South Cowichan Life Magazine

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Stitch, Rip And Glue
By Sheila Warneken
Fortunately, I do a variety of creative projects for clients teaching
sewing, painting and anything creative but I am also asked to
do these same projects for my customers. Alterations are regular
requests and for those who sew either as a passion or out of necessity
some alteration tips might be helpful.
We are mid season between inside and outside interests so
therefore an excellent time to review your wardrobe. Personally it’s
better if someone culled my wardrobe rather than me as they would
use a dispassionate eye. With alterations I would rather sew from
scratch than alter my clothes but altering is a necessity of life and
being economical.
First of all is the dreaded hole in the knee of jeans. The Mars
guy, young or old, would rather die than give up his precious broken
in jeans. So Venus lady unpicks the inseam for about 6” parallel
to the dreaded hole. Place a scrap of denim (keep fabric on grain)
placed inside the hole from inseam to just overlapping the other
seam. With this 6” opening you will have more area to work in and
it will be less frustrating. Stitch in the ditch on the side seam to secure
that edge of the patch. Then zigzag twice around the offending hole
ensuring you catch the frayed edge. Finally turn the jean inside out
and sew up the inseam opening. If you do the alteration this way it
will take 10 minutes to do plus it will save you from divorce.
Next hemming pants – because they are never the right length
when you buy them. If they are a washable fabric wash them first.
Unless you have hip, back or walking problems it is not necessary
to pin up both legs. Ensure you are wearing the right height heeled
shoe, then pin up one leg only to the desired length. Lay your slacks
out on a table, with the legs flat together (inseams together, sides
seams facing up), pin the waistband evenly together at the top so
that the bottom of the pants are equal. Match your pin marks on the
unpinned leg to the pinned leg. Check the length the maker has
allowed for the hem. Usually it is 11/2” to 2” hem so allow for
that when cutting off the excess. After this is done fold up the hem
allowance, press before sewing. Most cotton/polyester slacks
are machine hemmed with the stitching on the
right side of the fabric. If the stitching is hidden
it is a hand hem so use a slip or cross stitch for
hemming. Jeans require a 1” allowance for the
hem, turn 1/2” underneath and top stitch using
a longer stitch length. Seams on jeans are thick
so use a #16 needle on your machine and trim
the inseam and side seam allowance which
saves on broken needles.
LADYBUG CREATIVE ARTS
2607 Natalie Rd. (Corner of Elford & Natalie)
Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W2
By Appointment:
Mon - Fri: 10-12, 1-4:30
“COBBLE LANE COTTAGE”
250-743-8175
SHEILA WARNEKEN
250-743-2858
CAROLYN CARR
SEWING/PAINTING LESSONS
Interior Decor Consultant • Alterations & Home Decor
Formerly:
Mill Bay Fabrics, Crafts & Yarns
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South Cowichan life Page 25