Patterns, Patterns
I realise that yesterday I committed the cardinal sin of blogging about my cat, with a photo. Isn’t that meant to be the worst thing you can do? There’s probably a tenth level of hell reserved just for that…
Since I won’t have much time to sew today I’m doing the next best thing, and trying to learn something. I want to attempt the top from the New Look pattern, but I am frightened. It’s a pattern. I’m scared of patterns. DK Sewing to the rescue!
Chapter two is all about patterns: how to use them, how to understand the back of the envelope, what pattern markings are for. This last one is a great help because I can understand straight lines (mostly) but I had no idea that a circle with a cross inside it marks the bust point or hipline. I’m such a newbie.
The next page is crucial. It’s all about taking accurate measurements of yourself. I’m loathe to do it because I’m not the slip of a girl I used to be but if I want my new top to fit properly, or at all, I’m going to have to do it. I spend so much time moaning in changing rooms about modern clothes making no allowance for busts that it seems ridiculous to just imagine my measurements. And yet I still don’t want to do it.
Pattern alterations make up a good bulk of the rest of the chapter. To be honest I’ve looked at the section on making bust alterations over and over and I’m not sure I understand why you would do any of them and what happens when you do except the last one, which is adjusting a curved seam for an increase. I suppose this is partly down to my own inexperience at dressmaking, and one day those illustrations will make sense. One day…
One thing the DK book doesn’t go into detail about is how to transfer the markings, so I found that article quite helpful. Armed with my new knowledge I’m going to take the plunge with the top. Luckily it only consists of two pieces – way to choose a first ‘proper’ project :)
My main inspiration for turning my hand to clothes for myself instead of items for other people was Stacy Sews who seems to be able to rustle up clothes so fast you never see her move. Great inspiration and a really good reviewer of patterns. Have a look if you don’t already know her.
Willing to be a beginner again...
You know, I’ve been trundling along with my 8 year old machine, very occasionally switching to a zipper foot and then back to the normal everything foot. It seemed like a simple life indeed.
But look at all these feet!
The picture is taken from the first chapter of the DK Sewing book, called ‘Tools for the Techniques’. It starts with the basics – pins, hand-sewing needles, scissors and works its way to how to use an overlocker, which was something I was completely in the dark about.
Other things I’ve learned so far:
- There are things called T-pins which stay in place better on open weave fabrics.
- ‘Sharps’, ‘betweens’ and ‘straws’ are all types of hand-sewing needle
- I could do with a liquid marking pen that washes out
- There is a thing called ‘stitching tape’ printed with coloured lines so that you sew in a straight line
- The mysteries of tension: “if the tension is too tight there is too little thread for a stitch; if it is too loose there is too much.”
- There are more feet available for sewing machines than I will ever learn to use: piping, pintuck, narrow hemmer, satin stitch, gathering, beading, embroidery, fringe, ribbon and sequin…and that’s not all
I’m sure that some of these things can be achieved without the necessary foot, but how much easier things become when you have the right tools! When I first got my rotary cutter and mat I was amazed I’d been managing with only scissors. I think that has been my major sewing equipment revelation of the last year – I’d love to know what yours have been.
Dorling Kindersley - King of Publishers
I’ve always loved the DK books for kids. Dinosaurs, transport, the human body – well-illustrated, thoughtfully explained, extraordinary value for all that research and expertise.
So, it really was easy to pick out The Complete Book of Sewing New Edition when I decided I wanted a good sewing reference. I realised I was going to start making more clothes for myself, as well as sewing more craft things, but it’s something I like doing at home, for fun. I’m a self taught sewer, and I do suffer from shyness when it comes to exposing my abilities or lack thereof. I didn’t want to take a class, but neither did I fancy firing up the internet everytime I came across something I didn’t understand.
Sometimes, you see, books are better.
I know, I know – I love the internets too, but sometimes you cannot beat leafing back and forward through a book and carrying said book to sit next to your sewing machine, and compare pictures and follow the steps to get it right.
Here’s the plan then – I’m going to go through the book chapter by chapter and tell you what, if anything, I learn, and how useful I think it is. Hopefully by the end of it you’ll have enough information to judge if it’s a book you might want for your collection.
