The Sewing Room

rosalie-lavender

dizzytina wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I am after some help from all you advanced seamstresses:D. I am attempting my first McCalls pattern which is a dress for my daughter. I have cut all the pieces out and am ready to start but i am finding the instructions really confusing:eek:.

First daft question fuse interface - does that mean i iron it to the back of my material?

Second daft question what the hell is yoke and selvage?:o

lats daft question. the instructions say cut notches outward. i'm guessing the notches are the 2 triangles together and if so they are pointing inwards on the pattern (if that makes sense)

The pattern i picked is supposed to be easy but i feel like i am never going to be able to do it:o

Help anyone please???

1. Fuse interfacing means what you say iron the interfacing onto the back of the fabric. That is assuming you have bought iron on interfacing, it will look shiny on one side if it is. I reccomend putting a cloth over the ironing board first to stop any of the glue making the ironing board sticky.

2. Selvedge is the outside edge of the fabric.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selvage

http://www.trueup.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/selvedge.jpg

I've found a couple of links with pictures in to help.

A yoke is usually a fairly small piece that other parts attach to. A pinafore type dress often has a yoke at the top.

The yoke in this dress in in contrast lace.

http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Lace-Yoke-Shirred-Waist-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=846708

yes the notches are the triangle bits. I actually cut my notches inward as little nicks but until you are more confident I would cut them outwards. Just cut little triangles opposite the triangles marked on the pattern. They are to help you line up the pattern pieces and to help show which bits go together.

I have been sewing for years but still sometimes wonder what the instructions are on about so you are not alone.

Post a link to the pattern if you can and if you get stuck I will try to help.

Mc Calls patterns are on this site.

http://www.sewdirect.com/acatalog/McCall_s_Spotlight.html

whoopidoo

jollymummy wrote: »

Thanks girls. That's great Whoopido, thanks. Don't forget to post a pic of your duckies - if you see what I mean

Will do but they aren't sewn ones - they are altered rubber duckies - will def post though.

Kandipandi

Feeling a bit better today and started sewing again. Had a tummy bug and the motion of the machine made me feel even more sickly!
But I have been making more makeup bags and a taggie blanket for my soon to be born niece, will post pics later.

PepPop

Glad you're feeling better today Kandi. Hopefully your sewing will take your mind off it.

I'm off out to the cinema and when I get back I've got my nice new shiney printer to set up and an anniversary card to make. Then I can finally get back to my denim bag

Kandipandi

PepPop wrote: »

Glad you're feeling better today Kandi. Hopefully your sewing will take your mind off it.

I'm off out to the cinema and when I get back I've got my nice new shiney printer to set up and an anniversary card to make. Then I can finally get back to my denim bag

Thanks PepPop.

I went mad and bought 4 cards today and I have a box upstairs of card making bits - I am a bit mad at myself to be honest!

Hope you enjoy your night out.

This is what I made yesterday, a taggie for my soon to be born Niece, it was a fleece blanket from poundland and the side off one flanelnette pillowcase, its mega soft, I just hope it washes ok and keeps its shape with the cheap fleece. If it goes funny I'll just have to make another one!
I need to make another one for my soon to be born Nephew, just my niece is due first.



Wow sorry forgot to alter the size down!

Kandipandi

Ohh forgot to add the makeup bags I have made from my scraps, again I used the tilda sew pretty homestyle pattern but didn't leave a seam allowance so they are quite compact, but I prefer them smaller, they still fit all my bits and they fit in my handbag better.

My DH asked if I was starting a business and wants to know what I am planning to do with these bits I keep making, and I'm not sure myself.
Guess for now I will put them into my present box and dish them out as and when it is someone's birthday or christmas, just enjoying making stuff at the minute.

in-the-beach-hut

Kandipandi wrote: »

This is what I made yesterday, a taggie for my soon to be born Niece, it was a fleece blanket from poundland and the side off one flanelnette pillowcase, its mega soft, I just hope it washes ok and keeps its shape with the cheap fleece. If it goes funny I'll just have to make another one!
I need to make another one for my soon to be born Nephew, just my niece is due first.



Wow sorry forgot to alter the size down!

This is just gorgeous - bet new baby (and her mummy) will love it :T

Alimarcle

Kandipandi I love your taggy and the make up bags!:T:T
I'd love to try one of the bags and have the pattern but have never put in a zip before! Is it as fiddly as I imagine it will be?

positivelymummy

Kandipandi, if you dont know what to do with your bags, put them on folksy! they're gorgeous!:T

flossie217

Hi everyone. I'd love to join your sewing thread. I bought my machine last year so I'm still learning. I'm really enjoying reading and seeing all your projects. I made a Tilda bunny from the Easter book for my sister and will try to get it on here for you to see. That might take a while as I'm rubbish at this sort of thing.
I haven't read the thread all the way through yet so if I repeat anything that has already been suggested please forgive me.
For beginners - peg bag. Take a childs shirt (size depending on how big you want your peg bag), turn inside out and sew along the bottom. Turn right way out and put hanger back in. Simple as that.

I made these reversible bags for Christmas pressies and they turned out really nice http://www.ehow.com/video_4438348_introduction-making-own-tote-bag.html
it's the start off a series of step by step videos to making a tote bag which I found useful as a beginner - and yes, I did sew the handles inside the bag on my first go.
ehow.com is a good source of information for showing how to put in zips, quilting etc.

Looking forward to sharing ideas with you.