PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,261 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,261 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
12 
Member since 11/8/12
Posts: 3
Send Message
3 Replies
Posted on: 12/10/12 3:25 AM ET
I am pretty new to sewing and I am having a big problem. When I cut out my pattern, the fabric never matches up with my pattern piece. It always comes out skewed to one direction. I've done it on muslin and now unfortunately I've done it on satin that I was hoping to make into my Christmas dress and I'm in tears. I will post pictures if no one gets what I'm saying. Please help.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 13492
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 12/10/12 4:28 AM ET
In reply to Krystal907
I think pictures would help us.
------
Elona
  
Member since 11/11/08
Posts: 1189
Send Message
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 12/10/12 6:08 AM ET
It sounds like the fabric is shifting under the pattern piece when you are cutting it out. Cutting out is something I find is harder than it seems! On top of that, satin is one of the hardest fabics to cut out.

ETA: how are you cutting out the fabric? Are you using scissors or a rotary cutter? How are you holding the fabric to the pattern, pins or pattern weights?
-- Edited on 12/10/12 6:10 AM --
------
Reading from Europe
  
Member since 5/17/09
Posts: 224
Send Message
Posted on: 12/10/12 6:40 AM ET
I place tissue paper under the fabric and between the two layers of fabric when I cut slippery fabrics and pin through all layers. Don't skimp on the pins. I also use a rotary cutter. If you choose to use a rotary cutter, I suggest you keep the handle vertical rather than at an angle. Holding it at an angle tends to push the fabric out of alignment slightly. Don't skimp on pins!

Another option is to add the seam lines to the pattern then trace those onto the fabric using waxed tracing paper. This method allows you to cut widely around the pattern. Your seam lines are more important anyway. You can always trim the seam allowances later if they are too wide. This is a method I learned on the Craftsy Couture Dress class.

Don't despair. I'd bet most of us have had the same problem. It's just one more sewing lesson you're learning.
  
Member since 11/8/12
Posts: 3
Send Message
1 Replies
Posted on: 12/10/12 2:12 PM ET
I will have to post the pictures tonight when I get home from work. I use weights to hold everything in place and a rotary cutter. I've tried both the 45mm where you grip the trigger safety and push the cutter along as well as a smaller rotary cutter at a vertical angle. Both produce the same results. I was thinking maybe the fabric is stretching or something underneath and when the rest of the fabric is cut off it goes back to its normal shape, but I just dont know. Hopefully y'all can give me some answers after I post the pictures.
  
Member since 2/12/06
Posts: 2679
Send Message
1 Replies
Posted on: 12/10/12 3:54 PM ET
In reply to Krystal907
Are you allowing extra fabric to hang off a table when you cut? That would cause it to stretch and put tension on the pieces being cut and once cut they will shrink back.

Debbie
  
Member since 1/23/06
Posts: 6190
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 12/10/12 3:59 PM ET
The rotary cutter really should give you a clean cut. Satin is extremely slippery and therefore difficult to cut. To rotary cut you need have lots of weights all around the pattern piece. Use your left hand to brace the fabric and pattern. Before you move your cutter look at your hand and in front of the cutter to make sure it is not in the way. Personally, I am thinking you may need a new blade. If you have been cutting synthetics like poly they can dull the blade very quickly. Are you try to cut with your rotary cutter and no ruler? That can be difficult. I would suggest a straight 18 inch acrylic ruler and an acrylic French curve or hip curve to cut around curves. The ruler helps stabilized the cutter and help keep it on the right path. I don't like to use pins at all, even on satin if I am using a rotary cutter. Cut a side of the pattern piece and then pin it AFTER cutting so that as you go along the fabric won't slip further underneath the pattern piece. Don't pin within the garment, beyond the seam allowances, on satin. It will permanently mar your fabric. Good luck.
------
http://lasewist.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 11/8/12
Posts: 3
Send Message
3 Replies
Posted on: 12/10/12 5:19 PM ET
In reply to simplystitches
Quote: simplystitches
Are you allowing extra fabric to hang off a table when you cut? That would cause it to stretch and put tension on the pieces being cut and once cut they will shrink back.



Debbie

I am. It occurred to me that might be the issue, but I'll have to do some creative thinking as I don't think my table is big enough to hold all the fabric. I will have to check to see if it make a difference and report back. Thanks!
  
Member since 12/27/06
Posts: 710
Send Message
Posted on: 12/10/12 5:49 PM ET
In reply to Krystal907
You can lay out and cut only some of the fabric, while folding up the fabric that otherwise doesn't fit on the table (obviously, you want to be sure of your layout before you do this!). That way you avoid any stretch or distortion.

But I sure wish Santa would bring all of us huge cutting tables (along with the room to set them up)!
  
Member since 5/11/08
Posts: 8213
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 12/10/12 7:12 PM ET
In reply to Krystal907
Krystal, you can lay the extra fabric on a chair or another table if it won't all fit on your cutting surface. That should take some of the extra weight. I hope you can find a solution---I'm sure you will!
  
12 
* 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
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Elliott Berman Textiles
High-end Fashion Fabrics
Specials!
Nature's Fabrics
Natural & Organic Fabrics
Specials!