tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post4831553430672523388..comments2024-03-27T22:07:57.614-04:00Comments on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic: Do You Presew?Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-91177570095667521102021-11-20T17:43:41.903-05:002021-11-20T17:43:41.903-05:00L - I precut fabric but linings and interfacings I...L - I precut fabric but linings and interfacings I cut as I need. I don't know why but since I'm not in a rush these days, I don't feel the need to do that step. Also, my cut pile isn't for speed it's because cutting is the part I like least about sewing so if I can make a pile and work through it I feel like I'm ahead in the game.Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-27639569327752953302021-11-20T17:41:08.259-05:002021-11-20T17:41:08.259-05:00BetsyV - I choose all my buttons, threads, notions...BetsyV - I choose all my buttons, threads, notions ahead of time too. I don't want to have to stop in the middle to purchase something. If I don't have what I need that garment goes to the bottom of the cut pile until I have the supplies.Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-79501921816368201882021-11-20T17:39:07.874-05:002021-11-20T17:39:07.874-05:00I would too! And like the term post-sew!I would too! And like the term post-sew!Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-33551022668379802442021-11-20T15:17:53.000-05:002021-11-20T15:17:53.000-05:00Absorbing reading over everyone’s process. I defin...Absorbing reading over everyone’s process. I definitely presew but it starts when I see something that has been made eg on Insta, or a new pattern. I then think about what fabric I have in the stash before purchasing. An example is the Hope dress. I just have purchased it after seeing all the wonderful makes over the past year- I wasn’t sure of that style on my body so tried on some versions in retail. I now will make a wearable muslin out of a rayon from the stash. I know what I need to do to ensure Style Arc patterns fit so it’s more about making sure it’s all okay. But at the same time I will cut out 3-4 t-shirts and another muslin of a Butterick. I used to hate cutting out and altering patterns to fit but now love the whole process. I think it is because previously with 4 children time was very limited. Now although busy teaching it is much easier fitting multiple blocks of time in. I love batch cutting out but that is the way my brain works -before I cut out I have already batched all the sewing steps for each garment. Even better if they all have matching thread, but I sew all straight seams, do all the fiddly bits first - such as collars etc. Another tip from Gigi or Anne was to always sew the lining first, both to check fit and as often the momentum is lost after sewing the outer bits - this has meant that even sewing a complex garment seems to be a quick fun project. I recently posted my lastest makes on Instagram and realised in the space of 8 weeks 12 garments😳 Amittedlyin that I had 2 weeks off school with term break but it shows that this works for me. Love the blog enjoyed everyone’s comments. jacquiannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01877759444999296777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-71492749722192401192021-11-18T17:35:13.228-05:002021-11-18T17:35:13.228-05:00I do some research (reading instructions, reviews,...I do some research (reading instructions, reviews, etc.) before sewing. I also do a lot of on-the-go sewing. By this I mean: I don't always cut out the interfacing or lining with the shell pieces; instead, I cut them out as I go. Over time, I've wasted a lot of construction materials on garments that didn't fit right or that I wasn't going to finish. Even if I make a muslin of something, I still postpone cutting out everything until I am at a point where I think it makes sense to do so.Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18384050927297629715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-88562666291651923942021-11-18T17:35:07.592-05:002021-11-18T17:35:07.592-05:00I do some research (reading instructions, reviews,...I do some research (reading instructions, reviews, etc.) before sewing. I also do a lot of on-the-go sewing. By this I mean: I don't always cut out the interfacing or lining with the shell pieces; instead, I cut them out as I go. Over time, I've wasted a lot of construction materials on garments that didn't fit right or that I wasn't going to finish. Even if I make a muslin of something, I still postpone cutting out everything until I am at a point where I think it makes sense to do so.Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18384050927297629715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-24239069977700127622021-11-18T12:03:28.813-05:002021-11-18T12:03:28.813-05:00This is an intriguing question and I never thought...This is an intriguing question and I never thought about it before, but I do pre-sew when I choose which pattern to go with which fabric and other notions needed. I now measure my pattern to determine whether I need a FBA or not and other fitting things. That's pre-sewing too. I don't have a cut pile or a big stash. Fabric is too expensive to have it in piles unused. I cut, then sew. I do stay stitching or interfacing before stitching up seams. I am a very intermediate type sewist. It was easier to sew for myself when fabric wasn't so expensive and when my figure wasn't so much harder to fit. I thank you all for your comments and I surely appreciate Carolyn's blog posts always. Connie Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526657792519056005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-72043830589092909752021-11-18T11:36:20.337-05:002021-11-18T11:36:20.337-05:00I would.I would.Connie Turnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13526657792519056005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-1178545175128758762021-11-17T13:02:49.549-05:002021-11-17T13:02:49.549-05:00I do "pre-sew" when I am using a fabric ...I do "pre-sew" when I am using a fabric with a pattern that has to be matched or when I am going to cut the first garment in such a way as to leave enough fabric for a second garment.<br /><br />I only cut and work on one project at a time. This is a holdover habit from decades of limited space. Only emergency mending might sneak into the middle of a new garment project.<br /><br />I also choose all thread, notions, buttons, etc before I cut the garment out. Very occasionally, I change my mind about the buttons, but I do not wait to have a plan in place. This habit is a decades-old holdover from living far from reliable fabric/notions sources. I live in such a location again, so I am glad to have these habits ingrained.BetsyVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14824251716471351275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-57331921706338144962021-11-17T12:30:31.704-05:002021-11-17T12:30:31.704-05:00I have multiple projects going-- a dress for me, a...I have multiple projects going-- a dress for me, a quilt that probably won't get finished until next Christmas, a smocked dress for a grandbaby and some appliqued a line jumpers for the grandkids. I was stuck in a sewing rut and decided I was bored-- so the quilting came as a new challenge and really got my sewing fires burning again!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04822434235987792407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-60941456044078823202021-11-16T20:32:11.697-05:002021-11-16T20:32:11.697-05:00Such a thought-provoker! I would consider the des...Such a thought-provoker! I would consider the design process as a pre-sew, which would be a "yes" for almost every garment that I make. Some of us even carry a finished garment to the fabric store to shop for the finishing touches. Would you call that a Post-Sew?--Anneanne jewellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14631538536410549931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-4393261031248935682021-11-16T12:32:02.186-05:002021-11-16T12:32:02.186-05:00Hi Carolyn,
I only cut one thing at a time becaus...Hi Carolyn, <br />I only cut one thing at a time because whenever I have have done a cut pile, I don't often finish it because of time constraints then I lose interest. I absolutely plan ahead/visualize because I have a lot of fit issues to deal with. If I didn't plan ahead, I would not have a wearable garment. However, I usually only focus on sewing one thing at a time because, again, lack of time for more lengthy sewing session. I guess this is part of the planning process for me as well though so I guess I do plan things out a lot :).Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00364694295649050249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-8646660658930603262021-11-16T09:28:22.136-05:002021-11-16T09:28:22.136-05:00I've been doing some batch cutting to try and ...I've been doing some batch cutting to try and make mini wardrobe capsules--however, it only works if both garments are a success. LOL. I also like having a couple of different projects underway. If I need an "easy" sew after work to unwind, then it's a usually a TNT or a basic pattern that doesn't require a lot of brain cells to fire. A new pattern definitely gets the pre-sew prep, which is rewarding in its own way.runlexlouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17195966304492055404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-87605905979165617602021-11-15T20:20:33.460-05:002021-11-15T20:20:33.460-05:00I 'agonize' over every sew. Matching patte...I 'agonize' over every sew. Matching pattern, inspiration and fabric. No cut piles here. (Sad emoji.) Don't love to toile, but it's saved a lot of heartache. <br />Now that you mention it, I do presew!Lodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13777295136016723298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-68685637381221124962021-11-15T17:49:26.052-05:002021-11-15T17:49:26.052-05:00Great