Garment Construction Tips

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From Anne:
I always have to alter my patterns. Sometimes I make BIG changes. For those times (or when it's a favorite pattern & I use it a lot), I will buy inexpensive packaged sew-in interfacing (about $.99 for 4 yards) and use that for the pattern. For example, I recently decided to use a retro Butterick pattern that has cap sleeves. Because of narrow shoulders, I need set-in sleeves. Not to mention needing to make the waistline larger and adding 3 inches to the bodice length (there is no lengthening segment to this pattern). Altering patterns is always such a lovely chore for me. :-)It took me about 2 hours to make all the alternations onto the interfacing but I was able to "tissue" fit it and had a much better idea of how it would work. The interfacing is also handy since it can be used over and over.

From Darcella:
I work with all types of fabric. Now that it's spring/summer the fabrics are usually bright and/or white. I keep a bottle of the instant hand sanitizer (you know the ones you use without soap or water) in my sewing room. Every time I leave my sewing room and return I "tap the pump". You would be surprised at the amount dirt and oil you accumulate on your hands by touching just about anything once you leave the room. Just to prove it...check the smudges on some of your brighter fabrics solids.

From Carol:
To mark the back of some garments that are hard to tell front from back, I simply iron on a small be of interfacing right on the neckline. Sometimes I draw a heart sign with indelible ink. All my sewing projects are for my daughters. I have some store made labels that are very pretty (Made Especially for you-by Mommy) but sometimes they are noticeable thru thin fabrics-that's when I use the interfacing.

From Sherryl:
When working with a fabric that is hard to tell which is the wrong side and which is the right. I decide which side is which and then use the bright color sticky dots to mark on the wrong side. You can tear them in half and get twice as many as come in a package

From Marilyn:
Serging fabric edges before washing can get tedious, especially if you are doing several pieces. Lightweight fabric can be folded in quarters and serged across the four raw edges. One-fourth the time, thread and trimming.

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