is great for long term projects that require a lot of handling, where chalk could get rubbed off. It is also great for people who need to use very differently colored thread in order to be able to see the lines properly.
Making running stitches through the fabric can be done on a single layer to trace the pattern or through two layers of fabric. Doing it through two or more layers of fabric holds them together loosely as if already sewn. This is called 'basting'. Basting is a good way to check for any mistakes during a fitting before running the final stitches on a garment or piece of work, which can be a bother to pull out if there is a mistake.
You can sew a straight edge without marking your fabric in any way, too. Using a magnet as a guide is a quick, easy and effective way to work for every project. You simply place the magnet where you want the edge to fall and then line up the edge to the magnet when stitching.
It is difficult to go wrong with a magnetic guide, but for those who don't like having the bulk of the magnet in the way or for home machines that have plastic parts, placing a long piece of tape vertically across the machine bed where necessary acts as a perfect guideline for stitching. Follow a perfectly straight line by lining the fabric edge up to the tape edge while stitching.
A guideline is something that even professionals use. Indeed, after enough time and practice, most people will learn to gauge measurements and distances that they use frequently, such as seam allowances. However, it always helps a little extra to have some sort of guideline to determine how accurate the measurement is.
One technique to help stitch in a straight line is to mark the line on the fabric being sewn. This can be done using a tailor's chalk, which is visible during a project and is easily wiped off without damaging the fabric. It is always best to use a color that is easily noticeable, but not so much so that it would be a problem if any remained on the fabric. Some people also choose to mark the wrong side of the fabric just to be safe. This marked line can then be followed right under the needle as the stitch line.
Along with tailor's chalk, there is a tracing paper used by those who sew, which essentially does the same thing. The paper is placed under the fabric and then the pattern is traced over the fabric with a tracing wheel to transfer the necessary markings. Because marking some fabrics could be risky, professional sewers often choose to use thread to trace any pattern lines. This takes longer, but it is undoubtedly one of the best methods in terms of accuracy.
In order to trace using thread, you stitch by hand a running stitch using long stitches that will stay in place during handling, but will pull out easily once you are done. This is great for long term projects that require a lot of handling, where chalk could get rubbed off. It is also great for people who need to use very differently colored thread in order to be able to see the lines properly.
Making running stitches through the fabric can be done on a single layer to trace the pattern or through two layers of fabric. Doing it through two or more layers of fabric holds them together loosely as if already sewn. This is called 'basting'. Basting is a good way to check for any mistakes during a fitting before running the final stitches on a garment or piece of work, which can be a bother to pull out if there is a mistake.
You can sew a straight edge without marking your fabric in any way, too. Using a magnet as a guide is a quick, easy and effective way to work for every project. You simply place the magnet where you want the edge to fall and then line up the edge to the magnet when stitching.
It is difficult to go wrong with a magnetic guide, but for those who don't like having the bulk of the magnet in the way or for home machines that have plastic parts, placing a long piece of tape vertically across the machine bed where necessary acts as a perfect guideline for stitching. Follow a perfectly straight line by lining the fabric edge up to the tape edge while stitching.
About the Author:
Teach your kids how to sew a straight edge by following our instructions online. To get started today visit our useful website at http://sewingkids.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment