Comments for DiY crafts, free sewing patterns & sewing tutorials - WhatTheCraft.com

Comment on circle skirt tutorial – version 2.0 – new and improved! by Lex

Lex — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:44:37 +0000

Awesome, thanks for sharing that link!

Comment on 6 Secrets to Twitter Success for a Handmade Business by Sarah (@photofairytales)

Sarah (@photofairytales) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:21:52 +0000

Great tips, thank you – I particularly like No5 and will make sure I adopt it from now on!! Sarah

Comment on circle skirt tutorial – version 2.0 – new and improved! by Diana Sproul

Diana Sproul — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:59:05 +0000

Someone read your blog and gave you credit (and link), and made an Excel spreadsheet. It will help you figure out it all, and account for seam allowances. However, your tutorial says use 4 inches for the subtraction for bias stretch. And you can always remove some at the waist to make it bigger.

Here is the link: http://pattythesnugbug.com/2011/circle-skirt-calculator-for-the-drafting-of-full-half-and-34-skirts-with-bonus-grading-worksheet/

Comment on my circle skirt turned out big enough for an elephant, WTF!? by MalteseLizzieMcGee

MalteseLizzieMcGee — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:18:36 +0000

I’ve had that happen a few time, due to careless cutting on my part. I just pleated the excess into the waist band.

Comment on Why handmade is “so expensive” by Kimberly

Kimberly — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:08:18 +0000

I design/sell Elizabethan embroidery and I wish more people understood how much goes into it. Hand embroidery takes even more time.

Thank you so much for saying this on behalf of all textile artists!

Comment on Why handmade is “so expensive” by FEDRA

FEDRA — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:50:31 +0000

Great article!I absolutely agree with you, and I am entitled to say that after 25 years of handmade work!All the best!

Comment on Measuring, fitting, and patternmaking by Lex

Lex — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:31:19 +0000

I have some tips here for sewing knit fabrics: http://whatthecraft.com/this-sewing-machine-kills-knits-stretch-fabrics/

Comment on Tutorial – How to Design and Sew a Slipcover, Part 1 by Lex

Lex — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:30:48 +0000

That machine can sew through ANYTHING! The only time I ran into trouble was when I was trying to fix a rip in a shearling coat, and I have no doubt that the machine would have sewn through it- it was just too thick to actually get under the foot of the machine. The best part is that I got it for $30 at a garage sale! I will never buy a new sewing machine… they made the old ones too good, and they’re so easy to find cheap!

Comment on tutorial: how to peg pants by Lex

Lex — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:27:18 +0000

Hi Barbara!
I would use a zig zag stitch or a lingerie stitch (there’s a photo of a lingerie stitch here: http://whatthecraft.com/sewing-101-lingerie-stitch/).
Either stitch will allow the seam to stretch. You might be able to get away with a straight stitch, but you run the risk of breaking the stitches when the fabric tries to stretch.

You’ll also want to use a ballpoint needle, which is less likely to snag on the stretch fabric than a universal needle.

This page has some other tips if you have any trouble: http://whatthecraft.com/this-sewing-machine-kills-knits-stretch-fabrics/

Comment on Happy New Year! by Lex

Lex — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:22:40 +0000

I would make the sleeve lining 1″ to 1.5″ longer than the outer sleeve. Once it’s attached, it should stick out the extra length you want.