I do this because I need to see the pattern, print, stripe or plaid and/or any repeats on the fabric when I'm laying a pattern out. This allows me to lay the pattern pieces in such a way that I take best advantage of what's happening on the right side of the fabric. It also allows me to insure that pattern pieces match. I always feel fabric blind when I lay the pattern on fabric that has the right sides on the inside!
This came up because I was reading those scanty directions in a Burda Style magazine ~ yes, I like a design so much that I'm throwing caution to the wind and tracing some pattern pieces out. And they had this direction, "cut from a double layer of fabric, right side facing in."
So tell me - do you cut with the right side of the fabric facing in or out? This is "The Question of the Day" so talk back to me people!
...as always more later!
I cut out the fabric right sides together unless I need to see the pattern. I don't actually have a good reason for the right sides together other than that it feels normal since most seams are sewn right sides together.
ReplyDeletenever thought about that before
DeleteMostly I've become a single layer cutter, because I am trying to get as much out of the 'precious' as I can.
ReplyDeleteLove "the precious" reference! *smile*
DeleteI, like you, cut with wrong sides together, right side out so that I can see the pattern and how it will be in the finished garment. My mother did it that way and it wasn't until years after I started sewing that someone told me the "correct" way. As with most things to do with sewing and crafting, I think we should do things that work for us and make us comfortable if it is not affecting the final product.
ReplyDeleteLike you, right sides out as I was taught in school back in 195??
ReplyDeleteRight side out, always. I was taught this way at school (many, many moons a ago) and it was how my mom and grandmother taught me. I'd be interested to know if there is a good reason for doing it the other way.
ReplyDeleteIf you have to mark darts, circles buttonholes ect, its easier with right sides together
DeleteIt all depends... Usually I fold right sides together. My reasoning is that then the pieces that get sewn together first are already put together for sewing. (E.g. back of pants.) If I need to see the design on the fabric, then I fold wrong sides together. Sometimes I cut single layer. There really isn't a "right way", is there (?), so long as the end result looks good.
ReplyDeleteRight sides out. I can then use doubled up carbon paper inside the two layers for pattern marking and still see the outline of the pattern.
ReplyDeleteYes, like so many others, definitely right side out, as learnt at school in 1959. You need to see the print, and for consistency, I do it with plains as well because sometimes it is quite difficult to tell front from back, and I know it is always the side facing out when I cut the pattern.
ReplyDeleteUsually right sides together so I can easily mark the pieces on the wrong side without having to pull everything apart, but I'll do wrong sides together or single layer if the fabric has a pattern.
ReplyDeleteRight sides together usually for the same reason as Catherine. However I do sometimes do right sides out or single layer
ReplyDeleteI cut right sides facing in. But with pattern fabric I will start doing right side facing out.
ReplyDeleteI use right side out only when I'm cutting a single layer layout (the case when I'm alighning stripes, plaids, or whatever needs precise layout, or if I need to do it to make the most of my fabric).
ReplyDeleteWell this one made me think!
ReplyDeleteI tend to cut in a single layer, unless it is a simple pattern & I have lots of fabric. Then - I don't have a preference. At least, I don't think I do!
right sides out
ReplyDeleteI was taught in school in Sweden to lay the fabric with right sides together so I could mark the wrong sides. I never thought to do it any other way unless I cut single layer. I will definitely try it the other way around, since cutting is the scariest part of the sewing process for me.
ReplyDeleteIt depends, I have always cut my fabrics with right sides together, but there are instances with patterned fabric that make it necessary to cut right side facing and usually in single layer.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I don't remember what I was taught at school, but I always do tailor tacks and I'm always right sides out, so must have been taught that way. As you say, easier to see what goes where. I do know that when you receive fabric bought on line, you sometimes receive them folded right sides in.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting post and comment section because I never really gave it any thought before. I just assumed everyone was taught the same way. I know, should never assume... I was taught in Home Economics back-in-the-day, that right sides go together. The only time that I cut on single layers when right side is facing up and seen is when I cutting plaids or velvets.
ReplyDeleteActually it depends on the fabric. Like you if I need to see the print or design to place my pattern then right side out. Some fabrics I do right side in because the fabric wrong side/backing with hold the pattern piece in place better.
ReplyDeleteRight side out so, like you, I can see the fabric design.
ReplyDeleteGood question Caroline. It is nice to see others do it both ways. I too was taught that the "right" way was right sides together but now I feel any side out is fine.
ReplyDeleteIf I am working with a print I do like seeing the print when laying the pattern pieces.
If a pattern has lots of details to mark I usually do right sides together.
