topic Re: Sewing question... in Home

Sewing question...

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 13:47:03 GMT

Since there is no craft section, I am hoping the home forum is the place to ask this question.

I am making a blanket....fleece on one side, cotton on the other side. I have never worked with fleece and I can see that there could be an issue with keeping the blanket 'square'...I don't want it to be wonky when I am done.

I do have a walking foot to sew the seams, that should help but are there any tips I can be given to help keep the blanket smooth? Thanks!

Re: Sewing question...

Witchy Woman — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:03:36 GMT

I sew a lot with fleece and find that pinning every 2 inches or so really helps keep things lined up. I place my layers together once they are cut and just pin away. It's a bit time consuming, but can make a world of difference as fleece can grow.

However, you still have to monitor the fabric as you sew along, even with pins. It's just that pins help ease it all together.

About a year ago, I voluneered to make baby blankets for The Linus Project and find that fleece works great. I started making the tied ones at first, but have switched to sewing together two layers and cutting fringe rather than tying it. Some of the more experienced women mentioned they didn't really care for the tied fleece as the knots could be uncomfortable. Many of the women use cotton and flannel and sew three sides, turn it out, and sew down all the seams. It makes a very pretty blanket.

Hope that helps! Have fun.

Re: Sewing question...

fthunt — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 14:04:59 GMT

I think I understand but if I didn't get it - forgive me. You want the fabric to lay flat/smooth after you sew the edges together? Not shift or move when it's done? I recall a grandmother's patch blanket (like Dolly Pardon's coat of many colors) and I noted a couple of stiches taken in the center of each patch to hold it firm. If that doesn't give you enough 'hold' I would consider (on the sewing machine) sew a basting-type stitch across each 'patch' for extra holding power. Don't know if I've hit your problem or not.

Re: Sewing question...

Desertdi — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:01:38 GMT

Cording the edges might be a possiblity (but I've never done anything like that)

Re: Sewing question...

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:03:02 GMT

@Witchy Woman

....Pinning a lot sound right! I did not want to make the tied blanket and I like the two colors/patters of the fabric I picked out but once I started pinning I got worried that the banket would be a crooked mess.

My dog won't let me lay it down to pin...she keeps laying on it...such a help she is! I will wait until my husband gets home and then he can play with her while I pin.

Do you start at one end and just sew around the edges continuously (leaving an opening to turn) or do you work from the center of an edge to the corner and then do the other 1/2 edge (to keep the fabric from moving to much)?

thanks

Re: Sewing question...

Dusty1 — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 15:21:03 GMT

I pin, pin, pin, pin. I start stitching about 12" or so from a corner. Sew the rest of that side, turn, stitch the other 3 sides & stop at the corner. Turn the blanket & stitch the opening closed. The walking foot is a big help, but some fabrics just like to be difficult.

Re: Sewing question...

Witchy Woman — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:34:59 GMT

It helps to have everything completely flat when pinning. I don't see how you can even things up unless you do, so yes, it might be best to do it when your helper is occupied.

dusty1 gave a good response for sewing. I've watched the women with my group and they do it different ways, but mostly, just start sewing at one point and continue on until about 12" from that point again. Then, they turn, finger fold the edges, and stich about 1/4 inch from the edge with zigzag stitches. It gives the blanket a slightly "corded" edge. Or, if you have a good, straight eye, you could just single stitch around the outside to give a "corded look."

Everyone kind of finds their preference, and I would only caution against using too small stitches. They tend to get buried in the fleece and are a bear to rip out (if you have to do that for some reason.) In fact, you might want to baste it first with really long stitches to get a sense of how it's going to fit. But pinning should help a lot.

I pin perpendicular to my edges and I think this helps ease and even out the two edges. You can always work in a bit more fabric as you stitch along.

Again, I hope that is clear and helps. I hate taking the time to pin sometimes, but when I don't, I am always sorry! And I've been sewing for MANY years!

If you are going to do this alot, invest in some longer pins, too. The onces that have the little balls on the end are so much easier to handle than regular straight pins. I think mine have a 2 inch shaft and are so much nicer than the tiny pins I learned with.

Re: Sewing question...

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:42:35 GMT

@Witchy Woman...I am quilter...but have not pieced a quilt in many years so I have the long pins....they are great!

Even when I was still quilting I never liked the piecing part...I always worried that things were not cut correctly and never got the hang of 'squaring up' my fabric...I guess I am a slow learner..plus I never had anyone to help me...this was 20 years ago, before rotary cutters and quilt groups (at least in my area).

This blanket is for my nephew's new baby so it has to be done right or I will not gift it, ha!

Re: Sewing question...

Witchy Woman — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:36:25 GMT

Meant to add something about the final blanket. And, maybe this is what you were asking all along and I just misunderstood.

The blankets I've seen are tied with heavier embroidery thread. The ladies do a tie about every 10-12 inches. This pulls the two layers together and holds the lightweight batting they sometimes use.

As a quilter, I'm sure you've seen tied quilts rather than sewing in the ditch or a quilt pattern. It is the same proces. This helps hold all the layers together and keeps the blanket from getting kattywhampus when washed.

Re: Sewing question...

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 17:53:48 GMT

@Witchy Woman Hmmmm, well darn...do I have to do some kind of sewing in the center of the blanket? My plan is to put right sides together, sew all around, leaving an opening to turn and the once turned sew a seam all around the edges (aprox 2 inches from the edge). I am not doing the tied blanket.

Do you think I need to do some sewing in the center? There is no batting or filling, just the two pieces of fabric, one fleece, one cotton.

Re: Sewing question...

Witchy Woman — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 21:20:21 GMT

The blankets I've seen tied are about 45" x 45" and they have batting.

If your blanket isn't large and if you are not using batting, I don't see why you would need to sew the two layers together.

Hope it comes out to your satisfaction. I love sewing -- even simple projects. Love the hum of the machine!

Re: Sewing question...

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 21:57:26 GMT

@Witchy Woman...ok, thanks. I will follow thru with my original plan and see how it goes!

I used to sew a lot when I was younger...christmas dresses for my young nieces, curtains, etc. I loved to sew. Now when I think about starting a project, I think to long and put it off, ha! I think one reason is that I have no one that shares that interest or that I can go to when I run into a problem. My mom was a great seamstress and she was my go to but she has been gone for 20+ years and when she died, I lost my sewing/crafting pal.

BUT... I still dearly love fabric!

Re: Sewing question...

Tigriss — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 23:08:26 GMT

Basting spray, like spray glue, that sandwiches the layers without anything moving. You can find it at WalMart, HobbyLobby, or anywhere that carries fabric.

Re: Sewing question...

Witchy Woman — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:22:08 GMT

@Tigriss wrote:
Basting spray, like spray glue, that sandwiches the layers without anything moving. You can find it at WalMart, HobbyLobby, or anywhere that carries fabric.

I think yours is the winning response!

You know, I've never tried that spray, but will put it on my list of things to buy the next time I am at Walmart. The one in my area recently put the fabric area back in after a long absense. It's just so fun to stroll through!

Thanks for this great idea!

Re: Sewing question...

Witchy Woman — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 14:21:29 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Witchy Woman...ok, thanks. I will follow thru with my original plan and see how it goes!

I used to sew a lot when I was younger...christmas dresses for my young nieces, curtains, etc. I loved to sew. Now when I think about starting a project, I think to long and put it off, ha! I think one reason is that I have no one that shares that interest or that I can go to when I run into a problem. My mom was a great seamstress and she was my go to but she has been gone for 20+ years and when she died, I lost my sewing/crafting pal.
BUT... I still dearly love fabric!

I could have written your post -- wish you lived closer to me, then we would have a kindred sewing spirt to consult with!

My mom taught me to sew and she used to make almost all our clothing. Then, I took over and taught myself how to use tailoring techniques -- bound button holes, french seams, etc. I was pretty good. Then, I went to work and had enough money to buy a few things and I stopped sewing.

Picked it up again when I started quilting, but kinda fell off that wagon when quilts started showing up everywhere. Not that they are the same as a hand made one, but no one can appreciate the work that goes into one. Like you, I have no one around me to offer support or consult with -- it got to be too much of a job just making a quilt -- so, I stopped.

I just recently started using my machine a lot again when I volunteered for The Linus Project. The blankets are simple, but satisfy my fabric addiction (even if it is just fleece).

Yes, my mom has been gone a long time, too. Wish I had saved her machine. She was a professional seamstress and worked making beautiful lingerie at what was Miss Elaine. They might still be in business, but the factories were wretched -- Hot in summer and cold in winter and no noise protection or any safety rules. She loved it though and I think that's the gene she passed on to me.

Thanks for letting me ramble on an reminisce.

Happy sewing!

Re: Sewing question...

CelticCrafter — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 21:37:16 GMT

If you are "lining" the fleece and not going to tie both the fleece and the backing at intervals I would at least top stitch all around the edges once you turn it otherwise I think it will have a tendency to want to roll.

I don't like working with fleece because of the stretch factor so yes, use the walking foot and pin the heck out of it.

Re: Sewing question...

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 21:51:36 GMT

UGH...well I sewed the two pieces (cotton/fleece) together, turned and then stitched around the edges, per my original plan...well I am not happy with it.

I washed the blanket so I could see how it would hang after washing....it does not lay like I want it to, so I am going to trim all around my sewn edge, and rethink how to proceed.

The fabric pieces were decent size to begin with so cutting off the edges to start over won't end up with a skimpy blanket...IF I TRY AGAIN...right now it just irritates me that I have to re do it.

Re: Sewing question...

CelticCrafter — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 23:29:02 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
UGH...well I sewed the two pieces (cotton/fleece) together, turned and then stitched around the edges, per my original plan...well I am not happy with it.
I washed the blanket so I could see how it would hang after washing....it does not lay like I want it to, so I am going to trim all around my sewn edge, and rethink how to proceed.
The fabric pieces were decent size to begin with so cutting off the edges to start over won't end up with a skimpy blanket...IF I TRY AGAIN...right now it just irritates me that I have to re do it.

It could be that the cotton shrunk. The fleece wouldn't.

Also if the cotton wasn't true and square it could distort after washing.

Re: Sewing question...

Mom2Dogs — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 01:41:00 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@Mom2Dogs wrote:
UGH...well I sewed the two pieces (cotton/fleece) together, turned and then stitched around the edges, per my original plan...well I am not happy with it.
I washed the blanket so I could see how it would hang after washing....it does not lay like I want it to, so I am going to trim all around my sewn edge, and rethink how to proceed.
The fabric pieces were decent size to begin with so cutting off the edges to start over won't end up with a skimpy blanket...IF I TRY AGAIN...right now it just irritates me that I have to re do it.
It could be that the cotton shrunk. The fleece wouldn't.
Also if the cotton wasn't true and square it could distort after washing.

I prewashed and did my best to 'square' the fabric ....I think my neighbor sews a little I will ask her to walk me thru the squaring up the fabric. I have read how to do it a zillion times and I understand what the directions say but for some reason I have a bit of disconnect when actually doing it!