The Sewing Room

strawberryfluff

Hello,
Firstly thank you for all the contributors to the Sewing Room. I'm a beginner and all the tips are really useful.

Today though I wonder if I can ask for some help with attaching a waistband please? I'm making a skirt and have managed to insert the zip and attach the waistband to the wrong side of the fabric, but I'm a bit stumped with how to top stitch it in place. The instructions seem to assume you have some experience and don't make much sense to me.
Can you top stitch with the sewing machine or do I have to do it by hand? What do I attach to where?
Does anyone know of a simple tutorial? I've done a search but couldn't find anything.

Appreciate any guidance, and thanks in advance.

Claire:)

danemi1

am I daft - I was amazed when I sw plumbs fabric at £1 a metre and thought it would sell out in seconds - am I mising something - hardly anyone has posted on the plumb thread and not a soul has remarked on it on here - is there something I dont know - hope not as I ordered 25 metres last night to play with

cuddles123

danemi1 wrote: »

am I daft - I was amazed when I sw plumbs fabric at £1 a metre and thought it would sell out in seconds - am I mising something - hardly anyone has posted on the plumb thread and not a soul has remarked on it on here - is there something I dont know - hope not as I ordered 25 metres last night to play with

I tried to order, but it said there was a problem.

danemi1

really? Wonder why - I ordered mine last night about 1030 - do you think there has maybe been a mistake?

Georgiabay

Claire, presuming the waistband is twice the finished depth, what I would do is sew the short ends together right sides facing then turn the right way. Then press under the seem allowance for the length of the waistband (to the wrong side) and pin it to the front of the skirt down to the row of stitching you have already done. Tack it then with the front facing you so you can see what you're doing, machine stitch close to the edge so you go through all the layers. I hope that makes sense. I've always done waistbands the other way by sewing to the front then folding it over and slip stitching it to the back but it's the same principle.

r.mac_2

strawberryfluff wrote: »

Hello,
Firstly thank you for all the contributors to the Sewing Room. I'm a beginner and all the tips are really useful.

Today though I wonder if I can ask for some help with attaching a waistband please? I'm making a skirt and have managed to insert the zip and attach the waistband to the wrong side of the fabric, but I'm a bit stumped with how to top stitch it in place. The instructions seem to assume you have some experience and don't make much sense to me.
Can you top stitch with the sewing machine or do I have to do it by hand? What do I attach to where?
Does anyone know of a simple tutorial? I've done a search but couldn't find anything.

Appreciate any guidance, and thanks in advance.

Claire:)

I'm halfway through making the skirt pattern in this months sew magazine. As far as I can make out you attach the waist band fabric right sides together then turn the fabric over and press/iron it into position. Then to top stitch you sew close to the seam you have just made. As far I know this is to secure it in place and also decorative, but I am sure someone with more experience will come along and say what I am trying to in much more simple and elegant terms!

23rdspiral

danemi1 wrote: »

am I daft - I was amazed when I sw plumbs fabric at £1 a metre and thought it would sell out in seconds - am I mising something - hardly anyone has posted on the plumb thread and not a soul has remarked on it on here - is there something I dont know - hope not as I ordered 25 metres last night to play with

sorry, i saw your link and had a look and then remembered that i've had a few samples from them before - they were good and quick and sent what i asked for.

however, the fabric they sell just isn't my thing. i'm more of a recycled-stitcher anyway, but they were poly cottons or thicker weight than i usually use.

there's a really pretty looking aqua with big pink and beige flowers which i hoped would be fab, but in person it's rather shiney... a bit too Hycanth Bucket if you get my meaning. i suppose it all depends on what you want it for. i wasnt wanting to make curtains or upholstery so i shouldn't, and didnt, complain!

25meters is a lot to play with! i'm looking forward to your makes - maybe you'll inspire me to get out of my comfort zome! :T

strawberryfluff

Thanks for your help regarding waistbands. You can tell I'm beginner because I have actually attached the waistband to the right side of the fabric, not the wrong side! I'll see how I get on, I guess I'm just a bit scared to go whizzing over it with the machine as my wonky stitching will be visible when I'm done. Ah well, that's what long t-shirts are for!
Thanks again.

danemi1

wow the phone has just rung - and a lady said this is plumbs - I thought oh no this is where they cancel - but no - they are out of stock of one fabric thats all so ringing to see if I want an alternative - apparently its fabrics that they are discontinuing - it all used to be about £20 a metre - it is now reduced to £1 - wow (no I am not on commission)

cuddles123

Have just ordered on the phone. Enough for 2 pairs of bedroom curtains, including delivery for £12.95 !!!