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Member since 7/19/13
Posts: 430
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Posted on: 11/7/13 2:51 PM ET
I've had a quick look around, but this precise theme seems to be new (ok?):

Things you learn as you progress in sewing/tailoring.

Please add!

1. There is absolutely no need to press/iron as you go. Indeed, this can be a waste of time or even counter-productive. Some things really do need to be ironed as you go (darts, for instance), but some are best left alone for now (some parts of bound pockets, for instance), because repeatedly pressing them will not only not help, but make the final results scream at you 'I've BEEN IRONED TOO MUCH!'.

This is especially pertinent if you're making a waistcoat/vest, lined. Everything you've made perfectly will have to be turned inside out through the tiny shoulder seams - which will negate any careful pressing of perfect fronts before this step.

2. Seam guide on machine. I wish I'd used this years ago. With the seam guide screwed into the Janome I can sew exactly 5/8 inch seams without worrying about exact straight seams any more. Watch the fabric moving against the guide, not the needle, but you all knew that, didn't you?

3. Trim interfacing on all four sides before pressing onto pattern part. Trim away at least a finger's width and, there is no need to be precise about this! Just trim it on the ironing board. Then, you don't have so much bulk on the stitching line. Makes sense to me.

4. All that back-stitching at the start and end of a seam. You see everyone doing it on all videos. No! Not necessary, and worse, it makes a seam a real PITA to unpick if it's wrong. If you think about it, ALL seams will be double-stitched somewhere in construction, therefore the seam start/ends will be over-stitched. Now, the only seams I back-stitch on are pocket construction, sleeve start/finishes - probably also unnecessary, and shirt collars.

There's more, but hope some other people contribute to this theme.
  
Member since 7/3/10
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Posted on: 11/7/13 3:19 PM ET
In reply to Handshake
another reason not to back stitch at the end of a seam. If the fabric has gathered at all during the stitching, it will snap under the strain once taught.

Much better to leave one end unstitch so that this doesn't happen.
  
Member since 10/28/06
Posts: 300
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Posted on: 11/8/13 7:50 AM ET
Machine basting tricky bits first then making sure it's flaw free, stitch over again with normal stitc length.
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Dawn T.
  
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