question. I generally finish one project bef...Great question. I generally finish one project before starting the next, but right now I have a jacket cut out but am finishing a flannel big shirt. I want to add piping to the jacket (waterproof fabric) and didn't have any suitable fabric so I set aside and cut out the big shirt. But, my pre-sewing often happens while I am sleeping. Who knows how my mind thought of rip stop fabric the other night - and I checked the web before I got dressed! A trip to Joann resulted in a plain nylon for the piping, which will work well. <br /><br />If you consider looking at blogs, reading books, checking reviews on Pattern Review as pre-sewing, then I am guilty. I don't consider making muslins as pre-sewing, but fitting.<br /><br />As I am cutting out a project I will think ahead of whether I will make the pattern as is or make some changes. This morning I added the collar and then focused on the hem, but decided to add a HK-like finish to the hem bottom as the fabric as the red bias lining fabric pulled out the red lines of the plaid. If this is pre-sewing, then sometimes I pre-sew during the sewing! <br /><br />I do alterations and will think ahead of the steps to narrow the bodice, shorten the dress, or whatever. Guess I do more pre-sewing than I would have thought!<br /><br />Thanks for asking the question...... Mary JacksonMary Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04313195078664200215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-26863386780057543222021-11-15T12:17:26.430-05:002021-11-15T12:17:26.430-05:00I think my level of "pre-sewing" depends...I think my level of "pre-sewing" depends on the project. If it is something new or something that I know is going to be a challenge with lots of detailed steps, then I usually do quite a bit of pre-sewing (reading instructions, watching YouTube tutorials, making mock-ups). If it is something I feel confident in sewing, and I'm not using any new techniques I don't usually do too much pre-sewing because I feel confident in the steps I'm going to use. When I was designing and sewing skating costumes, I used to do a lot of pre-sewing. There isn't a lot of space to a leotard, but there is actually a lot to consider in terms of fit, comfort, and decoration, and the best ways to achieve these things for an overall look. I do miss the amount of pre-sewing thinking I put into those costumes, because I find that regular garment sewing doesn't demand as much pre-planning from me, or that it can be a bit more compartmentalized. I think this is because many of the details are isolated (for example, a welt pocket often is only sewn into one piece of fabric), as opposed to needing to flow into an overall 3D design like in a costume (where design elements may need to cross multiple seams to create an overall effect).Doctor T Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01579737383030185168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-53639772564771645482021-11-15T12:08:30.712-05:002021-11-15T12:08:30.712-05:00Thank you, Kathy. Lately I've been able to rea...Thank you, Kathy. Lately I've been able to really sew and focus on the blog again. I do enjoy it and appreciate your kind words. Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03672695141031447916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-48461530526733527802021-11-15T11:44:39.570-05:002021-11-15T11:44:39.570-05:00I pre-sew all the time. When I have appointments l...I pre-sew all the time. When I have appointments like doctor, oil change or hair, I take some patterns with me to read the instructions. There is always something I learn from the instructions and a lot I ignore. I don't cut multiple projects at a time because after pre-sewing I like to jump right in cut then sew.Shoediva60https://www.blogger.com/profile/12369501292141625057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-61481031022283208802021-11-15T11:18:34.087-05:002021-11-15T11:18:34.087-05:00I'm normally cutting one at a time, unless it&...I'm normally cutting one at a time, unless it's repeats of the same pattern. I sort of combine compartmentalizing and thinking it through. I think it through to find out what I can do before I need to go turn on the iron. Like finding all the bits that need interfacing fused, sew all the seams that can be before pressing is done, etc. Part of it is that now my iron is in a different room than the sewing machines, it also saves a tiny bit of time overall when I don't constantly need to wait for the iron to warm up, as I turn it off every time I'm done. JustGailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08948391538309176039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-42648064967665303622021-11-15T09:59:44.015-05:002021-11-15T09:59:44.015-05:00I presew all the time in my head, and I make musli...I presew all the time in my head, and I make muslins if I'm altering the pattern.