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What size to cut the fleece? Seam allowance? (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 8/21/06 10:25 PM ET
I've been making soft books for kids, but I don't think I'm doing them correctly.
All soft book instructions indicate a 1/4" seam allowance. Does that mean to add 1/4" to the border and sew along the printed border or subtract 1/4" from the border for the seam line?
Depending on the above answer on seam allowance, what size should I make the Craft Fleece? The illustrations all show the fleece as being smaller than the overall cut size with stitching lines. Does this mean the fleece should be 1/8" smaller than the overall size and stitched on the same line as the seam line?
What about using fusible fleece? Would that work for soft books?
I have a pile of books to sew for a charity auction and I want to do them correctly.
Thanks! Pat
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All soft book instructions indicate a 1/4" seam allowance. Does that mean to add 1/4" to the border and sew along the printed border or subtract 1/4" from the border for the seam line?
Depending on the above answer on seam allowance, what size should I make the Craft Fleece? The illustrations all show the fleece as being smaller than the overall cut size with stitching lines. Does this mean the fleece should be 1/8" smaller than the overall size and stitched on the same line as the seam line?
What about using fusible fleece? Would that work for soft books?
I have a pile of books to sew for a charity auction and I want to do them correctly.
Thanks! Pat
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Patzee
Posted on: 8/21/06 11:52 PM ET
I don't understand what it is that you are doing. Are you using a pattern? Is the seam allowance to be hemmed rather than connecting 2 pieces together? If it is to be the hem, you don't need it with fleece as you don't need to do anything to the edges (unless you want to).
Posted on: 8/22/06 7:59 PM ET
In reply to Ruth C
Hi, Ruth:
The soft books are pre-printed panels that you cut apart and make into a book. There are two panels for a two-page spread that are already joined at the center ( [front page -- back page], [page1 -- page 9], etc.). The seam allowance only pertains to the outside margins.
They only show the assembly order with the notation that the seam allowance is 1/4". There is a printed illustration below the soft book panels showing the seam line going through the panel fabric and the fleece, but they don't mention the fleece size relative to the panel size or seam.
What confuses me is do I add 1/4" to the pre-printed panel border and what size to make the fleece interfacing. Also, could I use fusible fleece?
I hope this is a bit clearer. Thanks !
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The soft books are pre-printed panels that you cut apart and make into a book. There are two panels for a two-page spread that are already joined at the center ( [front page -- back page], [page1 -- page 9], etc.). The seam allowance only pertains to the outside margins.
They only show the assembly order with the notation that the seam allowance is 1/4". There is a printed illustration below the soft book panels showing the seam line going through the panel fabric and the fleece, but they don't mention the fleece size relative to the panel size or seam.
What confuses me is do I add 1/4" to the pre-printed panel border and what size to make the fleece interfacing. Also, could I use fusible fleece?
I hope this is a bit clearer. Thanks !

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Patzee
Posted on: 8/22/06 9:33 PM ET
In reply to Patzee
You can definitely use fusible fleece. I prefer to use this for these type books to help eliminate the shifting that occur when sewing with batting between layers. It has been awhile since I made these so I can't really answer your other questions very well. I would think the fleece would have to be same size as panel and then you could grade the seam allowances to reduce bulk before turning it right side out. I think the seam allowance is already builti into these panels. In otherwords, I don't think you add the seam allowance to the border. Why don't you measure 1/4" inside border and be sure you will not sew over some words or picture. If it doesn't, more than likely, you cut at the border/cutting line and then just stitch away. But then again if it appears you have enough allowance outside the border, you could probably do it that way too.
Mirza
Mirza
Mirza
Mirza
Posted on: 8/22/06 9:59 PM ET
In reply to Mirza
Mirza:
Thanks for letting me know that fusible will work. It will be so much easier. I've been struggling sewing in the fleece. That's what made me wonder if I was doing it incorrectly.
Again,
Pat
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Thanks for letting me know that fusible will work. It will be so much easier. I've been struggling sewing in the fleece. That's what made me wonder if I was doing it incorrectly.
Again,

Pat
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Patzee
Posted on: 8/23/06 10:19 PM ET
In reply to Patzee
I've made those kinds of books in the past and the only thing I can remember is that I used a thin poly batting. The directions for cutting that batting were always right on the panel itself. I would imagine fleece would be heavier, but then again, I'm not sure what craft fleece is.
OK, I just found the directions that I kept for "The Christmas Puppy" book. They say to use medium weight pellon or flat batting and to cut the batting the same size as the book cover, and then for the pages to cut the batting same size as the pages. Pin and baste one piece pellon or batting to wrong side of page. Place pages 9 and 2 to pages 3 and 8 right sides together. Baste. Stitch around edges leaving section open for turning as indicated (Diagram B). Clip corners. Turn right side out and press. Turn under seam allowance at opening and slipstitch the opening closed. Obviously, you don't have my diagram or my page numbers. Just ignore that part. There are no directions for grading the batting or seam allowances, so I guess you aren't supposed to. If your fleece is thick, you're going to have to, I would think.
OK, I just found the directions that I kept for "The Christmas Puppy" book. They say to use medium weight pellon or flat batting and to cut the batting the same size as the book cover, and then for the pages to cut the batting same size as the pages. Pin and baste one piece pellon or batting to wrong side of page. Place pages 9 and 2 to pages 3 and 8 right sides together. Baste. Stitch around edges leaving section open for turning as indicated (Diagram B). Clip corners. Turn right side out and press. Turn under seam allowance at opening and slipstitch the opening closed. Obviously, you don't have my diagram or my page numbers. Just ignore that part. There are no directions for grading the batting or seam allowances, so I guess you aren't supposed to. If your fleece is thick, you're going to have to, I would think.
Posted on: 9/1/06 2:36 PM ET
ccris...thanks! Very helpful info.
Thanks to all... I'm sewing away!
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Thanks to all... I'm sewing away!
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Patzee
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