New Blog Feature: You Asked ~ SMF Tells

The time has come for me to add something NEW to my blog!

I've decided to do a weekly post answering sewing related questions!!  I receive more and more emails and Facebook messages every week on a variety of sewing topics from many of you out there.  Up until now I have been answering them individually, but that has become more and more difficult and time consuming for me.  I've decided to start answering them in a weekly post.  Sort of a "Dear Abby" for sewing related questions.  I receive many of the same questions over and over so it just makes sense to share them with everyone.  Someone once told me, "For every  1 question you receive, 10 people thought of the same question, but were too afraid to ask."  Now I don't know if that's really accurate, but here we go anyway.

You Asked:  How do I determine how much ease I need to allow for, on my winter coat pattern?

SMF Tells:  I received this question several times.  I can only wonder if it has something to do with the long extended Winter many of you are having.  It's a great question.  Part 2 in my pattern fitting series, Ease: When~Where~How, covers  basic information on adding ease. For determining the amount of ease to allow for on an outer wear garment, I suggest that you dress up in whatever you plan to wear under your coat and measure. Wear several layers of what you normally wear under your coat to get a set of very accurate measurements.  This will give you a better idea of how much ease to allow for and what feels most comfortable.

You Asked:  I love your video series on the Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 but have heard not such great things about Singer.  What do you really think of their machines?

SMF Tells:  My video series featuring the Singer 9960 is of my actual experience with a machine I own, love and purchased.  I'm not compensated in any way by the Singer brand for any of the information I share about the machines I own and use.  I've even been very honest about issues I've had along the way with my Singer Quantum L-500  and will continue to share my honest opinions and show machine sewing techniques.

You Asked:  I love to sew, however I hate cutting and pressing.  Is there a way to get around doing the parts I dislike?

SMF Tells:  These are all just parts of the sewing process, however I have some suggestions to make the process quicker, easier and possibly more pleasurable.

Cutting:  Many people dislike cutting because it usually requires a large space to layout the fabric properly.  This requires using the floor in many cases or the dining room table which isn't always easy.  I own a folding cutting table in my sewing studio so it can be closed and moved out of the way if need be.  If the actual process of "cutting" is the part you dislike, try cutting with a rotary cutter or a different pair of scissors.  Sometimes it's the tool that can be improved upon.

Pressing:  For a professional looking finished project it's necessary to press as you construct your garment.  Using a good quality iron is important.  One that has consistent heat and steam to achieve the correct results.  Ironing shouldn't be difficult and if it is, it may be due to your iron.  To make the process less painful, try stitching all your like seams at the same time so you press as much as you can at one time.  This will eliminate running back and forth to the iron.  You always have the option to take your finished project to the dry cleaners for a professional looking press.

I hope you've enjoyed my first "You Asked ~ SMF Tells" post. Please keep all the great questions coming and I will get to all of them in my weekly posts.

Have a Happy Creative Day!!

Roxanne

DISCLAIMER:  All of my advice is given as my own opinion from my professional experience as a Fashion Designer, Textile Drafter, and Production Pattern Maker.  Keep in mind that there's more than one way to approach any sewing technique, sewing equipment, or construction process.