In the latest issue of Threads Magazine there was a hint about making patterns from see through vinyl that is used to cover tables. After a little shopping I selected the cheapest vinyl at JoAnn’s and started my experiment. It wasn’t labeled as a table cover, just vinyl. Great timing as I was about to trace a pattern from a pair of Dockers pants that fit me and I wanted a pattern I could use.

It is best to lay the vinyl on top of the pattern or garment you are tracing as the vinyl sticks and hold down the garment or pattern. I used a black Sharpie Ultra fine point to trace on the vinyl. It stayed on the vinyl without smearing. I also tried Sharpie in different colors and all smeared. In fact the Sharpie black Ultra Fine was that only marker that worked without smearing. Just check that your marker doesn’t smear before tracking.

When cutting out your pattern don’t cut on the black lines. Cut close but don’t cut them off. Your vinyl pattern will be hard to see if the black lines are gone.

I like to roll the vinyl pattern up rather than fold. When it’s time to use again there’s no need to iron. Just smooth it over your fabric and it clings to the fabric.

In anyone find a color marker or pen that doesn’t smear I would love to know. It would be nice to mark different areas different colors especially where you added to the pattern for fitting etc.

Happy Sewing
Nana

The American Sewing Guild is a national organization dedicated to people who believe sewing is a rewarding and creative activity. Here is the link to their web site.
www.asg.org

The local group has an excellent newsletter and their programs highlight many areas of sewing. Classes on knit design, screen printing, sewing miters and smocking show how varied the classes can be. Currently they are working on “Pants That Fit” with Pam Gainor as instructor meeting in the Hy-Vee meeting room on Nifong. Come check them out to see if you would be interested in the group.

For more information contact:
Judy Dunkin [SewItsMe@mchsi.com]
Beth Van Hove [smigg1@yahoo.com]
Pamela Gainor [gainorpb@mchsi.com]

After joining the national group you may join any local group. There are no local dues only national. National dues are $50 for the first year and $45 for the next year. You can also be a member at large.

Sew Happy
SewNana

To do this technique, you will be making a tuck above the hem and sewing the tuck right above the hem that was on the original garment. The tuck is folded into the sleeve and checked to see if the new length is correct.

Baste the tuck together being careful  to only baste the tuck.  If you are fearless you can try just pinning. 

Sew The Tuck

Trim the fabric that you have tucked and finish the raw edges.  If it is a knit,it isn’t necessary to finish the raw edge.

Final Hem

The original hem is the still there.  That is the stitching that is visible.  It is a cover stitch but part of the sleeve blocks the view

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One of my favorite feet for my Pfaff machine is the Pfaff adjustable guide foot.

The bar adjusts so you can stitch an exact amount from the edge of your fabric or another seam. I have used it many times to insure a true 5/8 seam allowance and for sewing even rows of decorative stitches.

There was a discussion about this foot on one of the Yahoo groups. They suggested using this foot for channel stitching. The foot can track 1 inch apart. The next time I quilt, this will be the foot for me. Much easier to attach this foot than the quilting guide that comes with our machines. If you move your needle position you can track up to 1¼ inches apart.

There may be many more uses for this foot or others that I haven’t thought about. Other brands of machines may have a similar foot. Now I must check on a foot for my Viking machine.

Happy Sewing
SewNana