Sponsors
Sponsors
Moderated by EleanorSews
Posted on: 11/29/07 11:12 PM ET
I'm making a nightgown in flannel with a yoke and gathers. Everything was going along fine, I was 75% done, just needed to set in the sleeves and do buttons and buttonholes. Then--I'm trimming a seam allowance and catch a chunk of fabric in the scissors and snip--I've got a one inch cut in the body of the nightgown below the yoke. It's about an inch long, L-shaped cut (actually more narrow, like an arrowpoint.)
I feel like an idiot! My confidence is hurt more than the nightgown. At least it wasn't my finger, and the fabric was only $3/yd. Still--what do I do that won't look awful or fray in the washer? I quick stuck a piece of fusible interfacing on the wrong side so it doesn't fray any worse than it has already. Do I applique a few butterflies going up the shoulder, or what?
Surely I can't be the only person who's done this. Please say I'm not!
Dr. Liz
I feel like an idiot! My confidence is hurt more than the nightgown. At least it wasn't my finger, and the fabric was only $3/yd. Still--what do I do that won't look awful or fray in the washer? I quick stuck a piece of fusible interfacing on the wrong side so it doesn't fray any worse than it has already. Do I applique a few butterflies going up the shoulder, or what?
Surely I can't be the only person who's done this. Please say I'm not!
Dr. Liz
Posted on: 11/29/07 11:36 PM ET
In reply to dr. liz
I would have fused it, too, but probably would have used some "Fray Check" on it before fusing. Don't think it really matters if you use it before or after fusing. It will definitely keep it from fraying further. Love that stuff!
Sorry that happened to you. I'll bet your heart just sunk when you saw it. I've done the same thing, so you aren't the only one.
Sorry that happened to you. I'll bet your heart just sunk when you saw it. I've done the same thing, so you aren't the only one.

Posted on: 11/29/07 11:39 PM ET
Nope. Not the only one.
I've clipped things on error; and once many moons ago my then-pre-school son availed himself of my Gingher applique scissors and proceeded to snip up a top I was making for his sister before nipping his tummy right at the top of his belly button. I thought he'd just picked up the scissors and cut himself; it wasn't until the next day that I saw the snipped up shirt.
In any case, I fixed them all the same: fusible on the back, like you did, and then satin-stitched the snipped edges together. On most things, the snip was in an inconspicuous spot, so I could get away with it. On DD's top, there were so many that I just added several more little chevron-shaped satin-stitched designs to make it look a little more evened out; the top was an abstract print so it worked.
But if your snip is in a really glaring spot, you might think about adding some lacey butterfly appliques... ;)
Good luck!
------
I've clipped things on error; and once many moons ago my then-pre-school son availed himself of my Gingher applique scissors and proceeded to snip up a top I was making for his sister before nipping his tummy right at the top of his belly button. I thought he'd just picked up the scissors and cut himself; it wasn't until the next day that I saw the snipped up shirt.
In any case, I fixed them all the same: fusible on the back, like you did, and then satin-stitched the snipped edges together. On most things, the snip was in an inconspicuous spot, so I could get away with it. On DD's top, there were so many that I just added several more little chevron-shaped satin-stitched designs to make it look a little more evened out; the top was an abstract print so it worked.
But if your snip is in a really glaring spot, you might think about adding some lacey butterfly appliques... ;)
Good luck!
------
Lisa -- so much fabric, so little time!
http://sewrandom.blogspot.com/
http://sewrandom.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 11/29/07 11:49 PM ET
Don't feel bad. A lot of people have done that. I've done that twice on blouses, when I was tired.
You suggestion for an applique remedy is a good one. If were going to do this, I would fray check it even if I'd already fused it. Then I'd do a tight zig zag that would hold the cut sides together after the fray check dried, so it wouldn't get any worse. Only THEN would I applique over it.
Or, if it's a long nightgown, I would shorten it to ballerina length if that would eliminate the cut.
Or, I'd add a seam the length of the nightgown to take out the cut.
Or I'd add a tuck or three the entire width of the nightgown to hide the cut. It would give it a Victorian look
Or I'd just cover it with flat lace so it looked decorative.
