After I cut the excess fabric from the sleeves and put them in the cuffs, I found that the opening of the sleeves are wider than the top of the cuffs, so I couldn't match them . How can I slove this problem ?Thanks.
You can do so either way. However it is going to be easier if you sew the lining to the zipper first and then sew the zipper to the bag. This way you can sew the lining to the zipper tape by machine instead of doing it by hand after sewing the zipper to the bag .
If your lining is heavy it may make sewing the zipper to the bag hard, if you attach the lining to the zipper first. You need to decide which way works best for you.
Another way is to align the edge of the bag and the lining with the zipper tape in between, align the zipper tape with these edges as well, then you can sew a seam over all three by machine.
The bag doesn't have a zipper. I want to add a zipper and lining. Should I sew zipper and lining together first and then attach to the bag? Or I should sew the zipper to the bag and then add lining? You web site is very helpful. Thanks.
No problem, I see now what you are trying to make.
In terms of preparing your fabrics, you need to square the satin by drawing a thread and press it as well.
The bow needs to be cut on a true bias to give it a better bouncy shape just like your picture. Here are two chapters from the Dress Sewing with Pleated Skirt Video Lesson that show how to cut on a bias:
For spandex you can square it by using a straight angler ruler to draw a line at a 90 degree angle to the salvage and then cut the line. You don't need to press this fabric in advance.
Welcome to our site. Before you sew the fabric pieces together make sure that they are pinned right. What you need to do is pin at a straight angle to the edges of the fabric with the pin facing inwards. All the pins should be in the same direction and evenly spaced out. Pin the ends first then the middle and then in between again. On a straight seam the pins can be about 6 cm apart, on a curved seam about 3 cm apart.
Once you start sewing, remove the pins just before they go under the presser foot. As you guide the fabric be careful that you don't place the weight of your hands on the fabric layers. Doing this will cause the upper layer to slide or stretch, making it longer than the lower layer at the end of the seam.
To make double sure that the fabric won't slide you can also baste the two layers by hand before sewing by machine.
It is usually only necessary to attach the lining to the opening of the bag. For example where the zipper is sewn in. So in such a case you would single fold and sew the lining around the zipper tape. There is no need to attach the lining anywhere else inside the bag. You can use the slip stitch to join the lining to the zipper tape.
You can begin with the essential sewing lessons and then work on small projects such as cushion cover sewing and make-up pouch sewing. Then you can try garment alteration, pattern drafting and garment sewing.
If you watch and learn the measuring section of the pattern making videos, you can instruct a friend to take your measurements for you.
Alternately you can follow the instructions below when taking your own measurements for the harder to reach places.
Looking at the lessons where I take measurements, you can take most of the measurements needed yourself, using a mirror to make sure the measuring tape is positioned correctly. The only two measurements that may be hard to take are the back armpit distance and the back bodice length.
For the Back Armpit Distance, you take off your top and place about 10 cm of masking tape cross wise about 2 cm away from the starting end of the measuring tape. Then tape the measuring tape to your back at the armpit line. You can find a still image showing where to measure at the 3:09 mins location on theHow to measure for Bodice Pattern-making.
Look in the mirror and read the measurement.
You can also wrap the measuring tape around your body along the armpit line. The measuring tape should go over your arms as well. Place the starting end of the measuring tape over the rest, making a ring and tape it in place. Now rotate the measuring tape and place the starting point on the spot where we want to measure from, while looking in the mirror. See where the other side of the armpit line is along the measuring tape and read the number.
For the Back Bodice Length, first tie a ribbon around your waist as shown, then measure your front bodice length while looking in the mirror and write it down as show on 4:06 mins of the same chapter. Tape a new piece of masking tape on the measuring tape again as the old one may not stick to your body.
Now as I indicate in the How to measure for Bodice Pattern-making you need to measure from the shoulder line down to the bottom of the ribbon, however to make it easier you can measure from the bottom of the ribbon instead. Tape the measuring tape to your body as shown at the 4:36 mins and measure from the bottom of the ribbon up over your shoulder by your neck and down passing the bust point to the bottom of the ribbon on the front. Write down the measurement.
Now all you have to do is subtract the front measurement from the total measurement that you just took. This will give you the measurement for the back bodice length.
You can also measure by holding the start point of the measuring tape on the back from the bottom of the ribbon with one hand, then pass it over your shoulders and your bust point down to the bottom of the ribbon on the front and get the total measurement for the front and back. Then deduct the front measurement from it as before.
Again make sure to watch the video to measure from the spots I indicated on the body.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO SHORTEN A MAN'S SHORT SLEEVE. IT SEEMS TO STICK UP INSTEAD OF LYING DOWN ON ARM. SHOULD IT BE DONE AT ARM HOLE
Hi Nehzat,
Please give a priority to sleeve drafting as I have made an outfit and am waiting for the sleeves to be put in. Thanks dear!!!
Thanks rawaa
Dear sewsewmom,
There are two ways you can use to fit the shortened sleeve in the cuffs.
One way is to take in from the seam of the sleeves, the other is to increase the intake of the pleats or adding a new pleat.
If you have too much excess fabric you can use both ways at the same time.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Hi,
After I cut the excess fabric from the sleeves and put them in the cuffs, I found that the opening of the sleeves are wider than the top of the cuffs, so I couldn't match them . How can I slove this problem ?Thanks.
Very perfect and nice color
Dear sewsewmom,
You can do so either way. However it is going to be easier if you sew the lining to the zipper first and then sew the zipper to the bag. This way you can sew the lining to the zipper tape by machine instead of doing it by hand after sewing the zipper to the bag .
If your lining is heavy it may make sewing the zipper to the bag hard, if you attach the lining to the zipper first. You need to decide which way works best for you.
