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After I get home from the fabric store, I’m always super excited to get started on my new project. But then I remember all the things you must do before the sewing part can actually begin… You must preshrink your fabric and then cut out all your pattern pieces — two tedious tasks that take time. This post is all about the cutting phase.
Precise cuts and proper marking go a long way in setting your sewing project up for success. Here are four mistakes you’ll want to avoid while cutting out your pattern pieces.
Neglecting to Mark Notches
Notches are the little triangles you see on the edge of certain pattern pieces. Sometimes you see double notches and even triple notches. They are used to match up shoulder seams and line up other important pieces while you sew. Don’t neglect to mark notches because they make sewing easier and also help your finished project look better.
If you don’t know what notches are, here is a great video from Professor Pincushion that explains them well.
In summary, to mark a notch, you simply cut a triangle into your seam allowance to mirror the triangle on your pattern piece. People tend to avoid this step because it slows down the cutting process. To speed up marking notches, you can simply snip a small slit into your seam allowance where the triangle notch mark is at, but beware that it can weaken your seams and is not the best option for marking anything that frays easily.
Letting Excess Fabric Hang Off Your Cutting Table
When fabric is draped off the edge of your cutting surface, the weight causes your fabric to stretch, even if only a little bit is dangling. This results in an inaccurate cut because your pattern pieces near the edge of your cutting surface are being pulled more tightly than near the other end. Therefore, never let excess fabric hang off the edge of your cutting table.
To prevent your fabric from stretching when you are cutting out a pattern, fold your excess fabric in an accordion style at the end of your cutting surface. The fold doesn’t have to take up very much space, and it will make your project turn out a lot better in the end. Plus, it’s less likely for you to accidentally move your fabric and throw off the grain or center fold.
Another solution is to use a larger cutting surface where none of your fabric will hang off the edge. If you have the money, buy a special fabric cutting table that folds up so you can store it when you’re not using it.
Making Short Cuts
Long, smooth cuts help you line up seams better while you sew. Avoid making short, choppy cuts. Your overall sewing project will turn out better if you carefully cut out each pattern piece with a quality pair of dressmaking shears and make cuts as long as possible.
If you don’t own a good pair of sewing scissors, I recommend getting some that are 8 inches long so you can make longer, straighter cuts. I think Gingher makes the best sewing scissors in the world. A rotary cutter and mat can also help you make more precise cuts.
Not Using Enough Pins
Yes, pinning requires extra time, but it’s a step you cannot skip if you want your sewing projects to turn out well. Your fabric can move and shift as you cut it. If you are not using enough pins, your cuts and notches will not be as precise as you need them.
If you really hate pinning, you need to invest in a rotary cutter and some pattern weights. That is the only way you can truly skip the pinning step.
I hope these cutting tips will make your sewing projects turn out better. Do you know any other cutting mistakes to add to the list? Share your experience in the comments below.
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Thanks for the suggestions in your tips here. I don’t own pattern weights, but I may just look into them 😉 And I also never knew that it was better to mark the notch with a triangle rather than just a snip! I know I forgot all about marking out notches when I first started sewing, so piecing everything together became a guessing game. Must mark out the notches!
Beside from avoiding mistakes when cutting out pattern pieces,why is it essential to correct any cutting mistakes before sewing?
Pls notice my comment and help me to answer this question…