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Member since 3/8/10
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Posted on: 3/10/11 11:17 AM ET
I did try to find this on the boards but nothing came up.
Can someone explain how to match plaids so when you put the front together it will look nice & be pleasing for DH to wear?
I am making a plaid flannel shirt with 3/4 sleeves, button down front regular collar, 2 pockets in constrasting color. Thanks so much. I also posted on men's shirt sew along...but I thought if anyone here knows it would sure be helpful. I have a couple of plaid things to make & really the pattern gives no clue how to do this.
Thanks so much!
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Member since 3/29/10
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Posted on: 3/10/11 11:20 AM ET
In reply to SewingKitty19
Here's an excellent tutorial from Sewaholic: Matching Plaids Tutorial
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Posted on: 3/10/11 11:48 AM ET
Another method is single layer cutting, as described by the Selfish Seamstress. That's the method I generally use, though it is tedious and annoying! Which is why every time I sew plaid (or houndstooth) I vow it's the last time.
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Member since 12/2/09
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Posted on: 3/10/11 1:02 PM ET
In reply to nicegirl
I like plaids- it has a grid so I can tell if I'm cutting or sewing in a straight line!

The one thing I would caution you on- make sure you're using a pattern that you know fits- there's nothing like painstakingly matching every seam, and then finding out the waist is 4" too big once you're done.
  
Member since 1/9/06
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Posted on: 3/10/11 1:21 PM ET
Count me as another vote for the selfish-seamstress-even-tho-she-didn't-invent-it method (haha); I just finished up a plaid flannel shirt (pockets not yet, but soon!) and that's what I did to match the two fronts. For the back, I matched up the notches to those on the front to continue the horizontal lines; for the sleeves, I determined the predominant line of plaid color at the shoulder seam & cut out sleeves with that color at the top of the sleevehead. The placket, cuffs, and back yoke I wanted on the bias so I opted for 'centering' the plaid design instead of matching it, per se. I'm actually pretty amazed at how it all turned out, considering it was an uneven plaid to boot! I'll post reviews & a pic soon, promise :)
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Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 3/10/11 5:26 PM ET
In reply to SewingKitty19
I use my notches to match plaids. Also, if I'm working with an uneven plaid (meaning when it's folded, it's not the same as front to back), I cut each piece out separately, again using the notches as a guide.
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Member since 2/9/04
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Posted on: 3/11/11 7:50 AM ET
In reply to SewingKitty19
Once you have the fabric perfectly cut out, a walking foot helps feed both layers through so that the seam-stitching process does not throw the plaid off-register.
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Member since 7/23/07
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Posted on: 3/11/11 8:05 AM ET
Burda patterns usually have a line near a straight seam as guide but I've noticed that if you put your Waistline, zipper end etc. on the same place on the plaid, you get the same results.

Or you can draw a guide line on your paper pattern in case you need a visual "reminder".

Matching patterns = extra fabric = extra layout time = beautiful results.
  
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Posted on: 3/11/11 2:52 PM ET
In reply to Doris W. in TN
Oh I just ordered a walking foot for my 201 & FW earlier this week. thank you. I will use that then too.

Walking foot came today already! Now to see how it works.
-- Edited on 3/11/11 7:45 PM --
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Posted on: 3/11/11 7:47 PM ET
In reply to Miss Fairchild
I am trying to picture how this is done? Are you using a single layer of fabric & then putting an additional seam in the back to match the plaids rather than putting the pattern on the fold? The front also in single cuts then so they match up? ....and finally the collar pieces are cut in separate cuts also? Thank you for the help.
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