Learn to Sew Tips and Planned Projects

Isk8NYC · #1 08-24-2010, 10:15 AM

At this time of the year, people begin to think about learning to sew in order to make skating outfits.

This was a timely email from Simplicity:

Quote:

Learn To Sew pattern collection at Simplicity.com, specially designed and written just for beginners. User-friendly instructions in each pattern teach the basics from start to finish, including:
1. Choosing the Correct Pattern Size
2. List of Materials Needed
3. Fabric and Pattern Prep
4. Proper Layout, Cutting and Marking Techniques
5. Construction
6. Finishing

Armed with the right pattern, here are some useful tips to make the teaching/learning process go smoothly:
· Stick with fabrics that are easy to handle, like cotton, denim, and woven fabrics with a smooth finish and tight weave.
· Plaids, stripes and patterns that need to be matched can be tricky; a solid or overall print will let you concentrate just on sewing.
· Start with a simple project, and then build on your skill set with each subsequent project. · Make sure you have all your supplies ready to go – fabric, thread, notions, trims, equipment.

Personally, the sizing of Simplicity patterns never work out right for me, I have to make too many changes to get them to fit and their suggested fabric lengths and layouts are wasteful - I end up with lots of fabric left over. I prefer Vogue/McCall's patterns for those reasons, but many others have said that the Kwik-Sew patterns work well for skating clothes.

What are the other brands of skating patterns?

I have some beautiful peridot-green sparkly satin fabric that I want to use for a skating dress, but I can't find any lycra to match. I bought some dye and plain white lycra, so I'm going to attempt to replicate the color and DIY. I know it'll cost just as much as buying a premade dress, but I feel up to the challenge.

I liked the Champion C9 sweats with the elastic hems that I bought at Target last year. I can't find them this year, so I have to shorten some other ones.

Anyone else have some projects planned for the season?

Skate@Delaware · #2 08-24-2010, 04:10 PM

Jalie is good as well, I haven't sewed one up in a few years though and can't remember how it's sized.

I'm planning a new dress, for my freestyle test. Plain gray with long sleeves and a bit longer skirt (cross between dance & freestyle). Nothing spectacular, going for comfort. I was going to make another pair of skating pants but ran out of time (and school started again).

I saw a while back some learn-to-sew videos on youtube. Some looked really good. Don't recall if any dealt with stretch fabrics but you have to start somewhere and woven is easy.

sk8lady · #3 Yesterday, 04:52 PM

Jalie and Kwik-Sew are the top of the line--I like Jalie best given my sizing, although I always cut generously for my booty!!

I'm not crazy about the standard pattern-makers' skating dresses; however, for ice dance dresses, I do use Simplicity/Butterick/McCall's ballroom dance dress patterns and make a matching panty.

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