Sew Up Some Black Pants Quick!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
- by Marian Lewis

©2005 Marian Lewis – All Rights Reserved

First Step To Sewing Success
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Black Pants Get My Vote As The Most Versatile Garment.
Sew Them Or Buy Them, But Please Make Sure They Fit!

Here we are at the airport on our way to my husband's 50th High School Reunion in PA. We are looking forward to seeing many of our "old friends."

As I sit here, people watching, I can't help but notice how people dress.

There was a time, I remember, that we went to the airport to see travelers all dressed up in their suits and fancy clothes. In fact, I got a lot of my design ideas from watching well-dressed travelers.

I copied an awesome snake skin raincoat once! I loved it! Of course, my coat was made of a vinyl snake skin, but it really looked great. I wore it for years!

Now, you rarely see anyone well-dressed. It seems that everyone looks the same no matter what their age or size, toddler to grandma. They are all extremely casual. In some cases, I would even say the dress is downright sloppy.

Most folks are in shirts and pants, but do they have to look like they wore them to bed?

What happened? Doesn't anyone care how they look anymore? I know everyone is into being comfortable, but do they ever look in a mirror? Good grief!

I believe you can dress casual and still look really nice and even be very comfortable.

The #1 basic garment for everyone on my list would be a well-fitted pair of black pants. notice, I said, "well-fitted." The majority of pants I see simply do not fit. But, that's another story!

You can do so much with black pants. A change of tops and shoes can take you from business to pleasure, from play to church and anything in between anytime of year, any place in the world.

It's time to board. . .more on the plane.

Here we are, up in the air and I'm on my computer writing this. I'm still so amazed by all this technology. It sure beats handwriting notes and retyping. This is awesome!

In the magazine in the seat pocket in front of me is a listing of restaurants in a major city. I can see why people are so confused about what to wear.

The restaurants are rated from 1-4 $ signs and also indicate the appropriate attire required.
These are the words used to describe what to wear at each of the restaurants listed:

Casual
FunkyCasual
Funky/Dressy Casual
Dressed Up/Smart Casual
Casual to Dressy
Dressy/Smart Casual
Dressy/Funky Casual
Dressed Up
Dressy Casual
Dressy Casual/Dressy
Dressy
Smart Casual
Dressy Casual/Dressy
and then, my favorite: Anything Goes
But wait, what is this? Anything Goes/Dressy Casual

Does anyone really understand this and know what to wear?

Maybe that's why they look like they do! They have simply given up trying to figure it out.

Just what does "casual" mean today? What is the difference between Funky Casual, Dressy Casual, Smart Casual and just plain Casual?

And I wonder what people wear to the "Anything Goes/Dressy Casual" place? That should be interesting!

Now, does Dressy and Dressed Up mean the same as "Informal" or is that "Formal?" I am really confused.

I think this would be a great topic for Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes.

As for me, I think I'll wear my "Black Pants!"

It just makes sense!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor, author and creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks who want great fitting skirts and pants. In her ebook, she teaches step-by-step common sense techniques how to find out WHAT you really need, WHERE you really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Discover Fitting Secrets To Achieve Sewing Success

Click Here =>
"Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants"

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

**Attn: Ezine editors / Site owners **

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine, blog, autoresponder, or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

Feel free to substitute your affiliate link in place of our link in the resource box.

Affiliate details are available here:

"1st Step To Sewing Success" Affiliate Program

See more about sewing

Keywords: sewing, sewing tips, sewing techniques, sewing projects, how to sew, sew

Feed Shark

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Stop Backstitching When You Sew! Eliminate That "Homemade" Look!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

- by Marian Lewis

©2005 Marian Lewis

– All Rights Reserved

1st Step To Sewing Success

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Attention: All sewing machine operators, seamtresses, anyone who loves to sew or teaches sewing, try a common sense technique.

Stop Backstitching When You Sew!

Help Eliminate That "Homemade" Look!

When you sew, why do you backstitch when you begin and end a seam?

Most of you backstitch because someone on your sewing learning path said you should do that to keep your seams from coming apart.

Well, now, I want you to forget that reverse button and listen to some common sense stuff!

When you backstitch, you go forward, back and forward again, right? That puts 3 layers of stitching at the beginning and end of every seam.

Even if you back up straight, which is almost impossible to do, 3 layers of stitching creates a lot of bulk in these areas. This is really bad on thin, sheer fabrics and ugly, too.

That part of the seam doesn't open out flat or press well, either. It helps to make lumpy corners, too. Who needs lumpy corners? Gives the garment that "homemade" look! Yuk!

OK, I can hear you say that you don't backstitch. You either hand tie your threads or sink or drop a knot with your machine by stitching in place for several stitches.

That's fine, but then you trim the seam allowance down and cut off that knot, right? So why waste the time to tie or sink knots?

So, you are asking, "What is the trick to keep seams from coming apart if you don't backstitch?"

Try this! It just makes sense!

For about 1" - 1-1/2", begin and end all your seams with "short stitches."

Instead of pressing the reverse button to backstitch, set your stitch length down to make 18-20 short stitches per inch.

