Sewing machines have their own bobbin type, and using another type can break/catch/knot the threads.
Adding extra seam allowance is a good way of dealing with loose threads by double folding seams before sewing. However, it does thicken the fabric quite a bit, so be sure to do this only on straight long edges. Plus, it increases the size and does add a little more complexity to sewing.
Certain parts of a shirt are going to have a learning curve. Don’t worry if you mix different pattern types as you go.
It’s not a bad idea to add extra length to the plackets (front facings). It’s easier to cut them shorter than it is to sew smaller areas (for a beginner).
Use snaps instead of buttons. This can help if the machine isn’t great at working with buttons and button holes.
Ok, decided to start this, both for my poor addled brain, and maybe, just maybe it’ll help someone down the road,
Need food, so I’ve got time to move things over.
Here is the fabric I’m using, to which I had marked out the left and right front shirt patterns with regular chalk.
I had used my clear ruler to match up the top and left right positions as much as possible.
Thoughts so far:
I did plan out the seam allowance, however, I didn’t plan out the button area. So it will not be as aligned as I had hoped, heh.
The empty space in the first image can be used for making the pocket, and perhaps pockets for up to two more shirts.
Working on the back:
Using the ruler of the cutting mat, and the clear ruler, I moved the fabric til the feet of one of the dinosaurs matched up with the lower same dinosaur. Then I folded over the fabric and did the same thing with another dinosaur.
With a tailor’s clapper I made I pressed the crease double checking the position of the dinosaurs from both sides, and once I was comfortable with the positioning, I then used the iron to press the crease fully.
Also, I’m not being overly picky about the back aligning with the front. So I’m just doing it as is.
Setting the pocket position for cutting:
Here I used the clear ruler and two needles placed into the pocket location to match up the pattern as best as possible.
Before starting on the shirt, I had sewn a zigzag around the entire edge of the fabric to keep it from fraying during the pre-washing to pre-shrink the fabric. That worked quite well.
AIMR
(Linda -In the year 2025, I am happy to be alive! :us:)
5
What a good way to use the clear rulers to line up patterns where you want them!
Fabrics shouldn’t fray along the selvedges, just the cut ends. That is a cool selvedge…lots of colors were used in making that fabric! I zig zag the ends most of the time, but sometimes I am too rushed and get a lot of raveling, so that is a good idea as well!
What was going on with the collar and neckband? Guess when you show the whole thing you can tell us…I still have to rethink collars and cuffs each time…so don’t worry, it will be fine!
You are doing great! Someone is going to have a very fun and unique shirt!
Eh, the fabric seemed to have a tendency to lean downwards. So every time I tried to use the clapper to press the seam, the outer part would move down about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch. It wasn’t even out of place really (left or right), it’d just move down. I began worrying that the dinos weren’t level across the fabric, O_o.
Ok, got the last two pieces cut (I’m still going to use the black fabric for the backside of the collar, neck piece, and the front facings…Or at least get them made and see how they’d look before I start piecing it all together).
I will be watching a vid several times before I attempt this collar.
2 Likes
AIMR
(Linda -In the year 2025, I am happy to be alive! :us:)
7
Did the pattern call for the top collar to be in two pieces? Usually it is one piece on a fold. The undercollar can be one or two pieces…it would have made matching very easy to just do the top collar in one piece, but it looks like you did a good match!
Also, just a tip: Unless the collar is going to stand up, you might want to consider the view when it is laying down on the shirt…your dinos are going to be upside down to the person looking at the shirt from the back or front. You might want to turn the pattern on any directional print the other way round next time. It is such a fun, busy print that I doubt most people would even notice…just us OCD type…ha
Heh! I think that’s why I’m ok with having the black fabric on the inside. It’ll go with the colors of the fabric, and I don’t have to worry about the arrangements. But still, will have to make the pieces and needle them together so I can have a pre-look to see if I’d really like it like that.
Yep! I made it out of a thin piece of wood I did back when I joined Craftster oh so long ago. Also, made a clapper to help with pressing smaller seams, as well, and that really does help.
i’ve got plans to make an ironing ham, too, but still haven’t collected enough fabric, dryer lint, etc yet, and since my tote for trapping sawdust from the table saw broke, I don’t even have any of that to use either. I did find a bag of clothes that no one is claiming, so I may just use the pants in it. Eh, I think I will do that. I have some other pants I’ve used for punch needle…Yeah, that’s my chore for tomorrow then. Mental note to self: get a ham baked…i mean made, .
You are so talented! Every craft you try, within a few attemps you’ve designed and carved your own tools, you’re designing your own patterns, and your finished results look amazing. And all on a low budget, re-using things you’ve found around the house instead of running to the store to buy something. Your creativity is inspiring!
Ok! This time, I folded the pocket pattern, and drew marks to match up the dino and pterosaur. I even drew a mark showing the fold in the pterosaur’s wing. Now I should have the markings right…i hope, heh.
Really wish this dizziness would abate. Would sure give me a chance to remember what I learn, heh.
Anyhoo, got the pocket done, and good…enough. I’m not sure why it asked to stitch all around it…Woops! Forgot to make the stitch across for the facing…Eh, I finally feel a little better.
it’ll have to be moved from where it’s supposed to go, but it’s by such a small amount that it doesn’t matter.
And I have to remake the pocket again. Sheesh! No matter what I tried, it kept getting stuck on the start, and when I forced it to move on the third attempt (on the side I couldn’t see the seam), I missed the seam entirely. Yeesh!
Ok! Another thing I’ll need to watch for when my grandson gets this for Christmas, “Is the pocket placement right?”. It is where it’s supposed to be, so either I didn’t seam it at 5/8ths (which this sewing machine has a mark for), the pattern has the incorrect placement, or the buttons won’t interfere with it (since it’s a child’s shirt).
Turns out this is all wrong, but I’m keeping the message as a memory.
Also, since the plackets/front facing are hidden, I decided to shrink it by about 1/8th of an inch and double fold it to bury the loose threads, then stitched along the outside of it. (Easy on this small shirt, but I bet doing this on a larger piece would be more complicated. This sewing maching only has marks on one side. So I’d need to use the foot for the positioning if sewing from the opposite side).
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