1 - How do I patch the torn knee of a nylon snowsuit.
If you can find a nylon fabric that matches the snowsuit, use it for the patch. If you can't find nylon, use any light to medium weight fabric that matches the color. The patch will show so you want it to match the rest of the snowsuit as near as possible. Cut a patch the shape of the tear adding about 3/4" around the edges. Slip the patch under the tear between the outer fabric and under fabric (or I assume some sort of quilt batting or lining has been used for the under fabric). You can repair the tear by hand sewing or machine sewing.
To repair by hand: Turn down the edges of the tear and pin in place. When you have all the edges turned down and the fabric is flat, whip stitch or overcast stitch the edges to the patch. You will see the patch fabric between the torn edges.
To repair by machine: Be sure the knee fabric is flat as you will be zigzagging across all layers of the snowsuit and don't want to pucker the underlining. Pin the patch in place as desired above and zigzag across the tear (back and forth and up and down around the tear).
2 - Is there a way to relax or loosen an elastic waistband that has several rows of stitching in it. Or if I take the threads out to make the waistband larger, how do I get the rows of stitching in so they look nice again.
If the waistband is one wide piece of elastic sewn with several rows of stitching, you will need to take all the stitching out and put in a new piece of longer elastic and re-sew as before. Pin the new elastic in at side seams and front/back seams and stretch it as you sew on the machine.
3 - I am making semi formal for my niece, and I thought putting an invisible zipper in would make it look so nice. Problem: I have never put one in, I have purchased the zipper and the attachment but have no clue as to how to put it in. Could you assist me, would appreciate any assistance you could give.
On an invisible zipper the teeth are rolled to the back versus flat as on a regular zipper. An invisible zipper is really very easy to put in if you have the correct zipper foot (the one you buy that is made especially for invisible zippers). There should be directions with the zipper foot on how to put in the zipper. You open the zipper and center the invisible zipper teeth on your seam line and place it under the grooves in the zipper foot. As you sew, the invisible zipper foot rolls open the zipper next to the teeth and stitches very close to the teeth. You can do this without the special zipper foot with practice. You just need to roll the zipper teeth flat and stitch up next to the teeth. If you've never done this, I suggest you use the special zipper foot - it makes the process so much easier.
4 - What happens if I cut a pattern against the grain rather than with it.
When fabric is woven the stronger thread is used on the warp (on the grain.) If you cut across the grain perpendicular to the selvedge, depending on the fabric weave, the resulting garment maybe weaker and not hold the garment shape or drape as if it is cut on grain. If you are talking about cutting on the bias, the garment will definitely not hold its body and will stretch out of shape.
5 - The problem I have with regular patterns is that the sleeve is always too tight. Unfortunately, I have big arms and do not know how to alter the pattern for it to fit correctly. What do you suggest.
The easiest way to widen a sleeve and not alter the shape of the sleeve cap is to slit the sleeve pattern along the center from the cuff to almost to the top of the sleeve and spread the sleeve pattern apart, adding the desired extra width by how much you spread the pattern apart. Just be sure not to add width to the sleeve cap length or you will have to adjust the arms eye on the bodice pattern.
6 - I am new to sewing, and am trying to make a polar fleece vest with a separating zipper down the front. Should I use an interfacing, underneath the front zipper facings, and if so what kind. Fusible or non-fusible.
Since you are putting in a zipper in the vest front, the zipper tape will provide a little stiffening. I have made vests with and without interfacing so the choice is yours as to how stiff or floppy you want the vest front to be. If you use an interfacing, choose a stretchable, sew-in one (the iron-on type may flatten the nap on the fleece.) Since the fleece is stretchable, you will want a stretchable interfacing so the vest front and facing will both stretch (if a non-stretch interfacing is used, the vest will pucker as it hangs.)
7 - I just bought a dress in a small and it's a little too big through the middle. In other words-it's not quite fitted enough. However, an extra small would be too short in the arms. So, I kind of remember there being something like a dress clip that would attach to the back of the dress and pull it in on both sides to make it fit better.
The clip thing you are talking about can be made out of ribbon or whatever fabric you want) and suspender clips. Just sew the ribbon onto the clips and attach the clips to the dress. You could also just use ribbon by attaching it to the seam with a safety pin on the inside.
8 - What is the difference between starch and sizing.
Starch may be used in the home to add stiffness and smoothness to a fabric. Commercially, starch is the main component used in sizing and finishing. Sizing is the application of a sizing mixture/compound to the warp threads in order to make the warp stronger and smooth to withstand the weaving process.
9 - Which stitch is best for closing or finishing a simple square pillow?
For seaming a pillow edge, we would suggest any of the following hand-sewing stitches:
Blind-Hem Stitch,
Overhand Stitch,
Uneven Slipstitch, or
Even Slipstitch (see Hand Sewing Stitches).
