TIPS

WHEN WORKING WITH 1/4 SCALE PATTERN PIECES YOU CAN PLAN YOUR FABRIC LAYOUT WELL IN ADVANCE BY DOING THE MATH.

The pattern pieces are in 25% and a simple and permanent graph you can keep nearby or even carry to the shop can be made up in minutes.

Cut a piece of inexpensive sew in interfacing 9" by 15 "... which is the almost equivalent of a 1 yard length of 60 inch wide fabric. Using a permanent marker draw a cpl of lines one at 11 inches and the other right at the 15 inch mark. 9x11 is the rough equivalent of one yard of fabric 44 inches wide and 15 inches is a yard of 60 inch wide fabric!

Just remember you want to fold the 15 inch side in half.. not the 9 inch side just as your fabric comes off the bolt... layout the pieces and add up the total number of yards you need. You can pop a grommet in a corner and hang it in your sewing room.. always ready to give you a very accurate layout and yardage computation graph.

Use your pellon to lay out your 25% pattern pieces to get the best use of your fashion fabric BEFORE cutting into the good stuff!!

Save $$$$ on expensive fashion fabric and plan your layout in advance. Total cost less than 25 cents. (I get sew-in pellon 60 wide on sale for 50 Cents a yard at my favorite shop).

You too can make doll clothes.. its easy.. snag your DD's doll and measure her just like a person! Multiply each measurement by 4 to make a full scale measuring chart! Print in 25% using your favorite DS patterns! Good practice in measuring too.. use the detailed measuring hints under HINTS.Some time ago on the discussion list one lady described how she printed a teddy bears measurement chart out.. then printed it to be larger than the child! What a great Christmas gift. She printed at 75% I believe but you can plan a great Gift.. how about one of those great Bride dolls for your little girl to dance with.

This Great Tip is from Ds User J. Colleen Fry Segroves

Make Working with Nylon Tricot a snap.. no more sliding and puckering.. great for all your new lingerie.. slips, nighties and what nots.Thanks!! Colleen

"This is such a simple tip that it's almost obscene.

Working with nylon Tricot and similar fabrics can be an absolute nightmare no matter what machine is used. Here is a really simple solution.

Nylon Tricot which slips and slides and stretches can be stabilized witha heavy duty spray starch.

Lay the fabric out on a flat surface which will not be damaged by being wet.

Shake up a heavy duty spray starch such as Niagara Professional spray starch. Proceed to spray both insides and outsides of the piece. Spray the entire surface.

Allow this to dry on the cutting board or other surface overnight. Repeat this process three times. On the last time after it drys it may be pressed with a low temperature iron, if needed. Usually the iron is not needed.

Lay out and cut your fabric as desired, preferably with a smaller size rotary cutter . It may be wise to pin the layers of fabric together.

Handle carefully and sew as soon as possible.

For machine embroidery add a stabilizer fiber and do not use a hoop.

Hope this helps someone! I make long tricot nightshirts for DH and this solution has saved my sanity more than once. If the starch should scorch--ignore it. Washing will remove the damage, but a better possibility is to use a teflon pressing sheet since it is harder to melt or damage the fabric with it's protection."

J. Colleen Fry Segroves Colleen segroves@flash.net

We are adding sewing and construction tips!!

It's under construction right now so please bear with me.. some are so common sensible you'll wonder why you never thought of it.. some are really special tips on applying zippers, buttonholes and other cleaver ways to add to the design of your special garments!

Do you Have some tips on DS use or construction details you are willing to share.. email me and Ill find a spot to put it up for others to benefit from! Kaaren Hoback, Patrns4u@aol.com

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