Arts
In today's episode we will talk about some basic sewing terms that you need to know to embark on your first sewing project. Basic Sewing Terminology Straight stitch, single needle 2.5 or 3.0 Zig zag stitch: Side to side stitch, different widths small for buttonholes, wide for overcast and uses (elastic, decorative, finishing edges) Interfacing, what is it for? Cuffs, collars, waistbands, pockets, button placket. Fusible or non fusible. There are uses and different weights, bumpy side is glue. Use warm dry iron to a shear to wrong side of fabric. Rotary cutters and plastic matt used in quilting for cutting narrow fabric strips and squaring quilt blocks. Back tacking, reverse stitching. 1-2 stitches at the beginning and end of seams will secure the seam. Basting, long straight stitch length 4.5-5.0. Used for securing zippers, gathering fabric, easing sleeve caps into place. Bobbin, winding on each machine should be marked. Be sure it’s smoothly filled to avoid problems. Tension on machine, how to adjust look at top stitches, compare to bottom stitches. Some machines adjust automatically. Needle threader on some machines. Best to trim thread, insert front to back on most machines. Flywheel, move by turning toward you to insert needle into fabric at a specific place. Always begin sewing with the needle in the fabric. Check the stitches, make adjustments. If it’s loose on the back, tighten the tension. If it’s loose on the top and tight on the back, loosen the tension. Tailor’s Chalk, marking pens Types of pins and needles Bias cut, used for close fitting garments, usually woven fabrics Selvedges are across from the fold of the fabric, must be removed before sewing. Grain is the direction of the fabric, noted on the pattern pieces. Pattern pieces must line up with fold of fabric, measure for consistent distance. One way print, pattern is printed one direction. More yardage is needed to cut one way prints. Two way prints, print runs either direction. Nap cut edges of velvet or corduroy. Nap is directional and patterns must be cut one way only.