On some machines, that is number 1. You will have to check it on yours. See below how to do that.

Short stitches secure your seams and eliminate all bulk even after you trim the seam allowance. This makes much neater, flatter corners. Everyone wants flat corners, right?

After you stitch the seam, press it open before you trim anything off the seam allowance. It is easier to press a wider seam allowance open than a tiny one. You won't burn as many fingers that way.

Besides, pressing seams open first will give you a much sharper, cleaner, more professional looking finish.

All seams should be "sandwiched pressed" (both layers together) to set the stitches and then pressed open with the tip or point of the iron right along the stitching line, then pressed flat open.

Notice, I said "pressed" - that's a lifting, lowering motion - not "ironed" - that's a sliding, stretching motion.

Now, if the seam allowances are going to lay one on top of the other in the finished garment, you would then press them to one side. But, when your trim, make sure you trim one of the seam allowances a little less than the other one to create a staggered or layered effect. This is often called, "grading the seam allowance."

The wider seam allowance should always be the one that lays next to the outside of the garment. This greatly reduces bulk in seams.

You can sometimes achieve this effect by angling your scissors when you trim both seam allowances together. I generally prefer to use my "duckbill" scissors for this job.

Here is a tip if you don't know where to find 18-20 stitches on your machine.

To easily find out how many stitches per inch is represented by each number on your sewing machine's stitch length indicator, try this technique:

Thread your sewing machine with a dark colored thread.

Pin 2 small pieces of light colored cotton broadcloth fabric together one on top of the other.

You want the dark thread on the light fabric so you can see your stitches really well. You want 2 layers of fabric because your seams are usually made with 2 layers of fabric.

Draw two 6" long lines exactly 1" apart on the top layer. Use a dark pen or pencil for this. It should be a thin line, not a wide, fat line.

Set the stitch length on your sewing machine for the highest number. Example: No. 4 or 6 or whatever it is.

Beginning about 1/2" above the top line, stitch across the 2 lines and beyond the bottom line about 1/2".

Now, count the stitches between the 2 lines that are 1" apart. Example: 8 stitches.

Write the Stitch Length Machine Number (Example: 4) and the number of stitches per inch beside it (Example: 8). I write mine on the fabric test sample like this: #4=8.

Move over on the fabric and select the next number on your machine and repeat the process until you are down to the lowest number.

If you can't see the stitches well enough to count them accurately, use a magnifying glass.

Keep this test sample in your sewing notebook for reference.

When you learn where your stitch length must be set to have 18-20 stitches per inch, make a note or mark it until you remember to reduce your stitch length each time you begin and end a seam.

It will take a while to break your old habit of backstitching, but you will see better results with short stitches.

Try it! It just makes sense!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

End Of Article

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

PS: If you enjoyed this article or have a comment, please do so here on my Sewing Blog.

Actually, you can check out most of my articles here. You might find something that interests you. I welcome your feedback :-)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

If you have sewing related questions that you would like to have answered, ask them here or at:

=> http://1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/questionburning.html

I'll do my best to answer them for you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor, author and creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks who want great fitting skirts and pants. In her mini-course ebook, she teaches step-by-step common sense techniques how to find out WHAT you really need, WHERE you really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern.

Marian is also the author of many articles and other mini-course ebooks related to sewing highlighting, "It Doesn't LOOK Homemade"Sewing Techniques.

Copy and paste the link now to check out her website at:

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/

Discover Fitting And Sewing SecretsTo Achieve Sewing SuccessFor information on the mini-course ebook:

"Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants"

Copy and paste the link:

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/fitting.html

For information on the mini-course ebook:

"Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids"

Copy and paste the link:

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html

For information on the mini-course ebook:

"Classy Designer Straight Skirt"

Copy and paste the link:

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

**Attn: Ezine editors / Site owners **

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine, blog, autoresponder, or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

Please let us know if you use the article and where you put it so we can take a look. Thanks!Feel free to substitute your affiliate link in place of our link in the resource box.

Affiliate details are available here:

"1st Step To Sewing Success" Affiliate Program

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/affiliate.html

See more about sewing

Keywords: sewing, sewing tips, sewing techniques, sewing projects, how to sew, sew

Feed Shark

Link

Kids Love Playing Dress Up

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Kids Love Playing Dress Up

- by Marian Lewis

© 2005 Marian Lewis – All Rights Reserved

1st Step To Sewing Success

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Give the kids a "Dress Up Box" of costumes for Christmas!
Play Halloween all year long and create lasting memories!

Hi Sewing Friend!

I was just putting the finishing touches on a long black coat that my grandson wants to wear to his college "Halloween Party." He is going as the guy from "The Matrix." I told him it would be a great witches' coat, too, but he prefers "The Matrix." It is made from a black denim fabric and is floor length. With his dark glasses, he looks "way cool!"

While doing this, my mind was flooded with fond memories of making "costumes" for my grandchildren. I made so many of the Disney characters, all of the princesses and princes and an awful lot of other story book and cartoon characters. Plus, I'm not sure how many Renaissance Faire outfits I put together for them.

What fun for me and the kids. They still love to dress up and they are adults now.

