Right now we do not have a lesson on how to make button loops. However here is a link that explains how to make button loops. If you need to install a reader to view the PDF file, you can get it here .
If you watch the T-Shirt Remodeling and the Sweater Remodeling Video Lessons you can get an idea of what kind of stitches we can use. Practice the stitches on a piece of your fabric to test the best settings.
Measure the distance from your waistline to the area of your thigh which is the largest. What ever this distance measure it down from the waistline on your pattern, both on the front and the back.
Then draw a line parallel to the lower hipline on both patterns. Extend the line from the side seams.
Divide the difference between the lower hip circumference and the circumference of the spot which is largest on your thigh by 4. You divide by 4 since your patterns are only one half of the front and one half of the back.
Measure out one fourth of the difference along the side seams on the front and back patterns and mark.
Next draw a line up from this mark and merge it gradually with the side seam on the front and back patterns. Then draw a straight line down from the mark to the hemline, parallel to the side seam, again on the front and back patterns.
In the skirt block pattern lesson we tapered the skirt according to the position of the lower hipline. In this case you need to taper the patterns based on the position of the new line you have drawn parallel to the lower hipline.
Thanks for the kind words. If you are using a ready made pattern and the grain line placement is as you are presenting it here, you can move your pattern to the top left and down, this way your grain line will be parallel to the bias line on the fabric.
Yes, you need to cut four panels on bias for the lining as well.
Yes, cut the lining shorter so that the finished skirt has the lining about 2 to 3 cm shorter than the shell.
Yes, only attach the lining to the waistline and around the zipper.
The rolled hem technique works well on light fabrics, so if your shell is also light you can roll its hem.
This is a problem that will affect your finished work. Either the pattern will look right but the dress will fall awkwardly or the dress will fall nicely on the body but the pattern will look off.
You need to choose which is more important or try returning the fabric as it is defective and this should help you, as usually stores do not let you return cut fabric.
You should be brave and try your hand at it. Make sure to square the fabric as i show, by pulling on a thread and cutting along the line it forms. Click here for one example.
When you fold the fabric to lay the pattern on it, use more pins than usual. Make sure that the edges of the fabric are parallel to the square edges of the table. Also when you are pinning the fabric pieces together pin closer together. The pins should be at a straight angle to the cut edge of the fabric.
To make sewing satin easier by machine, you can hand baste the seams first, this will keep the layers from sliding on each other.
To finish the raw edge on satin you can use zigzag stitches or a serger.
I wish you a speedy recovery and hope that your rehabilitation goes smoothly. We try to make our lessons easy to follow and provide detailed instructions so that everyone can be successful in their projects.
When opening the seams to do the alteration, pay attention to the way that the jacket is constructed so that you can replicate it. Taking pictures will help a lot.
There are a few different price ranges for dress forms. I have a few myself as you have seen in the videos. Usually the more expensive ones are better in quality and shape. I am not sure what you would use the dress form for. However for personal use they are not as necessary, since you can just try on the garment yourself or on someone else.
You can make you own dress form as well, using duct tape, but you need someone to help you. These dress forms can have your exact measurements if made well. Even the best dress forms can not be this exact.
Unless you make your living on sewing, you wont need to purchase different size dress forms.
Our block pattern does not include ease. Usually knitted fabric stretch either in two directions or four directions, if you want the garment to be fitted you need to make the pattern a bit smaller.
If you fabric stretches in two directions, this stretch is usually places width wise, so you need to decrease just the width of the pattern. If your fabric stretches four ways, you will need to decrease from the width as well as the height of the pattern.
Make sure to place the side that stretches the most along the width of the garment.
The technique I use to do this is to draw narrow strips along the width and/or the length of my pattern which are spread evenly apart. Then I would fold the strips in on themselves. This way the pattern can shrink evenly without affecting it's over all shape. Then I would smooth out the lines of the pattern.
The width of the stripes depends on the amount of stretch in your fabric.
If you intend to sew a dress with just two darts on the front and back, then you need to leave out chapters 10 and 11 as you said. But if you like you can have four darts in the front and four on the back as well. Usually when we are sewing a dress and need to add some ease, we can leave out the shorter darts to do this.
And like you said, you need to add the seam allowances and cut out the pattern after joining it to the bodice pattern, if your dress does not have a seam at the waistline.
If you plan to adjust the standard chart measurements, I suggest you choose the one with the waist circumference closest to your moms. 44 or higher, then you can adjust it.
The other solution is to draft a pattern for your mom using her actual measurements. We have a lesson covering this topic, including how to adjust the pattern for a few different styles and body shapes.
See if changing your needle and thread to a thinner one makes any difference. Change the thread for both the top and bobbin threads. Check to make sure the needle is not blunt.
