In this month’s NSC LIVE, Nicki LaFoille discussed how to make adjustments to sleeve caps and how to sew a French seam. Nicki also talked about working with all different types of fabric, from faux leather to knit, and sequined to silk. She also answered your question about building a fabric stash and explained how to do both shirring and couching.
I am start time quilter so what kind of quilt do think I should do?
Hi Dolores. I would recommend either searching out an easy block or two you want to try making first, like a four patch or a nine patch to just try out piecing. Once you get familiar with the concept of piecing you can then either search out other beginner/intermediate quilting patterns or start playing around with creating your own. Sometimes learning by creating your own patterns and designs, and making mistakes along the way, is the best way to both learn and remember a new skill.
Hope this helps!
Join the American Sewing Guild if you have a group in your area. You’ll find great new friends and get lots of ideas for projects.
Looking forward to this
How would I change very wide legged pants into bootleg ones? Do I take in both inner and outer seams and from which point doI start the flare?
Hi Lorraine. To do this I would recommend taking in on both the inner and outer seams, especially if the leg is very flared. This will help make it so the seams still stay in the right position on the leg and don’t end up twisting to one side. I would start the seam several inches below the knee. This is where most pants start to flare the most.
Hope this helps!
To enlarge the arm whole, I think it would be best to lower the arm whole by the side seam. This should give a little more room.
I’m Late!!! I’m Late for a very important date!!!
I have narrow shoulders and when I buy a sweatshirt the shoulder seam hangs over my shoulder. How can I make the shoulder fit better so it doesn’t look so sloppy?
Hi Jane. Here is a great step-by-step tutorial on how to do a narrow shoulder adjustment:
http://curvysewingcollective.com/tutorial-narrow-shoulder-adjustment/
Hope this helps!
I would like to learn how to fix holes on wool garments(fabric), woven and knit also. Do you have video klasses for that?
I would like to know how to fix holes in fabrics, also. I was trying to fix a men’s suit that had gotten holes, and everytime I tried to take a stitch, the material frayed more. How do you deal with that?
Hi Sherry. When it comes to fixing small holes in fabric- the method you use will depend on the type of fabric you are tying to sew. For example, with cotton, denim or another heavier fabric that doesn’t tend to fray too much while you sew, you can simply align the edges of the hole right sides together and stitch along the raw edge with a straight stitch. If the holes are in a knit or other stretchy fabric you may need to use a serger, a zig zag stitch or an overlock stitch to secure the edges.
For the suit, I would recommend cutting very thin strips of lightweight, woven, fusible interfacing and applying it to the wrong side of the fabric around the whole. This should keep the fabric from fraying while you try to stitch it. The interfacing is permanent and can just be left in place. Since the strips are small and lightweight they should not get in the way of anything or change the look of the fabric.
Hope this helps!
Hello! So glad y’all are doing these live Q&As. I noticed we have the same Brother sewing machine – can you talk a bit about the tension knob setting – I’m not sure which is the best setting. Thanks!!
What is a good way to sew straight lines I have sewn for years but still don’t get my lines or seems straight ??
Curious
If dress pants are too large, where is the one area that you can open and take up the entire pant?
You really can answer such a wide variety of questions, very knowledgeable. Did you know a lot about sewing before Sew News Mag?
Never seen anything like this before. SO informative. Thank you!
How do you add a partial ruffle at the top of shoulder sleeve (around 2 inches) . How would you measure for extra fabric. This is my own pattern. I be seen it on ready wear clothing.
Thank you.
Looking forward to this webinar!
Are there any places you can get machine specific lessons to download. Due to a major pipe burst and water leak, insurance upgraded to a ruby deluxe, which intimidates me. I would like a DVD type “class” I can play and replay until I feel more comfortable with the machine.
What about using a walking foot?
Curious to see how this works
Just checking it out.
I look forward to watching
Joining in to learn more
how do I increase the bust size from a smaller size pattern?
I have narrow shoulders along with large upper arms. How can I deal with this?
What is your fabric stash like…..types of fabric, what do you make?
I hope we will be able to see this again later for reference. Looking forward to this experience!
You will be, Sherry! This live stream is uploaded to the NSC YouTube page as soon as it’s finished, and we also send out a recap e-mail to all Newsletter members a few days after the event – so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to check it out!
SRK
Wow, this is going to be a real treat. Class while at home. Thank you!
Curious about how this live series works.
My first time here…
I have large upper arms. What is the best way to enlarge this area without making the armhole too big?
Ready to learn
Looking forward to this discussion.
Want to see how this works
Hope not too late
We go live in 20 minutes so no worries, you’re right on time!
SRK
Have never done a webinar, looking forward to it.