Some of their favorite outfits are treasures to them. They won't give them away even though they outgrew them years ago. They are saving them for their children.

WOW! How cool is that!

I know that Halloween time is the season many of you get out your machines and sew. But, don't just think of Halloween costumes.

Why not sew up several play outfits or costumes and put them into a "Dress Up Box" to give the kids for Christmas! Both boys and girls love this.

Kids need some creative play time. Everything doesn't have to be an electronic gadget!

Clean out your old costume jewelry, old hats, scarves, handbags, belts, gloves, formals, shoes, etc., and add them to the box. If you don't have anything, go to the Goodwill Store and look for bridesmaids hats, formals, boas, beads, etc. Peasant blouses make great pirate shirts.

Add a make-up kit if Mom allows. They love make-up!

Now is the time to pick up some funny wigs, too. Party and costume stores as well as large stores like "Walmart" and "Target" have lots of accessories to add this time of year.

These are gifts of love that form a bond between you and your grandkids forever. They won't remember the gadgets, nor will they remember the checks or money you give them.

They absolutely will always remember their special "Dress Up Box". They will remember being "Tinker Bell" or "Jasmine" or "Belle" or "Captain Hook" or "A Musketeer" or even "The Matrix."

And, they will always remember, too, that "Gammy did it!"


PS: If you don't sew, watch for costume sales after Halloween and scoop them up for your Christmas "Dress Up Box." Have fun!




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

End Of Article

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

PS: If you enjoyed this article or have a comment, please do so here on my Sewing Blog.

Actually, you can check out most of my articles here. You might find something that interests you. I welcome your feedback :-)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

If you have sewing related questions that you would like to have answered, ask them here or at:

=> http://1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/questionburning.html

I'll do my best to answer them for you.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Marian Lewis is a sewing instructor, author and creator of an amazing new fitting method for hard-to-fit sewing folks who want great fitting skirts and pants. In her mini-course ebook, she teaches step-by-step common sense techniques how to find out WHAT you really need, WHERE you really need it and HOW to apply that to a commercial sewing pattern.

Marian is also the author of many articles and other mini-course ebooks related to sewing highlighting, "It Doesn't LOOK Homemade"Sewing Techniques.

Copy and paste the link now to check out her website at:

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/

Discover Fitting And Sewing SecretsTo Achieve Sewing SuccessFor information on the mini-course ebook:

"Common Sense Fitting Method For Hard-To-Fit Sewing Folks Who Want Great Fitting Skirts And Pants"

Copy and paste the link:

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/fitting.html

For information on the mini-course ebook:

"Sew A Tee Pee And Accessories For Your Tribe Of Kids"

Copy and paste the link:

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html

For information on the mini-course ebook:

"Classy Designer Straight Skirt"

Copy and paste the link:

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/sewing.html

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

**Attn: Ezine editors / Site owners **

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine, blog, autoresponder, or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

Please let us know if you use the article and where you put it so we can take a look. Thanks!Feel free to substitute your affiliate link in place of our link in the resource box.

Affiliate details are available here:

"1st Step To Sewing Success" Affiliate Program

=> http://www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com/affiliate.html

See more about sewing

Keywords: sewing, sewing tips, sewing techniques, sewing projects, how to sew, sew

Feed Shark

Link

First Step To Sewing Success Launched

Well Hallelujah! I finally gave birth to my first website. I have to say that it was harder for me to do than giving birth to my children. That came naturally. Birthing a website certainly did not! I'm just not a technical person. I'm just a FL grandmother who wants to share her passion with the world.

Of course, I had to do this thing myself. I'm too strong willed to admit that I couldn't. And so, I struggled long and hard. And, I keep making mistakes and I keep learning! My grandchildren kept me going feeding me the same encouraging words that I always say to them when they feel overwhelmed with something.

"You can do anything!" Phil:4:13

And so, 1ststeptosewingsuccess.com is out there for the world to see. Hopefully, someone will find some information there to help them either in their sewing, fitting or whatever else I feel compelled to write about.

I've taught sewing all my life it seems. Because I am a hard-to-fit senior with a lopsided body, I was driven to develop my own fitting method to help me determine what the heck I really needed to get a good fit, especially in pants.

A tape measure only told me how many cookies I ate. That wasn't exactly what I needed to know. And so, using plain old common sense, I created my method and now, I want to share it with all misfits everywhere because it works!

I also have a number of common sense sewing techniques that I will share. They are easy and will help give your garments a more professional look. I'm a little slow in getting these together, but they will come as I graduate from this techie stuff, hopefully.

I'm not here to compete with anyone or to bash anyone's methods. They all have their place. My hope is to enhance your sewing by what I offer. I hope you try it and like it. I will not be offering a complete sewing or fitting course. There are plenty of those around.

That said, it is really hard to tell what you might find here. I hope to answer some of your questions, if I can.

It is time for me to share. I want to try to do it this way. It just makes sense!

Visit my site and let me know what you think!

It is time to take that 1st Step To Sewing And Fitting Success

It just makes sense!


See more about sewing

Keywords: sewing, sewing tips, sewing techniques, sewing projects, how to sew, sew

Feed Shark