Carolyn not Caroline :)
DeleteThanks for that! I absolutely hate being called Caroline.
DeletePlain fabric/small prints - right sides together. Plaids and prints - single layer.
ReplyDeleteSince I pattern match, the norm for me is right sides out. On occasion, I will cut with right sides in but normally, like you, I want to see where the pattern, if any, lands. I also want to see an defects, fade stripes, etc so that the cutting arrangement can be changed.
ReplyDeleteTheresa in Tucson
Right sides out so I can see what I'm getting myself into.
ReplyDeleteI cut with wrong sides together. I prefer to see the print/texture of the fabric when I lay out my pattern pieces. Sometimes I can't tell the right side from the wrong sides on some fabrics... lol
ReplyDeleteSince I learned to cut when mom was making my swimsuits, I learned right side out because the last thing you want is badly placed patterns on a swimsuit. It's very easy to get flowers or stars in "fun" places ;)
ReplyDeleteMostly I do flat and right side up. If I have an issue telling right from wrong, I mark with chalk immediately after cutting, just in cases. I made a knit shirt with the front and back wrong side out and the sleeves right side out my first year. Whoops!
typically I cut with right sides in. Partly because that's the way I learned, but also because it makes marking easier. However, like you, sometimes I want to match a pattern or place a motif directly, so I will cut right side out. Usually in that case, I am cutting a single layer. My understanding is that the "rule" is right side in on a double layer, and right side up on a single layer. I believe that most sewing books teach this method.
ReplyDeleteI always cut with the right sides out, wrong sides facing each other. I, too, like to see the print while I'm arranging pattern placement and cutting. Also, it makes it much easier to mark when the wrong sides are facing each other - I just stick a pin through the marking and can quickly mark both pieces at the same time :) But mostly, I like to look at my pretty fabric while I'm cutting, and you can't see it if the wrong sides are facing out!
ReplyDeleteUnless I need to see to match a pattern I like right sides together. It makes sewing quicker because right sides are already together. Rules or no rules I decide which way by the fabric for each project.
ReplyDeleteI learned right-side in and I generally always do it that way unless I am cutting single layer. I learned that since the right sides are already together, they are often ready to sew. Also I learned to do tailor's tacks that way and marking that way. I don't think it makes any difference. It's a personal preference, but I don't understand those of you that say you cut right-side out so you can see the pattern and for pattern matching. How do you see the pattern on the underside for matching or placement?
ReplyDeleteI think the only reason to do right sides in is so that the marks don't show when you put them on. But if you use chalk or some other "disappearing" thing it doesn't matter anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the pattern.
ReplyDeleteIf it is a solid, or a woven-in stripe or plaid, right side in. This minimizes the amount I have to handle the cut pieces. (For instance, I can just pin the center F/B seams and right after cutting the pieces.)
In a print, where I need to check placement, I cut right side out for the same reason you do.
Why does it have to be either or?
Why can't it be situationally-dependent?
When I sew, I make decisions all the time. As long as I know why I made them, I can change the practice when the situation changes.
Right sides in when doing double layer. If I need to match or am worried about print placement then single layer right side up. This is the way I was taught and made sense to me. I have one exception when doing fabric with a pile, then it is right sides out if I am doing double layer. Most of the time with a pile I end up doing single layer (right side up) to prevent slippage.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn what Burda pattern are you using?
Usually right sides together (to make it easier to mark), but if the project/fabric demands it, then right sides out. I don't believe in there ever being only one correct way for any kind of sewing.
ReplyDeleteI too cut with right sides out...I feel as though I have to be able to see how the pattern will line up on the fabric...especially prints of course!
ReplyDeleteRight sides out as I like to see the pattern too
ReplyDeleteI lay the fabric right sides facing in. Unless there is a good reason - such as print or stripe matching. I guess I do it mostly out of habit, but sometimes I find marking darts etc. easier when the fabric faces in.
ReplyDeleteBoth!
ReplyDeleteI'm a right side out girl!
ReplyDeleteI do right sides together in case I want to do some marking. I just feel better about that on the wrong side. That being said, I cut flat as often as possible to save as much fabric as I can. I only cut wrong sides together when specifically matching prints or pattern placement.
ReplyDeleteRight sides in and that's the way I was taught in 1965 and never have seen a need to change.
ReplyDeleteRight sides out, I need to know whats going on with the pattern. For me this also makes it easier to do transfer any markings I need.
ReplyDeleteJx
I prefer right side in - 1) I can mark the wrong side easier and 2) when I pick it up to sew, the right sides are already together.
ReplyDeleteRight sides in. It's how my mom taught me. Anything different is an exception.
ReplyDeleteIn Home Ec I was taught right side in, and a very laborious method of marking. I came home & Grandma showed me how to do it right side out, placing dressmaker carbon between the layers for marking with a tracing wheel, and I was an instant convert. I don't think the sewing teacher ever forgave me for telling her there is more than one way to do things, and all can be equally correct!
ReplyDeleteRight sides out.
ReplyDeleteRight side out. And since I've done it this way for many, many years, (40 plus years), kinda think I'm set in my ways!
ReplyDeleteI am a right sides in person. If I need to match a stripe or match a print I use a single lay. I find it much easier to mark the outside without disturbing the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI've always been right sides in but I like what I've read in these comments regarding marking, making sure of pattern placement, enjoying looking at the fabric and whatching for defects- so I'm going to have to try right sides out!
ReplyDeleteI mean "watching"!
ReplyDeleteRight sides out.
ReplyDeleteI tend to do right sides together. I find it easier for marking. Other than that its usually single later cutting to match patterns. I don't know if I've ever cut out my fabric with wrong sides together.
ReplyDeleteI was taught right side in. but years ago on this diary you said you cut right side out as it makes pattern placement and matching easier. Light bulb on for me I have been cutting out Carolyn-wise ever since!
ReplyDeleteWhen we see a bolt of fabric from the factory, is it folded right sides in, or out?
ReplyDeleteIt depends. Also realize that a lot of fabric companies re-roll fabric from rolls of fabric to bolts. So it could be at the company's discretion on how they roll the fabric onto the bolt.
DeleteDepends on the situation. For me, I do whatever means I have to handle the cut pieces least. Mostly rightside in is what I use because it is easy to pin mark critical pattern markings such as darts. (But to mark with dressmaker carbon paper and a tracing wheel then right side out is the way to go). But when I must match fabric design I will either lay it out right side out or in a single layer.
ReplyDeleteAlways right side out. My dress-factory-working Gram taught me "right sides out".
ReplyDeleteI was a also taught to put right sides together because you wouldn’t want the fabric to get marred. I remember thinking in class, “But, you’ve told us never to eat, drink and always wash our hands. How are we going to get our fabric dirty?” Of course I drink diet coke while sewing now and I’ve change to right sides out for several reasons. I like to see the pattern placement of the print. I’ve started tracing full pattern pieces so that I have a complete front to be very sure I don’t put a bullseye in an inappropriate (for me) spot. Also, it is easier to mark with tracing paper with the wrong sides facing each other. I can place the fabric pieces together when I go to sew without manipulating them even more. I am more concerned with my fabric pieces shifting than I am with my Diet Coke spilling.
ReplyDeleteRight sides together for me, seems to be less fabric handling that way, I'm kind of amazed so many people do it the other way!! How interesting! If I want to pattern match or check I'm not putting say a giant flower somewhere inappropriate then I cut single layer, right side up.
ReplyDeleteLike you I like to be able to see (and make sure for that matter) that my fabric is straight.... and that I'm going in the right direction that I want the print (if there is one). I can get my pieces to match up easier if it's right sides out. Thanks for all you do; and for taking us along for the ride.
ReplyDeleteI was taught right sides in but I do right sides out most of the time. Only time I do right sides in now is when I'm scared to mark the fabric or something to that effect.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about it. I know I do right sides out to match patterns, either way if that isn't needed. I do mark the right side though, especially if it isn't obvious.
ReplyDeleteRight sides in...I normally take the two pieces immediately after cutting and pin them together to sew (e.g. the back of a bodice or skirt pieces).
ReplyDeletePrint or pattern placement important? Right sides out.
I usually cut right sides out-I'm a very visual person, I need to see an approximation of what the finished product will look like, and doing it that way helps me visualize and usually prevents me from having a large motif in an awkward spot! LOL!
ReplyDeleteAlways right sides out. Just the way I learned.
ReplyDeleteRight sides in. Unless the texture of the fabric (knits mostly) makes it weird to trace.
ReplyDeleteRight sides in.....unless there's a really good reason not to. It means the good side doesn't get messed up if you're cutting on the floor(!) And it's easier to transfer markings.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm using a fabric with right and wrong sides that are very similar I will put a little sticker on the wrong side, just to remind me
Right sides out, as was originally done. My theory as to why wrong sides out becaome the norm is the change from using sewn tailor's tacks to chalk as markers. On the old cut pattern, they had holes instead of markers and so you could make a tailor's tack and not rip the pattern. Of course with the lighter tissues of today's patterns, if you pop a tack through a dot, pinch the tissue around the base of it and gently pull, the resulting ripped hole with be small and neat. Where there's a will!
ReplyDelete