Thursday, June 04, 2009
Sewing Tip -- Cut Once, Save Time
I have no idea how I missed this for so long -- ever since I started sewing patterns, I have carefully cut out every single (needed) piece before pinning it to the fabric.
Not anymore!
As I was reading the instruction for a vintage 50's apron pattern, I discovered that the instructions told you to pin the pattern piece to the fabric, then cut along the lines. *light bulb* So rather than trim your pattern pieces precisely, you can just cut them off of the sheet and save the details for when you actually cut the fabric* -- it's so easy, and it saves so much time! I'm even convinced that it's easier to cut the fabric, too.
Of course, I'll feel incredibly stupid if I'm the only person on earth who "cuts twice!" But if there are other "cut twice" seamstresses out there (and you're one of them), you might want to give "cut once" a try!
*Please note that cutting tissue paper with fabric scissors may dull your scissors more rapidly -- I don't have expensive scissors, so this is not a big deal for me.
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You weren't the only person! I used to that too, until I realized it wasn't necessary!
ReplyDeleteNope...I'm one that "cuts twice" as well! I never would have thought of such a thing;-p Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sommer
No worries, Shannon. I always cut twice. =)
ReplyDeleteOne reason why I do, do this is because cutting through the paper regardless of how thin/thick it is, dulls the scissors.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one! Thank you for easing my mind on that score! :-)
ReplyDeleteCheri, good point -- I admit, I do cut tissue paper patterns with sewing scissors! My scissors aren't very expensive, though, and require occasional sharpening anyway, so I don't feel too bad about it! ;-)
Yours in Christ,
Shannon
Oh, no! I'm not sure I'd sew if I had to be that precise twice! Cheri's right about it dulling the scissors more quickly, but if you have a pair that can be sharpened, that's not a huge deal (at least for me, since I'm always going over pins and needing them fixed up anyway). Oh, here's a tip that took me forever to learn: Have a second pair of scissors for cutting out interfacing (and patterns!) so that your good scissors don't get dulled by them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tip!! :>)
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I don't quite understand. Do you mean, lay the entire pattern sheet out on the fabric, and the cut the fabric, and the pattern pieces at the same time?
ReplyDeleteSorry!
Have a very bright, very cheerful day!
Miss Eyebright
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/eyebright
Miss Eyebright,
ReplyDeleteThe idea is to cut your pattern piece off the sheet, but just a quick cut job. So there will be extra tissue paper left around the edges of your pattern piece. Then you pin it to your fabric and cut along the lines -- so you'll be cutting away the excess fabric, as well as some excess tissue paper. I hope that makes sense! I'm terrible at explaining!
Yours in Christ,
Shannon
I used to do that too! Then one time I felt lazy and did a "rough" job, but it worked so well that I've never looked back!
ReplyDeleteI just found your lovely blog. I have been sewing for about 40 years and learned at the very beginning to cut through tissue and fabric in one step. Just this year, I realized that I was cutting paper with my fabric scissors and stopped! I now trim the tissue with a separate pair of scissors.
ReplyDeleteI stopped sewing for a few years and have recently started again. I love your blog. Very inspiring!