PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,234 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,234 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
Member since 10/13/06
Posts: 4
Send Message
Posted on: 10/22/06 9:30 PM ET
Before asking questions, let me introduce myself since this is the first time for me to post here.

First of all, I am a real beginner. I did not even dream about sewing after sewing a skirt at a home economic class in high school. Then, a few years ago, I started sewing to make winter jackets for my short haired dogs! Because my sewing skill is limited, I only sew for those who do not complain about my craftmanship. As a result, my projects have been limited to my dogs' stuff.

Anyway, I am in a process of making some 2006 Fall/Winter winter coat collection for my dogs. I love to use fleece, but I have some basic questions.

1) Everytime I sew cotton taping on the edge of a fleece dog coat, the edge end up being frilling. I understand that I do not need to hem the edge of fleece, but is there any good way to give a finished look?

2) For a very warm coat, I like to sew light vinyl fabric onto fleece lining. Although I cut the two types of fabric in a same way, the fleece side always ends up with being too big for the vinyl shell as I sew them together. what shall I do???

I am sorry for asking very novice questions. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

-- Edited on 10/22/06 9:36 PM --
  
Member since 10/9/05
Posts: 1411
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 10/23/06 9:31 AM ET
In reply to kaiser
I'm assuming the cut edge of your cotton tape frays? You just need to sew under the end of the cotton tape, since it is a woven and left exposed, will fray.

As for your second question, the fleece is "growing" because it is a knit and stretches a bit as you sew, but the vinyl is not, because it has no stretch whatsoever. You can try using one of the many products for temporarily fixing a seam fast (like wonder tape) before sewing, and sew with the fleece on the side of the feed dogs. Also, with the needle in the fabric, you can lift the presser fott periodically as you sew the seams to smooth out any little wrinkle that forms before the presser foot.

So, what kind of dogs do you have?
------
Trinity

I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?

http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 947
Send Message
Posted on: 10/25/06 2:42 PM ET
I would suggest you cut the fleece lining a bit smaller too, because of the stretch. Vinyl really doesn't stretch at all.
------
Tessa
  
Member since 10/27/05
Posts: 5976
Send Message
Posted on: 10/25/06 3:10 PM ET
In reply to kaiser
If you want a finished edge that doesn't fray, you're going to have to use a fold-over binding......................it will encase both sides and both fabrics. I wouldn't recommend the cotton seam binding that's so readily available, though. I think it might wear out fairly quickly. Use the semi-stretchy stuff they use on the cuffs and bottoms of fleece jackets. I think it has some nylon content, hence, it's rugged stuff. Forget the name of it at the moment.
-- Edited on 10/25/06 3:11 PM --
  
Member since 10/9/05
Posts: 1411
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 10/25/06 4:09 PM ET
In reply to ccris
Fold over elastic might work, too.
------
Trinity

I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?

http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
  
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns