106 Successful Sewing 6
Pinning
Pattern Pieces
Use the following guidelines when pinning
your pattern pieces to your fabric:
• Pin with care to prevent inaccurate cutting.
A cutting error of ⅛ ⅛ inch on each side of a
pattern piece can result in a ½ ½ inch difference
in the final garment.
• Use only enough pins to hold down the
pattern securely. Depending on the fabric
and the size of the pattern piece, placing pins
about six inches apart is usually enough.
• Place pins completely inside the cutting line.
• Place pins diagonally in corners.
• Use pattern weights instead of pins to hold
the pattern in position, if desired. However,
be sure to pin grainlines in place first.
Position weights, inside the cutting lines, on
one pattern piece at a time.
Cutting Out
Pattern Pieces
Use the following guidelines, when cutting
out pattern pieces:
• Use sharp shears or a rotary cutter to cut
out your pattern pieces. Never use pinking
shears. Pattern pieces cannot be cut out
accurately with pinking shears.
• Do not allow the fabric to hang over the
edge of the table when you are cutting. This
is especially true when working with knits
and other stretchy fabrics. The weight of the
fabric hanging over the table edge will pull
the fabric and result in inaccurate cutting.
Also, be careful to leave the fabric resting
on the table as you cut. Lifting the fabric will
result in inaccurate cutting.
• Cut notches out away from the seam
allowance. Cutting notches into the seam
allowance will weaken the seam. This will
also prevent you from letting the seam out if
a looser fit is needed.
(Continued)
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