Another way is to align the edge of the bag and the lining with the zipper tape in between, align the zipper tape with these edges as well, then you can sew a seam over all three by machine.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear LadyMoonShine,
You there is no need to pre wash your materials.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Thank you for the reply. : ) That makes sense. Do I need to prewash them, or does the pressing take care of shrinking all by itself?
The bag doesn't have a zipper. I want to add a zipper and lining. Should I sew zipper and lining together first and then attach to the bag? Or I should sew the zipper to the bag and then add lining? You web site is very helpful. Thanks.
Dear LadyMoonShine,
No problem, I see now what you are trying to make.
In terms of preparing your fabrics, you need to square the satin by drawing a thread and press it as well.
The bow needs to be cut on a true bias to give it a better bouncy shape just like your picture. Here are two chapters from the Dress Sewing with Pleated Skirt Video Lesson that show how to cut on a bias:
17. Cutting Biased Fabric Strips for Spaghetti Straps
18. Cutting the Biased Fabric Strips for the Piping
For spandex you can square it by using a straight angler ruler to draw a line at a 90 degree angle to the salvage and then cut the line. You don't need to press this fabric in advance.
For spandex fabric you can use a stretch needle.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear sewsewmom,
Welcome to our site. Before you sew the fabric pieces together make sure that they are pinned right. What you need to do is pin at a straight angle to the edges of the fabric with the pin facing inwards. All the pins should be in the same direction and evenly spaced out. Pin the ends first then the middle and then in between again. On a straight seam the pins can be about 6 cm apart, on a curved seam about 3 cm apart.
Once you start sewing, remove the pins just before they go under the presser foot. As you guide the fabric be careful that you don't place the weight of your hands on the fabric layers. Doing this will cause the upper layer to slide or stretch, making it longer than the lower layer at the end of the seam.
To make double sure that the fabric won't slide you can also baste the two layers by hand before sewing by machine.
Hope this helps.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear sewsewmom,
It is usually only necessary to attach the lining to the opening of the bag. For example where the zipper is sewn in. So in such a case you would single fold and sew the lining around the zipper tape. There is no need to attach the lining anywhere else inside the bag. You can use the slip stitch to join the lining to the zipper tape.
Let me know if this helps,
Nehzat
Here it is!! I didn't realize the link went inactive. Sorry about that. ^^;
Dear LadyMoonShine,
I could not open the link where the picture is posted. If you could please post the link again or imbed the picture here in the discussion forum.
Thanks,
Nehzat
Dear Rawaa,
You can begin with the essential sewing lessons and then work on small projects such as cushion cover sewing and make-up pouch sewing. Then you can try garment alteration, pattern drafting and garment sewing.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear jeannemarie1,
Welcome to our site, you can watch the zipper sewing videos in the sewing essentials section.
For the type of thread you can use, the best thing is to see what thickness of thread was used for the previous zipper and try to find the same kind.
I suggest you use a jeans needle (14/90 or 16/100) since it is good for thick and dense fabrics and the large eye can accommodate thicker threads.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear Carla,
If you watch and learn the measuring section of the pattern making videos, you can instruct a friend to take your measurements for you.
Alternately you can follow the instructions below when taking your own measurements for the harder to reach places.
Looking at the lessons where I take measurements, you can take most of the measurements needed yourself, using a mirror to make sure the measuring tape is positioned correctly. The only two measurements that may be hard to take are the back armpit distance and the back bodice length.
For the Back Armpit Distance, you take off your top and place about 10 cm of masking tape cross wise about 2 cm away from the starting end of the measuring tape. Then tape the measuring tape to your back at the armpit line. You can find a still image showing where to measure at the 3:09 mins location on the How to measure for Bodice Pattern-making.
Look in the mirror and read the measurement.
You can also wrap the measuring tape around your body along the armpit line. The measuring tape should go over your arms as well. Place the starting end of the measuring tape over the rest, making a ring and tape it in place. Now rotate the measuring tape and place the starting point on the spot where we want to measure from, while looking in the mirror. See where the other side of the armpit line is along the measuring tape and read the number.
For the Back Bodice Length, first tie a ribbon around your waist as shown, then measure your front bodice length while looking in the mirror and write it down as show on 4:06 mins of the same chapter. Tape a new piece of masking tape on the measuring tape again as the old one may not stick to your body.
Now as I indicate in the How to measure for Bodice Pattern-making you need to measure from the shoulder line down to the bottom of the ribbon, however to make it easier you can measure from the bottom of the ribbon instead. Tape the measuring tape to your body as shown at the 4:36 mins and measure from the bottom of the ribbon up over your shoulder by your neck and down passing the bust point to the bottom of the ribbon on the front. Write down the measurement.
Now all you have to do is subtract the front measurement from the total measurement that you just took. This will give you the measurement for the back bodice length.
You can also measure by holding the start point of the measuring tape on the back from the bottom of the ribbon with one hand, then pass it over your shoulders and your bust point down to the bottom of the ribbon on the front and get the total measurement for the front and back. Then deduct the front measurement from it as before.
Again make sure to watch the video to measure from the spots I indicated on the body.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear bobbi58,
Welcome to our site. I hope that you can learn about garment sewing and alteration and share new tips and skills with your mom along the way.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear lovelylove
Happy to see that you successfuly drafted your pattern and sewed a top. Looking forward to seeing your work in the gallery or here.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear nonie615,
Thanks for the kind words and welcome to our site. I hope we can continue and provide you with lessons that can teach you new skills.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Cool looking top, I like the color combination.
Thanks. It was fun to make. I look forward to seeing your makeup bag.
You're welcome !
I have made my first torso pattern, and made a top with a fabric I tie& dyed first. I'm really happy about the result ! Will post a picture.
Thank you Nehzat
Love the dress! Was it difficult to make?