Also try increasing the stitch length (distance between zigzag stitches) and decreasing the width of the stitches.
If this does not help, you may need to take your machine to a technician.
Thanks for the tips. I'm glad I found your website. I attached a first draft of the skirt flared panel. Does it look okay? I also have a few more questions.
Do I need to cut four panels of lining on the bias as well?
Is it a good idea to cut the lining a little shorter than the shell so it doesn't show when I wear it.
Is the lining qoing to be attached to the shell by the waistline and zipper only?
I will use rolled hem technique on the shell and lining.
I am also interested in your opinion of dressforms. Will it be worth buying one? Do I need an expensive one? Would I have to buy one for each size? Have you seen the videos on youtube showing how to make your own dressform with duct tape, and if so what do you think about it?
This is a skirt with four flared panels which is cut on a bias.
You need to draft only one panel and cut four panels pieces on bias out of your fabric. Since the skirt should have side seams as well. You can tell this because the plaid pattern stripes are at an angle at the sides. If there was no side seams the plaid pattern would fall straight down at the sides.
So you need to draft or use a flared pattern for this skirt. Make sure that the stripes match when you cut and sew the skirt.
I've been having the same problem. Lowering the thread tension (even to the lowest setting possible) didn't not help! The zig zag stitich forms a tunnel on the fabric. This is worse when sewing on single layered fabric. The bobbin case in my machine is not removable, so I'm not sure if I can play with the bobbin thread tension.
Dear Nadia,
Right now we do not have a lesson on how to make button loops. However here is a link that explains how to make button loops. If you need to install a reader to view the PDF file, you can get it here .
To learn how to cut bias strips out of fabric, you can view it here on our site Cutting Biased Fabric Strips for the Spaghetti Straps and Cutting the Biased Fabric Strips for the Piping. The technique is the same as when you need to cut bias strips for the button loops, except you will need to cut the strips narrower.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
I really like this. Its so different. I would have never thought to put this combination together. I am going to try this.
janet
I love this....I hope I can make something this beautiful someday, and I am glad also that walmart is bringing the fabric back ;-)
janet
My, oh, my, what a wonderful and talented mother your beautiful daughter has! Lovely dress!
you have a beautiful helper....and your clothes are nice too ;-)
janet
Thank you for your precious informations.
Dear jeannemarie1,
If you watch the T-Shirt Remodeling and the Sweater Remodeling Video Lessons you can get an idea of what kind of stitches we can use. Practice the stitches on a piece of your fabric to test the best settings.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear Kathleen,
Measure the distance from your waistline to the area of your thigh which is the largest. What ever this distance measure it down from the waistline on your pattern, both on the front and the back.
Then draw a line parallel to the lower hipline on both patterns. Extend the line from the side seams.
Divide the difference between the lower hip circumference and the circumference of the spot which is largest on your thigh by 4. You divide by 4 since your patterns are only one half of the front and one half of the back.
Measure out one fourth of the difference along the side seams on the front and back patterns and mark.
Next draw a line up from this mark and merge it gradually with the side seam on the front and back patterns. Then draw a straight line down from the mark to the hemline, parallel to the side seam, again on the front and back patterns.
In the skirt block pattern lesson we tapered the skirt according to the position of the lower hipline. In this case you need to taper the patterns based on the position of the new line you have drawn parallel to the lower hipline.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear Enas,
Thanks for the kind words. If you are using a ready made pattern and the grain line placement is as you are presenting it here, you can move your pattern to the top left and down, this way your grain line will be parallel to the bias line on the fabric.
Yes, you need to cut four panels on bias for the lining as well.
Yes, cut the lining shorter so that the finished skirt has the lining about 2 to 3 cm shorter than the shell.
Yes, only attach the lining to the waistline and around the zipper.
The rolled hem technique works well on light fabrics, so if your shell is also light you can roll its hem.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear enasokab,
This is a problem that will affect your finished work. Either the pattern will look right but the dress will fall awkwardly or the dress will fall nicely on the body but the pattern will look off.
You need to choose which is more important or try returning the fabric as it is defective and this should help you, as usually stores do not let you return cut fabric.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear nicgir,
You should be brave and try your hand at it. Make sure to square the fabric as i show, by pulling on a thread and cutting along the line it forms. Click here for one example.
When you fold the fabric to lay the pattern on it, use more pins than usual. Make sure that the edges of the fabric are parallel to the square edges of the table. Also when you are pinning the fabric pieces together pin closer together. The pins should be at a straight angle to the cut edge of the fabric.
To make sewing satin easier by machine, you can hand baste the seams first, this will keep the layers from sliding on each other.