<br /><br />However, I do not precut more than a garment or two - I *always* change my mind about what comes next, and if I have cut fabric waiting for me, it ends up feeling more like work and less like fun. Probably because that presewing creativity is the cool part... and I do that before I cut fabric. Hearthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17755578765945858847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-71314624846921958382021-11-15T09:46:55.650-05:002021-11-15T09:46:55.650-05:00Pre-sew, mostly when I am stuck in boring meetings...Pre-sew, mostly when I am stuck in boring meetings. Cut 10-12 projects at a time -- keeping the scraps with the project, because what if I change my mind mid-sew and need to swap out for contrast cuffs or collar? Try to sew things in the same colorway so I don't have to change thread so often, so very seldom do one project all the way through from start to finish all by itself. LinBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201009126846898608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-49228900889656744072021-11-15T08:22:30.913-05:002021-11-15T08:22:30.913-05:00I am guilty of overbuying supplies such as my sewi...I am guilty of overbuying supplies such as my sewing, knitting, crafts, etc. It has become worse since the internet introduced me to wonderful bloggers such as you! I never pre-cut - it scares me to think I would never get to the sewing piles. I have tried very hard in the past few years to use what I have before buying any more. I do "pre-sew"in the way of reading the pattern instructions multiple times and making all decisions on construction before I even start. If it is a garment, I completely sew one before I start another. But if it is something I am doing multiples of (mask-making or Christmas gifts), I will sew in sessions of one task before going to the next. I love some of the answers to your question and will try some of these suggestions for my sewing projects in the new year.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17899896728363922575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-27348373505907590722021-11-15T05:42:35.283-05:002021-11-15T05:42:35.283-05:00I usually cut one item at a time, although, having...I usually cut one item at a time, although, having said that, I've just cut two lots of the same tnt pattern. I have to work around my MS, so even if I wanted to, I'm unable to go straight into sewing after cutting out. But I take the 'resting' opportunity as a chance to read through all the instructions again and work out in my mind how to do things. Samantha Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516750207266501684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-88827601325991458722021-11-15T05:22:50.167-05:002021-11-15T05:22:50.167-05:00Hello,
Love this thought provoking 'question o...Hello,<br />Love this thought provoking 'question of the day'. How do I sew? I have been told repeatedly for many years I tend to overthink everything. I consider my tendencies as being prepared, for this or that, and all-encompassing consumed when I have no pattern or even something new. Reading and researching sometimes for days. I have to see the process and finished item in my minds eye, both. I seem to feel confident of my success for the item and then embark on the journey, although I am not always successful. I have never considered coining it 'pre-sew' but it works! I do have four items cut on hangars for -ouch- coming up on 4 yrs. I want to finish them before cutting more for lack of space but I moved (was taking care of my mom 250 miles away when the boys father suddenly died and I was demanded back) sososo many things are still in boxes. I have been going through boxes for 3 weeks and not yet found sewing boxes, yet! Its coming though. Getting distracted alot - when I got to picture and then craft boxes. LoL. So maybe I think 'yes' to be honest to all 4 of your intriguing questions about how I sew. Never going to change either. It works for me. I am curious now if I could actually try to make a garment based upon some fantastic old buttons I collected when I worked in a garment district 40+ decades ago. Thank you, thank you for your beautiful blog and your bloggers. You all are awesome.shakingroundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16768885328742151703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-50402589014352481212021-11-15T04:21:30.204-05:002021-11-15T04:21:30.204-05:00I will batch-cut if I'm making multiples of a ...I will batch-cut if I'm making multiples of a tnt pattern, but for anything new, I have the best results if I don't even start the project until I have most if not all the layout and construction clear in my mind. For most projects, that means the least time is spent at my sewing machines, compared to the prep.ParisGrrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04808620060144089897noreply@blogger.com