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how to sew princess seams (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 5/17/07 3:57 PM ET
do you know of an easy method of sewing princess seams, i can never get the curve over the bust to fit properly
Posted on: 5/17/07 4:13 PM ET
I suspect the answer will have something to do with clipping and notching. I can't remember which curve you're supposed to clip and which one to notch though. Do you have any good all-purpose sewing books? They'll have something if no one else pops in.
Although if someone else does show up, I'd like to know how they then finish princess seams that have been all cut up - without a serger, preferably. I can't figure it out or find it anywhere.
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Although if someone else does show up, I'd like to know how they then finish princess seams that have been all cut up - without a serger, preferably. I can't figure it out or find it anywhere.
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... but what do I know?
Posted on: 5/17/07 4:14 PM ET
Clip your seams before you sew them.
Posted on: 5/17/07 4:25 PM ET
clip the peice that is your front peice not the outside peice[with armholes]. Hope this helps.
Posted on: 5/17/07 4:33 PM ET
In reply to madonica
I don't know if there is an "easy" way.
First off you have to stay stitch the straight side of the princess seam - your pattern should tell you where but it is usually between the notches or from shoulder to waist.
Next you clip as much as you can or want to get this straighter side to go around the curved side with no bumps - lots of pining here and then baste.
The curved side of the seam is being eased on to the straight side so sew with the curved side on the bottom so that the feed dogs will help you ease it in.
Depending on how heavy your fabric is you may now need to do some notching on the curved seam allowance to remove excess fabric in the curve.
Last - you place this over a tailor's ham and press your seam open.
As said - am not sure this is "easy" - it is the way I was taught in drafting classes but there are probably other methods which may or may not be easier
First off you have to stay stitch the straight side of the princess seam - your pattern should tell you where but it is usually between the notches or from shoulder to waist.
Next you clip as much as you can or want to get this straighter side to go around the curved side with no bumps - lots of pining here and then baste.
The curved side of the seam is being eased on to the straight side so sew with the curved side on the bottom so that the feed dogs will help you ease it in.
Depending on how heavy your fabric is you may now need to do some notching on the curved seam allowance to remove excess fabric in the curve.
Last - you place this over a tailor's ham and press your seam open.
As said - am not sure this is "easy" - it is the way I was taught in drafting classes but there are probably other methods which may or may not be easier
Posted on: 5/17/07 4:39 PM ET
First, stay stitch the seams in the curved areas. Then, clip the seam allowance the seam allowance that has the concave curve--it needs room to "grow." At this point, you can notch the other seam allowance, but I prefer to leave it intact until the seam is sewn. (What if I only need to make a minor increase after fitting? If both sides are clipped and snipped, I'd have to cut out new pieces). Use a lot of pins (pin closely). If you're going to sew at this stage, pin perpendicular to the seam line. This allows the pins to follow the curve of the pattern. Even better, baste by hand (which is easier than by machine). Try it on. Adjust pinning and basting, as needed. When satisfied, sew. At this point, I usually notch the convex seam allowance so that it doesn't "bubble" with little pleats, but it's often not necessary with thin, lightweight fabric. (Just press, and it's flat enough.)
Posted on: 5/17/07 8:57 PM ET
What seems to work for me is, I stay-stitch both pieces but clip the concave curve (center) part only. The convex (side) piece goes on the feed dogs, and I bend the center part around it by using my left hand to make "darts" in it. (Sort of like the way you straighten out an inside curve to run it through the serger.) This usually makes a fairly smooth seam without having to use many pins.
Posted on: 5/25/07 3:13 PM ET
I wish someone could do a photo tutorial of this as I am so very confused!
Posted on: 5/26/07 6:44 AM ET
In reply to christine A
Quote: christine A
I wish someone could do a photo tutorial of this as I am so very confused!
I wish someone could do a photo tutorial of this as I am so very confused!
Somebody did!
Click here - Sewing a curved seam from Burdastyle
Posted on: 7/28/07 9:58 AM ET
I can get my princess seams clipped and sewn smoothly, but I'm not sure what to do with them after that -- say in an unlined blouse. Here are some things I am thinking about doing, but I'm not sure what makes the most sense:
* serge finish allowances after sewing seam (which could be tricky!)
*serge seam -- but then, couldn't press the allowances open -- will this work?
* finish allowances on a conventional machine with a zigzag?
*i if I serge finish the edges first, will the threads all unravel when they are clipped?
Thanks for any advice!
* serge finish allowances after sewing seam (which could be tricky!)
*serge seam -- but then, couldn't press the allowances open -- will this work?
* finish allowances on a conventional machine with a zigzag?
*i if I serge finish the edges first, will the threads all unravel when they are clipped?
Thanks for any advice!
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