To finish the raw edge on satin you can use zigzag stitches or a serger.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear Carmen,
I wish you a speedy recovery and hope that your rehabilitation goes smoothly. We try to make our lessons easy to follow and provide detailed instructions so that everyone can be successful in their projects.
Wish you the best, and happy sewing,
Nehzat
Thank you dear Nehzat.
Dear noussa,
There are differences in the patterns between men's and women's jackets. But the essential sewing steps are the same.
Men's jackets have a different way of applying the interfacing, since they are more structured.
You can watch the Jacket and Coat Alteration: Shoulder Shortening and Shoulder Pad and the Jacket & Coat Alteration: Plain Sleeve Shortening to get a better idea on jacket sleeve alteration.
When opening the seams to do the alteration, pay attention to the way that the jacket is constructed so that you can replicate it. Taking pictures will help a lot.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear glennas,
There are a few different price ranges for dress forms. I have a few myself as you have seen in the videos. Usually the more expensive ones are better in quality and shape. I am not sure what you would use the dress form for. However for personal use they are not as necessary, since you can just try on the garment yourself or on someone else.
You can make you own dress form as well, using duct tape, but you need someone to help you. These dress forms can have your exact measurements if made well. Even the best dress forms can not be this exact.
Unless you make your living on sewing, you wont need to purchase different size dress forms.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear Atan,
Our block pattern does not include ease. Usually knitted fabric stretch either in two directions or four directions, if you want the garment to be fitted you need to make the pattern a bit smaller.
If you fabric stretches in two directions, this stretch is usually places width wise, so you need to decrease just the width of the pattern. If your fabric stretches four ways, you will need to decrease from the width as well as the height of the pattern.
Make sure to place the side that stretches the most along the width of the garment.
The technique I use to do this is to draw narrow strips along the width and/or the length of my pattern which are spread evenly apart. Then I would fold the strips in on themselves. This way the pattern can shrink evenly without affecting it's over all shape. Then I would smooth out the lines of the pattern.
The width of the stripes depends on the amount of stretch in your fabric.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear Agnes,
If you intend to sew a dress with just two darts on the front and back, then you need to leave out chapters 10 and 11 as you said. But if you like you can have four darts in the front and four on the back as well. Usually when we are sewing a dress and need to add some ease, we can leave out the shorter darts to do this.
And like you said, you need to add the seam allowances and cut out the pattern after joining it to the bodice pattern, if your dress does not have a seam at the waistline.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear RKS2012,
If you plan to adjust the standard chart measurements, I suggest you choose the one with the waist circumference closest to your moms. 44 or higher, then you can adjust it.
The other solution is to draft a pattern for your mom using her actual measurements. We have a lesson covering this topic, including how to adjust the pattern for a few different styles and body shapes.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear Atan,
Yes we are planning to make a video covering this subject.
Thanks for the suggestion,
Nehzat
Dear Enas,
See if changing your needle and thread to a thinner one makes any difference. Change the thread for both the top and bobbin threads. Check to make sure the needle is not blunt.
Also try increasing the stitch length (distance between zigzag stitches) and decreasing the width of the stitches.
If this does not help, you may need to take your machine to a technician.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Hi Nehzat,
Thanks for the tips. I'm glad I found your website. I attached a first draft of the skirt flared panel. Does it look okay? I also have a few more questions.
Do I need to cut four panels of lining on the bias as well?
Is it a good idea to cut the lining a little shorter than the shell so it doesn't show when I wear it.
Is the lining qoing to be attached to the shell by the waistline and zipper only?
I will use rolled hem technique on the shell and lining.
Hi Nehzat,
I am also interested in your opinion of dressforms. Will it be worth buying one? Do I need an expensive one? Would I have to buy one for each size? Have you seen the videos on youtube showing how to make your own dressform with duct tape, and if so what do you think about it?
Thanks
Janet
Dear Enas,
This is a skirt with four flared panels which is cut on a bias.
You need to draft only one panel and cut four panels pieces on bias out of your fabric. Since the skirt should have side seams as well. You can tell this because the plaid pattern stripes are at an angle at the sides. If there was no side seams the plaid pattern would fall straight down at the sides.
So you need to draft or use a flared pattern for this skirt. Make sure that the stripes match when you cut and sew the skirt.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Dear Ernestine,
Welcome to our site, I hope that you can pursue you passion in sewing and benefit from our lessons.
Happy sewing,
Nehzat
Hi Nehzat,
I've been having the same problem. Lowering the thread tension (even to the lowest setting possible) didn't not help! The zig zag stitich forms a tunnel on the fabric. This is worse when sewing on single layered fabric. The bobbin case in my machine is not removable, so I'm not sure if I can play with the bobbin thread tension.
Enas