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jo and sam/kk/other sewers
I have been working with my machine all night and FINALLY figured out the tightness issue. I definitely think the straight issue is a result of speed and impatience-but I have yet to overcome that. I did consider running a piece of masking tape down the fabric to give myself a guide, so I might try that next.
But, next question... what's your secret for CUTTING your fabric straight so that you are working with a straight edge in the first place? I've tried a bunch of methods and still feel like my edges aren't straight which makes it hard to guide the fabric on the guidelines on the machine (which, of course, I hadn't even noticed til you brought them up! thanks!)...
Seriously, if anyone examined this nursery they would laugh. My sewing is terrible but I'm trying really hard. I hope effort counts!!
Re: jo and sam/kk/other sewers
Blog
16 read! my read shelf:
A lot of folks use a rotary cutter and cutting mat. I am a cheap-o, so I take a ruler and do a lot of measuring, lol.
Make sure you wash your fabric first.
Iron it.
Then I measure (with a yardstick usually) from the end at top, bottom and places in between and make a little mark on the fabric. Then I usually draw a faint line down the whole fabric before cutting.
You can also use patterns in the fabric to help guide you, provided you aren't using solid-colored fabric. Find a piece of the pattern and as you're cutting, make sure you cut in the same spot. For example, if you find a particular flower that is repeated, cut that flower in the same spot as you go along the fabric. Does that make sense?
My mom and I are sewing our nursery stuff tonight! I'm so excited. Where did you get your fabric? Here's swatches from what I got from Hawthorne Threads...
LOVE these. Love the colors!
Our fabrics came from a local place, called Schoolhouse Fabrics. It is actually an original school house and has 3 floors of stuff-it's amazing! They were both "ends" and they don't guarantee that they'll get them in again, so I'm try to be really careful!
Can't wait to see pics of what you do with those fabrics!