The Sewing Place

The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Patterns Discussion => Topic started by: Gernella on July 31, 2021, 09:45:32 AM

Title: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Gernella on July 31, 2021, 09:45:32 AM
All I had to do yesterday was trim the coverstitched hem, fabric that was fine and without spending hours tweaking would have tunnelled.   I was nearly done when I got distracted, small hole cut (DH yelling at the cat).

After considering all options, I pinned some fabric on the back and used the machine's repair stitch, without looking at the manual first.  Not a neat job, machine went back and I wanted it forward, but it was okay and would always be unseen.  I turned it over and decided to trim off my patch.  One end done and DH walked in and asked me  something, stopped with the scissors, he went out, started again and my hand juddered (my excuse).  Another hole, bigger.

I weighed up the possibilities of cutting the whole lot off and doing the hem again, probably feasible.  I wanted it finished, so went upstairs and found a broad length of bias binding same colour (how lucky was that), trimmed some off and machined it on the bottom, just above the coverstitching.  A little label, it looked.

This morning I'm wearing it, plenty of room to cut off and redo but I'm leaving it, as a warning.  DH is practically blind in the house unless you draw his attention to something so he'll never notice, probably.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on July 31, 2021, 10:00:09 AM
I've done that too when trimming after cover stitching - I just don't trim now!
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Starryfish on July 31, 2021, 10:50:45 AM
I bought some duckbilled scissors and they are excellent at preventing trimming accidents!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prym-Appliqu%C3%A9-Scissors-inch-Rose/dp/B07HNSVDYD/ref=asc_df_B07HNSVDYD/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=378439912007&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3789223025083590611&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046026&hvtargid=pla-614708233892&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=84034939344&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=378439912007&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3789223025083590611&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046026&hvtargid=pla-614708233892

Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ohsewsimple on July 31, 2021, 11:30:37 AM
Oh I can cut into fabric using duck billed scissors! :headbang:
I actually stopped using them for the hems after coverstitching and prefer to use my tiny Janome embroidery scissors. 
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Gernella on July 31, 2021, 13:38:08 PM
That was what I was using @Starryfish , fool proof normally although to be honest this is the only fabric I've ever had problems with using the coverstitch with, it's so flipping fine and silky.  I think I got careless because I was on the last bit.

Still got another 3 meters to practice on (bought originally for  dressing gown).  I'll do one with long sleeves next for winter.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Iminei on August 01, 2021, 06:08:52 AM
Im not entirely sure about what you are referring to (as no pics) but I trimmed the label from the toddler PJ bottoms I inadvertently bought a few months ago ...

BIG mistake ... HUGE!

I now have a 2" slit in the overlocked outside seam of the botts !  >:)   :(  Peekaboo PJ botts anyone ?
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Gernella on August 01, 2021, 11:04:27 AM
Not the best of pictures @Iminei but a bit difficult taking a picture of yourself at crotch level.

(https://i.imgur.com/vEPDxkPm.jpg)

If I'd had one of those sew on motifs or similar, that could have gone over it.  When I first started sewing I did get some 'own labels' which I now don't use, haven't got the time to faff, but it was too narrow.  Can't remember what I bought this for but it's the widest cotton bias binding I have.

Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: annieeg on August 01, 2021, 11:44:40 AM
@Gernella   Very resourceful and looks perfectly ok from the photo :thumbsup:
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ouryve on August 29, 2021, 16:37:20 PM
So frustrating.

I finished the shirt I made for my husband, last week. For the first time ever, even doing the pin trick that I've done hundreds of times, I ripped straight past the end of the buttonhole.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Renegade Sewist on August 29, 2021, 16:51:39 PM
So frustrating.

I finished the shirt I made for my husband, last week. For the first time ever, even doing the pin trick that I've done hundreds of times, I ripped straight past the end of the buttonhole.

 :( How frustrating. I don't trust seam rippers for this job. I don't do many buttonholes but I either do the pin at each end and cut with a sharp xacto knife or use a small sharp chisel.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ouryve on August 29, 2021, 17:15:41 PM
:( How frustrating. I don't trust seam rippers for this job. I don't do many buttonholes but I either do the pin at each end and cut with a sharp xacto knife or use a small sharp chisel.

