Re: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
In a message dated 11/30/2005 8:23:49 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Can't you turn the seam allowance under for the elastic casing, and then leave that bit of the seam open when you sew the side seam? Lord, I hate people who just give negative reasons why such and such won't work, but, in this case, one of the garments has the little ruffle formed below the casing. The other has the casing at the edge but, in both cases, I plan to stitch the side seam and then serge it to finish it off. Also, the mother in Florida is sewing challenged and, if I leave it unfinished, I'm not sure it would get done. And the granddaughters have shown a desire in the past to put it on NOW, as soon as they see it. So I'll guesstimate from ready-made garments this time--I did find one garment with a puffed short sleeve that I could measure. By the way, one of the reasons I make clothes is that trying to shop for Christmas for Floridians here in Maryland is difficult. It's not THAT cold here in the winter, but everything seems to be long-sleeved, turtle-necked, or otherwise cold weather gear. Sometimes I do shop ahead in the summer (and hope they don't grow too much by December), or find things on the clearance racks. Ann Wass ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
What I've done in the past is to cut a bit of elastic, and sew ribbon to *both* ends. This way the ribbon doesn't need to be very long (shorter dangly bits) and you get a bit of 'give' for sizing. When I thread the elastic/ribbon through the casing, I also tack (backstitch) 'across' the elastic in the casing at least in the middle (I hope that's clear), so it doesn't keep slipping out. I hope this helps! Elena/Gia -- Original message -- How about threading a pretty ribbon through the casing so your (very lucky to have a grandma sewing for them!!) granddaughters can just tie off and have an attractive bow showing? Although, maybe not a good solution for babies...someone in an earlier post suggested leaving an extra length of elastic for Mama to finish off? Good luck, Theresa Eacker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I've been sewing for my granddaughters for Christmas and have come across, again, something that has long bothered me in most commercial patterns. The sleeves have elastic in them and the directions say, Cut elastic to a comfortable measurement. Now, the girls are in Florida, and I am in Maryland, so how am I supposed to do that? The same holds when making baby clothes for babies who aren't born yet, for example. (Snipping) Does this peeve anyone else as it does me? Ann Wass ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
KL tips!! Those just made it into my sewing room tricks archive. Thanks so much for sharing, Theresa Eacker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What I've done in the past is to cut a bit of elastic, and sew ribbon to *both* ends. This way the ribbon doesn't need to be very long (shorter dangly bits) and you get a bit of 'give' for sizing. When I thread the elastic/ribbon through the casing, I also tack (backstitch) 'across' the elastic in the casing at least in the middle (I hope that's clear), so it doesn't keep slipping out. I hope this helps! Elena/Gia -- Original message -- How about threading a pretty ribbon through the casing... (Snipped) ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
In a message dated 11/30/2005 6:31:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: KL tips!! Yes, thanks all for the suggestions. Unfortunately, none of them work for this particular project. I've found that, with size 3 garments, I can't set the sleeve in the round. Therefore, I sew the sleeve to the bodice flat, then insert the elastic, then sew the side seams. So leaving the elastic unfinished, or using ribbon, doesn't work this time. But I might plan a way to use the ribbon next time. Ann Wass ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
Can't you turn the seam allowance under for the elastic casing, and then leave that bit of the seam open when you sew the side seam? It could be hand-finished once the elastic was properly sized and stitched, no? I'm trying to think three-dimensionally here, and I THINK I have done this once or twicewhen I was in some kind of pinch or anotherBecause I use my costumes over and over, I use elastic whenever I can, particularly on breeches and waistbands, and I like to just tie the elastic so that it can be re-sized for the next character the next yearand what I THINK I'm describing is one way to keep access to the ends of the elastic. --Ruth Anne Baumgartner scholar gypsy and amateur costumer -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Nov 30, 2005 8:02 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns In a message dated 11/30/2005 6:31:21 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: KL tips!! Yes, thanks all for the suggestions. Unfortunately, none of them work for this particular project. I've found that, with size 3 garments, I can't set the sleeve in the round. Therefore, I sew the sleeve to the bodice flat, then insert the elastic, then sew the side seams. So leaving the elastic unfinished, or using ribbon, doesn't work this time. But I might plan a way to use the ribbon next time. Ann Wass ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
[h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
I've been sewing for my granddaughters for Christmas and have come across, again, something that has long bothered me in most commercial patterns. The sleeves have elastic in them and the directions say, Cut elastic to a comfortable measurement. Now, the girls are in Florida, and I am in Maryland, so how am I supposed to do that? The same holds when making baby clothes for babies who aren't born yet, for example. I've emailed the company in question to get a measurement but haven't heard back yet, and I need to get these in the mail soon. I went to the store today to see if I could find ready-made garments to measure. This is not only a huge inconvenience, but almost futile, as everything I saw in the store had long straight sleeves! Does this peeve anyone else as it does me? Ann Wass ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
It's not the pattern company's fault that your granddaughters are in Florida. I have the same problem if I'm sewing for my daughter while she's at school. I NEVER use the measurement given in the pattern (if there is one) for elastic. I measure directly on the body in question. In your case, have someone measure the girls' wrists and let you know. The other option is to thread in the elastic but don't join the ends, and don't close the casing. Let their mother or father do it at the other end, when the girls have tried on the garment. If none of those will work, just guess and err a bit on the large side. They can always use a safety pin. Kim -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 4:53 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns I've been sewing for my granddaughters for Christmas and have come across, again, something that has long bothered me in most commercial patterns. The sleeves have elastic in them and the directions say, Cut elastic to a comfortable measurement. Now, the girls are in Florida, and I am in Maryland, so how am I supposed to do that? The same holds when making baby clothes for babies who aren't born yet, for example. I've emailed the company in question to get a measurement but haven't heard back yet, and I need to get these in the mail soon. I went to the store today to see if I could find ready-made garments to measure. This is not only a huge inconvenience, but almost futile, as everything I saw in the store had long straight sleeves! Does this peeve anyone else as it does me? Ann Wass ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
In a message dated 11/29/2005 6:42:49 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: If none of those will work, just guess and err a bit on the large side. They can always use a safety pin. * Measure a kid that is close to the size of the girls...y'know, your neighbor's or something. It's elastic! It's a wrist measurement or an upper arm measurement. How different can it be? If it with in 2 of the correct measurement, it should work. Any measurement that pattern company might come up with will be just as much of an educated guess. ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
RE: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
Why don't you have the girl's mom loosly measure their wrists? Elastic specs are tricky in a factory. If something is too tight it will not fit or sell. Best Regards- Dame Catriona MacDuff (Monica Spence-- designer and patternmaker for kid's swimwear) -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 5:53 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns I've been sewing for my granddaughters for Christmas and have come across, again, something that has long bothered me in most commercial patterns. The sleeves have elastic in them and the directions say, Cut elastic to a comfortable measurement. Now, the girls are in Florida, and I am in Maryland, so how am I supposed to do that? The same holds when making baby clothes for babies who aren't born yet, for example. I've emailed the company in question to get a measurement but haven't heard back yet, and I need to get these in the mail soon. I went to the store today to see if I could find ready-made garments to measure. This is not only a huge inconvenience, but almost futile, as everything I saw in the store had long straight sleeves! Does this peeve anyone else as it does me? Ann Wass ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
Re: [h-cost] A Rant about commercial patterns
Ann, don't take this the wrong way, but how would you feel if the pattern companies responded to you and gave you an average that didn't work for your grandkids? I know it is not always easy to get parents to accurately measure so I deal with my nephews the same way Kim does. I leave the wrist open and safety pin the elastic to approximately where it should be. Sg ___ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