10 - What happens if I cut a pattern against the grain rather than with it?
When fabric is woven the stronger thread is used on the warp (on the grain.) If you cut across the grain perpendicular to the selvedge, depending on the fabric weave, the resulting garment maybe weaker and not hold the garment shape or drape as if it is cut on grain. If you are talking about cutting on the bias, the garment will definitely not hold its body and will stretch out of shape.
11 - I have four sons and it's hard for me to find patterns that i can alter one size to another. It's very expensive buying patterns in all four sizes, can you help me with finding inexpensive patterns that i can use over and over for all four sizes.
I do not know where to purchase inexpensive sewing patterns. I have a suggestion for you though. If you take one pattern design and cut out the largest size pattern pieces and then trace the pattern pieces on butcher paper and mark the size on the butcher paper. Next trim the pattern to the next size and trace on the butcher paper and keep repeating until you have the smallest size remaining on the original pattern pieces. You will end up with one pattern design in all sizes. The butcher paper will outlast the pattern tracing paper so you will be able to re-use them over and over.
12 - I'm using my cousin's sewing machine and I'm trying to make a purse out of scrap t-shirts. I’ve sewn before on my Mom's machine so i have some experience but I can't figure out why the material keeps getting caught in the bottom and around the bobbin. I tried different materials but it does the same thing. When I stop sewing there's just a big knotty mess and I can't figure out why. I just keep getting frustrated. Please help if you may know an answer. Thank you.
The problem could be any one of many situations. The needle may be bent, the tension may be set incorrectly, if you are sewing on knit fabric are you using a ball-point needle, the bobbin may be incorrectly wound, the top and bottom thread tension may be set incorrectly, the hole in the needle plate may be too large for the fabric you are using, the machine may not be threaded correctly. Go through the owner's manual and making sure everything on the machine is set according to the manufacturer's suggested settings and if the problem still exists, take it in for repair.
13 - How do you sew sequins on fabric?
The correct way to sew sequins onto fabric is to bring your threaded beading needle from the underside of the fabric, through the sequin hole, then through a seed bead and then back down through the sequin hole and through the fabric.
14 - I washed my daughter's new pair of socks, and the beaded decoration around the ankle fell apart. I would like to sew the beads back on, but the weave of similar socks is impossible for me to follow. I am no seamstress, and I don't even know what to call this art form. I'm looking for a step-by-step set of instructions on how to sew the beads back on the top of the socks, such that they dangle attractively when cuffed.
If the beads where dangles, you can thread a beading needle and knot it to the top of the socks, then run the beading needle through the number of beads you want for the right length of dangle (string beads), turn the needle back, skip the first bead and run the needle back through the rest of the beads on the string and then secure the thread to the top of the sock where you began - then repeat the process for each bangle.
15 - Can unaltered pants with a waist of 40 and length of 40 be tailored to fit a 29W and 30L? And can a suit jacket be altered to a smaller size? Thanks.
The problem that arises when altering very large clothing to a smaller size is that there must be enough fabric for the pants crotch area and the armhole area.
16 - Looking for tips on sewing in an elastic strip to dining room chair cover. I have a 12 inch elastic piece to sew into a 21 inch piece of fabric. I'm pretty new to sewing on my machine and I do not know too many terms I may need to. I've done the seat cushions and now I'm starting the seat backs. One is almost done, but the elastic is giving me a hard time. Please help me if you can.
I assume you are sewing the 12” strip of elastic onto (on top of) the 21” piece of fabric. Pin each end of the elastic to each end of the fabric. As you pull the elastic it will stretch to the 21” length. Place the fabric along with the end of the elastic under the pressure foot on your machine and back stitch to secure the elastic to the fabric – do not remove – stretch the elastic again the length of the fabric and as you are holding the elastic taught against the fabric, zigzag over the elastic through the fabric – end with back stitch at other end of the fabric.
17 - I am looking for a way to have a special stamp made and an ink pad for fabric to do labels for donated quilts to the women's safe center where I live. I have a picture of what i want but don't know how quite to go about it. A label was the goal I was looking for in the first place, since stamping won't work for fleece. I would need to stamp on fabric first and then sew to blankets. Thanks
You can have a rubber stamp made at your local printing or office supply store (check your yellow pages) and then just purchase an ink pad made for stamping on fabric.
18 - Could you please tell me some techniques for threading ribbon through rather small glass beads? I've got 1/4" wide sheer ribbon.
Your help much appreciated.
Since threading the ribbon through a needle will be too thick to get through the bead, try cutting the end of the ribbon at an angle, then put a small dab of white glue on the end of the ribbon and with your fingers roll the ribbon end into a point (needle-like) end. Let the glue dry and use the ribbon end as a needle.
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