The Sewing Place

The Emporia => Fun with Fabric => Topic started by: Sewot on November 18, 2020, 01:09:46 AM

Title: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Sewot on November 18, 2020, 01:09:46 AM
HI all.
I hope this ends up in the " Fun with Fabric " corner as I am deffo having that albeit frustrating.
I am making sails for my Radio Controlled model yachts.
With the larger sails already sewn it is not so noticeable but I am trying to sew a very small Top Sail which is supposed to be Triangular with STRAIGHT sides and the process is giving me grief.
I just cannot, however hard I try, get the sides straight.
I really would appreciate any pointers you may have to offer if you could spare me your time.
The first two attempts in yellow poplin ( 80% synthetic) are really bad.
The third attempt with Egyptian cotton is getting there but still niggling me.
I have tested my machine tensions to exhaustion and as far as I see it, it is perfectly set but I may be missing something vital here?
Less tension??
Has anyone sewn a triangle and experienced this please?
Pete
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Renegade Sewist on November 18, 2020, 05:26:50 AM
 :laughing: ah, the joy of true bias.

Next attempt, and mind you, just a theory, starch the fabric before cutting. Make sure that one of the sides is on the true straight of grain when you cut it. Also I would cut strips of stabilizer to run underneath it when I sew it. Wash away, tear away or heat away types.

You could also use a tiny width of something like steam a seam when you press up the hems.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: snoozi soozi on November 18, 2020, 07:43:03 AM
Yeah, cutting on the bias is the prob.
How about cutting a square and folding it to a triangle and stitching up that way?  :thinking:
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Iminei on November 18, 2020, 08:04:42 AM
Well if our Notifications thingy worked I would say @BrendaP  !!!

She is the mathematical whizz, a title shared with @Deafoldbat but I suggest you are cutting catawompuss
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Efemera on November 18, 2020, 08:42:28 AM
Stay stitch the edges before you turn the hem.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Flobear on November 18, 2020, 09:12:29 AM
Two edges will always be on the bias even if one is on the straight grain. I agree with Rene, that spray starch may be your friend here but narrow hems on the wonk are never easy.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: BrendaP on November 18, 2020, 09:42:59 AM
It's not a mathematical thing, it's a problem with cutting fabric on the bias, and any triangle has to have at least two sides cut on the bias - not necessarily true bias which is 45 degrees to the grain, but nevertheless bias, or off-grain.

Things that will help are:
Choose a closely woven stable fabric.
Use starch.
Carefully stay stitch the edges - reduce presser foot tension and DON'T pull the fabric as you sew.
Press, don't iron.
Use a fusible interfacing.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: BrendaP on November 18, 2020, 09:45:01 AM
Well if our Notifications thingy worked I would say @BrendaP  !!!

She is the mathematical whizz, a title shared with @Deafoldbat but I suggest you are cutting catawompuss
@Iminei
I didn't get an email notification, but I did see "MyProfile" highlighted at the top of the page.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Acorn on November 18, 2020, 10:11:11 AM
It's just the email notifications of the notifications that are not working.  Fortunately the onsite stuff is fine.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Sewot on November 18, 2020, 20:17:57 PM
Thank you all for your help.
Mine eyes hath opened!!!
It seems like cutting on the bias is the problem.
I did use startch with the blue one but only on the edges so next time I will startch the whole piece.
Stay stitching may be a prob as its only a 1/4" hem.
I do remember moving the cloth around as I cut it due to insufficient space but next time I will lay it out on the floor and cut it whilst not moving it.( the cloth that is!!!)
I will startch it and press the hems over whilst it is still lying unmoved.
Who'd have thought such a silly simple thing eh?.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Sewot on November 18, 2020, 23:09:40 PM
I have now almost sewn up a main sail.
I have paid attention to all your points except the fusible interfacing as I smellt somehow I am going to mess it right up taking the interfacing off.
Anyways as you can see its a lot straighter.
Not perfect but I never will be and I can live with what I have done.
I enjoyed flipping from the zig zag to straight stitching and think its quite cool.
I achieved a near perfect bias by withdrawing strands of cotton until the warp was straight then drew a line next to it.
I have never worked with Egyptian cotton before but it is lovely stuff to work with.
They seem to make the fabric differently in that there are two distinct colours.
White and dark blue.
This dark blue loses its darkness when woven with the white weft thingies?
It is very clever and easy to sort out where the straights are.
I bought the Egyptian cotton in a thrift shop for $8.00.
It was two pillow cases and and douvet cover.
Thats four quid in UK!!!!
Thats what I call good fun with fabric.
Sewing triangles is not for the faint hearted.
But now????
Huh!!! ....childsplay .
Thanks Peeps.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: fajita on November 18, 2020, 23:14:34 PM
You could draw your triangle onto your fabric, sew the outline, then cut. Helps a bit. (Bit late for this, but there you go).
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Sewot on November 19, 2020, 00:53:35 AM
You could draw your triangle onto your fabric, sew the outline, then cut. Helps a bit. (Bit late for this, but there you go).
Thats a good idea ...like stay stitching?
But which side of the stitching do I cut?
Do I keep the stitching on the inside?
Bearing in mind the hem is only 1/4" doubled over.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: fajita on November 19, 2020, 10:00:15 AM
Cut outside the stitching.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Iminei on November 19, 2020, 15:22:23 PM
I think the last two pics looked great and I love the quality of the stitching ... Beaut!
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Sewot on November 19, 2020, 23:19:19 PM
Thanks to all your pointers on how to get straight sided triangles I have now completed a new suit of sails.
It has taken three attempts to achieve what you see.
I am pleased with the result and confident she will sail beautifully.
Not exactly a quilt or quality shirt but it is to do with sewing.
I knew the machine would come in useful.
Cheers.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on November 20, 2020, 10:56:12 AM
I'm a bit late I see, but I would have suggested using wondertape along the edges before hemming.  It would stop them stretching out as you stitch, then washes away.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Sewot on November 21, 2020, 00:59:48 AM
I'm a bit late I see, but I would have suggested using wondertape along the edges before hemming.  It would stop them stretching out as you stitch, then washes away.
Now thats a wonderful suggestion!.
I will be making more sails for my next boat so will definately do just that.
Thank you for your help.
Title: Re: A Bad case of Triangulitis!!!
Post by: Flobear on November 21, 2020, 14:11:52 PM
Lovely job @Sewot  :thumbsup:  And great to see how a sewing machine is useful for more than just quilting, dressmaking and soft furnishings!