A Strap Solution

Remember the Gap maternity top from this post? As I mentioned in the post, the shoulder are a bit narrow for my taste. However, the top still seems modest when I'm wearing it -- perhaps because of the high yoke and the non-gaping armholes. However, those narrow shoulders don't really work if you prefer to keep your undergarment straps out of the public view. Which is something I definitely prefer!

Simple solution? I added my own strap guard to the inside shoulder seams (the shirt is inside-out in the picture above). I've used ribbon in the past, but this time I tried clear elastic from my cloth diaper making stash. I much prefer it to ribbon! It doesn't fray, and it's also stiff enough to avoid twisting or flopping while I'm trying to snap it in place.

If you're looking to do the same, here's how I did mine. I sewed one half of the snap (the bulkier side, not that it matters) to the side of the shoulder closer to my neck. The other side of the snap is sewn to the elastic.  Then I snap the two halves together and measure the elastic, leaving about 1/4" to turn under. That's probably not necessary, but it seems more secure to me. With the elastic end folded under (which is very hard to see in the picture, since it's clear), I made a few tiny but not-very-tidy stitches along the folded edge. And there you have it!

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.

Sewing Tip -- On File

Organization -- it's my bane and my liberator! Once I have things organized, it's delightful to have them at my fingertips. But the hard part is finding a convenient and practical storage solution that actually works. And then there's the issue of aesthetics -- those rolling drawer towers are handy, but they're not exactly easy on the eyes!

My burgeoning collection of self-drafted patterns (mostly aprons for Etsy) needed a permanent home; this is what Tuesday Morning had to offer:



With hanging file folders, pattern pieces are easy to retrieve and easy to put away as soon as they've been cut out. I've also designated a folder for my "current project," so that I have a place to stash the pattern pieces from whatever garment I happen to be working on. I still have to figure out a use for that handy little "pocket" on the front.



I think my patterns will enjoy residing in their new nifty and stylish home, rather than on the floor, under a pile of fabric, stuffed into a drawer... Well, you get the idea!

Sewing Tips -- Hidden Potential

It's been quite a while since I posted a sewing tip (and I'm not quite sure this "counts" as a sewing tip!). But it's something that's certainly helped me, so I thought I'd share. Since I do quite a bit of thrifting, I sometimes come across a garment that I like, but isn't *quite* right and usually I don't find out that it's not *quite* right until I've gotten it home. The optimism I felt at the store just won't make sleeves a tinch longer, or make the buttons a smidgeon cuter. So sometimes my clothing has to be "repurposed." For instance, I just finished modifying two long-sleeve shirts. One was a plain white shirt with very plain buttons. There was nothing wrong with it, but I just didn't wear it. So I cut the sleeves down to 3/4 length and put on new buttons (I just happened to have the exact number of buttons in my stash -- a little bit pearly, and just the right size). Voila! The other shirt was a bit tight in the sleeves, but it was an adorable eyelet fabric that I couldnt resist. I modified twice -- I tried 3/4 length sleeves first, but they were still too binding. So I chopped off some more, and had enough left over from the sleeve to make a little pleated ruffle:

I bought if for less than I would have paid for the fabric, and it took much less time to alter it than it would have taken to make it. Cheaper + easier + cute = Happy Me! Other repurposing can include buying a garment for the buttons (Those $1 deals with ten or twelve mother-of-pearl buttons are great!), cutting it apart for other uses (bags, bias tape, pincushions, you-name-it), and even using dresses or skirt to make a whole new garment (those pleated skirts from the 90's have the most beautiful rectangles of fabric). While I'm not a "Save the Planet" kind of person, I do think it's good old-fashioned stewardship to re-use what I have (or what others have had before me!).

Sewing Tip -- Refolding Pattern Pieces

I've decided to post sewing tips periodically, since there are some things I wish I had discovered long ago! I'm also hoping that some of you will add your own tips... To start off, here's a tip about getting tissue paper pattern piece back into the package (now that's some alliteration!). I'm sure I'm not the only one who has tried stuffing pieces back into the envelope, often trying to refold them on the original lines to make them lie flat. Well, stuff no more!

 

If you iron your pattern pieces (without steam, of course!), they will become unbelievably smooth. You can fold them to any size you want, and the heat makes beautiful creases. I would actually recommend ironing your pieces before you even use them, as they will be much easier to arrange on your fabric! As a note, don't try ironing Sense and Sensibility patterns -- the ink is heat sensitive, and will transfer onto your ironing board or iron!