Good luck.
Em
------
You suggestion for an applique remedy is a good one. If were going to do this, I would fray check it even if I'd already fused it. Then I'd do a tight zig zag that would hold the cut sides together after the fray check dried, so it wouldn't get any worse. Only THEN would I applique over it.
Or, if it's a long nightgown, I would shorten it to ballerina length if that would eliminate the cut.
Or, I'd add a seam the length of the nightgown to take out the cut.
Or I'd add a tuck or three the entire width of the nightgown to hide the cut. It would give it a Victorian look
Or I'd just cover it with flat lace so it looked decorative.
Good luck.
Em
------
From what others have said, the nasty message came from Fitting Woes, NOT Misc Hot Topics or the Civility thread.
Posted on: 11/30/07 1:28 AM ET
I hesitate to admit this in public, but while shortening some rtw jeans, I cut the hem twice on the same leg. Instant capri length jeans. Sigh. Don't feel bad-everyone has to do this at least once.
Posted on: 11/30/07 1:55 AM ET
I did the same thing a few weeks ago while trimming the seam allowance on a neckband. Like you, I just fused some fusible interfacing to the back. (This was a long-sleeved t-shirt top, so at least I didn't have to worry about fraying.) The neck band looked great up until that point...I nearly cried when I saw the hole that I snipped!
------
------
--Michelle
***
Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/
***
Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 11/30/07 6:27 AM ET
Snort. The only one? I don't think so! I did the same thing many, many MANY years ago when I was making my wedding dress. Fortunately, the fabric had surface embroidery and my mother very quickly added some embroidery to cover the cut; to this day, I can't find the damaged area.
If you add some trim - ribbons, applique, tucks, etc. - you might add something similar near the hem to make the nightgown design look cohesive and planned. If you decide to patch it, you could try a little zigzag darning using Sulky polyester invisible thread, with regular thread in the bobbin for a near-invisible repair. Or you could make an obvious zigzag darning repair and scatter similar-shaped "embellishments" on other parts of the gown.
ETA I didn't mean to make it sound as if this one incident was my only misadventure with blades. There have been others. Quite a few others.
And still they let me play with sharp objects.
-- Edited on 11/30/07 7:36 AM --
------
If you add some trim - ribbons, applique, tucks, etc. - you might add something similar near the hem to make the nightgown design look cohesive and planned. If you decide to patch it, you could try a little zigzag darning using Sulky polyester invisible thread, with regular thread in the bobbin for a near-invisible repair. Or you could make an obvious zigzag darning repair and scatter similar-shaped "embellishments" on other parts of the gown.
ETA I didn't mean to make it sound as if this one incident was my only misadventure with blades. There have been others. Quite a few others.
And still they let me play with sharp objects.-- Edited on 11/30/07 7:36 AM --
------
“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.
Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?
Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?
Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Posted on: 11/30/07 7:30 AM ET
Oh Yeah! I was making a sleeveless summer dress of a lightweight flower print. I think I was serging the side seam and I caught some of the skirt fabric in the serger and made a (as you described) arrow cut in the fabric. Fortunately, the print was very busy and I was able to fuse a piece of the fabric and voila, I still wear the dress and I could not tell you where the slice is.On the other hand, I did the same thing with a solid colored pair of dress pants, complete with pockets and fly front zipper. Lots of time spent of these pants. And while serging I made another arrow shaped slice on the front, right between the side pocket and fly. No way to cover that mistake short of disassembling the pants and cutting another piece. They ended up in the trash.
In short, you are not alone!
jeanbluecat
Deb
------
I sew, therefore I am.
Posted on: 11/30/07 8:01 AM ET
I was making a tee out of some emmaonesock fabric and while trimming the hem, sniped into the body of the tee. Fortunately I was able to lightly zigzag the piece back together and the print is so busy that it's not noticeable. I was not a happy camper though.
------
------
Marilyn
January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
Posted on: 11/30/07 9:11 AM ET
I did the same too, you are not
alone for sure.
alone for sure.
* 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









