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Posted by Caya on March 21, 2007, 11:12 am
On Mar 21, 8:19 am, mamah...@cox.net wrote:
> gjones2...@yahoo.com wrote:
> > Dear Caya,
>
> > It's not a good idea to use tape on your patterns to hold them in
> > place instead of pins. Once you cut through the tape, you release the
> > pattern from the fabric. It needs to stay on the fabric until you
> > have all the markings copied to the fabric. The pins should go
> > perpendicular to the seamlines, and all in the same direction so that
> > you don't prick yourself when you smooth your hands across the
> > pattern.
>
> > The more complicated the pattern is, the more important it is to
> > transfer all the markings to the fabric, so that you can sew
> > accurately.
>
> > Teri
>
> I agree. If you want to avoid pins, that's fine. You can use weights. You
> have some options for those. You can buy weights designed specifically for
> this purpose. They look like the caps you see on the feet of chair legs,
> with felt on the flat side. Or you can go in your pantry and pull out some
> soup or tuna cans. Or you can go to the hardware store and get some large
> washers. These work really well.
>
> I have a few concerns about using plastic tape. First and foremost to me is
> that you will need to clean the tape off your scissor blades. I'm very
> finicky about my fabric scissors. They stay very sharp and nick free
> because I only cut fabric with them. I usually cut out my tissue paper
> patterns with an older pair of scissors. Cleaning the tape off can be done
> simply by wiping the blades down with rubbing alcohol then a clean cloth.
> (this also works to clean any adhesive residue on the thread spindle of
> your sewing machine BTW.) But it's one more thing to mess with, y'know?
> Also, that's a pretty expensive way to hold patterns in place. Even if you
> buy the tape at the $1 store, you will have to replace it fairly quickly.
> Weights or pins, weights especially, will last a much longer time.
>
So smart, too!!! So I see that the real seamstresses use weights.
Good- I shall try it. That is very true about the tape goo, and about
using your blades only for fabric. I use a rotary blade though to cut
everything out- it's not so precise I guess, but like I said, so far
my patterns are simple and forgiving, and it hasn't been a problem. I
think maybe I shall have to get a nice pair of scissors for when I
start to do better patterns.
O.k. everybody- what are some good brands of scissors? Where's the
best place to get it, cheap? (I'm in America) Thanks!!!
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