Hi

I've been sewing dog bandanas and decided the curved 'bib' type are the best fitting. I do my best in terms of following the rules.  I know about making little cuts into the curve ( in my case, it's a gradual concave curve), but I wonder if I can avoid doing that - because the seam allowance will be 6 mm and I don't want to finish the seams.

It's not that I'm lazy, it's just that (for research purposes) I deconstructed the same 'bib  / boomerang' type bandanas by a big seller on 'Etsy'.  I noticed that she didn't appear to have finished her seams.  She had zero puckering around the concave curve of her bandana.  I wonder how she achieved that?   How did she end up with no puckering without making snips?  You see, the seam, when opened-up presented no evidence of having been clipped.

If you google suitable fabric for making dog bandanas, you get "100% cotton."  Would any of you use fabric other than cotton to make a dog bandana?  I don't fancy using anything which would irritate or cause harm to a dog, nor do I want to sew with something with a lot of stretch, because I'd struggle sewing with it.

Any suggestions?

Hello again,

Has anyone used one of those "We Print Your Design on Fabric" firms?  Are the prices exorbitant?  Supply consistent? Deliveries prompt?  I know it's lockdown and things are unpredictable, but any insight or experience would be most welcome thank you!

Hello, it's Suburban the perpetual beginner.  I wrote about a year ago wanting to make dog coats.  I did make them - the second was better than the first attempt - but not waterproof as I'd hoped.  Too tricky.  I'm blaming my sister's dog's awkward shape.  Anyway I've had better luck with sewing envelope cushions, I keep calling them "pillows" because the yanks do online.  I watch their tutorials on YouTube.   I'm progressing to cushions with zips ( "zippers!" ) and piping, but my machine is sabotaging me. 

I went with the Janome Sewist 525S, because it had a decent reputation for beginners.  I know there's a newer version of it, but mine is "new" to me.  Anyway, I was advised to think twice before buying because you can't move the needle when you want to.  I mean, if you want to use the zipper foot - you simply can't move the needle right over to the left. I mean you can, but it quickly protests: Manual expressly states, For zipper foots:  "Stitch Width 5" only.  I wish I'd listened.  I regret the purchase.

In order to make piping - which I really need to do on my cushions ( a present for my Mum ), I need that needle to move right over to the left.  I bought a special, adjustable foot online, £16! which I thought was the answer to my prayers.   Marketed as being a 'Janome' and "suitable for all Category B machines."  It can't be fitted, it has a screw where there is no "port" to fit it on my machine.  I'm kind of angry, not only with the lying foot, but because this machine was used on the British Sewing Bee. Why, when it's so problematic?  I can't find a way to sew piping onto a cushion.  Had to do it by hand and my eyes are nearly 50 years old.  No can do.

I'm getting annoyed and insanely bitter at all the Yanks on YouTube with their sparkling Babylock machines saying, "Just make sure you move your needle right over to the left there..."

Anyone else had this trouble with trying to machine sew piping around cushions?  Can you please advise me? 

Back in the 1800s at school, my sewing teacher said it was her ambition to teach me how to sew.  She didn't succeed, so please be patient with my stupid questions.