Pieces Not Fitting Together
Sunday May 27, 2007
At a recent class that I was teaching, one of the most common problems people were having was having pattern pieces not fit together. There are a lot of reasons for pattern pieces not fitting together. The problem usually lies with the cut fabric becoming distorted.
- Lay fabric and pattern pieces totally smooth while cutting them out and cut consistently on the lines when cutting out a pattern.
- Press the cut pieces by lifting the iron and never plowing with the iron.
- Stay stitch the fabric to stabilize the fibers and prevent them from becoming distorted.
- Not using directional stitchingcan also cause the cut pieces to become distorted.
- Rarely, but it does happen, the pattern is faulty. If the paper pieces won't fit together, let the pattern company know.
Comments
Debbie, in pants, especiallly, the grain-line needs to be accurate not only to have seams meet but to hang correctly.
I teach beginning sewing and here are some pattern matching problems we’ve come across: not marking notches and dots accurately and not being aware that there might be an ease allowance.
I have been sewing for 40 years and through experience know that there is one pattern company that I will not purchase because there is almost always a fitting problem or matching problem. I recently made the bridesmaids dresses for my daughter’s wedding and the only pattern she could find to match her dress was that company – using that strengthened my resolve to avoid them!
Check the patterns before you cut fabric.
The side seams should be the same shape for starters. I purchased a Today’s fit Vogue pattern for a T shirt that was recommended by two top national sewing teachers. The back side seam was about 2 inches too long !!
On tops the back armhole should be 1/2 inch longer than the front, and the front bodice should be about 1″ wider than the back or 1/2″ for a half pattern.
How did I learn this? From Connie Crawford who writes sewing text books. Check her out.
Thanks, this has been a very helpful article for me. I have a big problem with corners matching. Also I could not print the comments page would you mind sending them to me?\Thanks
Martha P