I normally only start with the ripper and finish with embroidery scissors but the fabric decided it was going to yield with much less complaint than every needle or pin I'd every stuck in it!
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ohsewsimple on August 29, 2021, 17:17:38 PM
Oh dear.  Yeah the pin trick doesn’t work.  Much better to start a small hole with the ripper in the middle.  Then use very sharp scissors and cut from the middle to the outside of both ends.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ellabella on August 29, 2021, 17:46:48 PM
On anything other than very substantial fabrics I usually fold the buttonhole in half and do a tiny snip with very sharp scissors and then open out and snip from the middle to each end.

My Karen Kaye Buckley serrated scissors are my go to every time.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ploshkin on August 29, 2021, 19:33:19 PM
I always use a seam ripper for buttonholes.  I cut from each end to the middle.  I've never even come close to a near miss - I would have to be seriously not concentrating.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Gernella on August 30, 2021, 13:16:40 PM
Having made a 'mistake' in the past I have one of those Clover buttonhole cutters, with a piece of wood underneath.  Must have used it a lot because there are slits all over the wood.  So far, never failed me @Ouryve .
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ouryve on August 30, 2021, 13:40:34 PM
I shall have to look for one of those :thumbsup:
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Lowena on August 30, 2021, 13:45:31 PM
I don't understand...having never made a garment nor seen an unfinished buttonhole.
I thought the buttonhole attachment made....a buttonhole! ie. open in the middle and bound round the edges. I take it,that's not the case .....

Everyday is a school day :thinking:
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: dolcevita on August 30, 2021, 15:50:51 PM
Buttonhole chisel - no slippage as long as you've got a nice bit of wood underneath.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Elnnina on August 30, 2021, 16:09:47 PM
Oh yes the buttonhole chisel with the block of wood is excellent - I also use a wooden steak hammer to use on the chisel and this hammer stays here in my room - it has never been used for anything else.  Just be aware that the little chisel is so dinky - my husband has his eye on this for what reason I do not know, but it is a sewing chisel not a wood working one.  I actually have the Bernina one which is now frightfully expensive, but I am sure the Clover one is more reasonable.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ouryve on August 30, 2021, 17:44:36 PM
Haha, I can just see a chisel going walkies in our house. I have a pink toolkit because I wa sick of my screwdrivers getting "put away" in the unfathomable depths of one of someone else's toolboxes
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Bumblebuncher on August 30, 2021, 18:05:48 PM
@Ouryve I bought a pink toolkit for the same reason, then one of the bf's decided it was easier to use my toolkit than dig through the manly ones.  The pink turned a grubby black from his use with several tools  ><
I got angry and shouted, nobody used it again but it was never the same after that  :(
BB
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Ouryve on August 30, 2021, 18:16:49 PM
@Ouryve I bought a pink toolkit for the same reason, then one of the bf's decided it was easier to use my toolkit than dig through the manly ones.  The pink turned a grubby black from his use with several tools  ><
I got angry and shouted, nobody used it again but it was never the same after that  :(
BB

Mine gets used, too, but it's not allowed out of my sight - or anywhere near the black hole in the garage!

I need some pink garden tools, mind.
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Celia on August 31, 2021, 09:34:29 AM
I once bought a pink computer for the same reason
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Flobear on August 31, 2021, 09:38:55 AM
The solution I have is to meet a man/partner who has done very little DIY so does not have many tools - just one portable tool-box full. Consequently all the power tools and hand tools in the shed are mine. Of course it means I do all the DIY unless I hire a professional  :[
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Bodgeitandscarper on August 31, 2021, 11:28:42 AM
I agree with @Flobear , my man had never done any diy either, any tools he had were very old and his dad's.   I do allow him to use some of my tools but only under supervision  :laughing:
Title: Re: When the hole gets bigger, keep on digging
Post by: Nevis5 on August 31, 2021, 11:30:23 AM
Haha I wish I could dissuade DH from attempting any DIY.  Always a nightmare.  And I bought a pink watering can in the spring as I'm sick of all mine disappearing off to the allotment.  Strangely it's still here  :thumbsup: