tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post2467316171023633279..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Sew, Clip, Press!Gertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-86786436926932766072010-05-23T11:42:56.613-04:002010-05-23T11:42:56.613-04:00Am I really the only one who uses a small bit of s...Am I really the only one who uses a small bit of scrap fabric to hold thread ends on my machine? I stitch a seam, backstitch at the end, then run a few stitches until my project is out from under the foot, then insert the scrap cloth and run a few more stitches to hold it. For my next seam, just repeat the process backwards, starting from the scrap fabric. Saves on thread, and saves on time because I don't have to search and destroy all the long thread ends. <br /><br />I'm not the only one who does this, right? Right?Galadrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14695865849968553113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-4410271310160994772010-05-21T15:28:01.544-04:002010-05-21T15:28:01.544-04:00This book was the BEST purchase I ever made! I hig...This book was the BEST purchase I ever made! I highly recommend it for all dressmakers, whether you're a beginner or advanced. Worth every penny! <br /><br />I am a strong supporter of the SEW, CLIP, PRESS method. I've always clipped my threads, but only in the past year or two have I started pressing as I sew. It makes a huge difference! <br /><br />Now, I always press my seams, but I rarely drag out the full-size ironing board. Instead, I have a traveling-size board permanently set up near my sewing machine. It's small enough to not take up much space, yet big enough for pressing most seams, and all I have to do is swivel in my chair to use it. My iron heats up rapidly, so I leave it off until I need it. In about 30 seconds it's hot and ready to start pressing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-42722936175217985442010-05-21T13:42:03.734-04:002010-05-21T13:42:03.734-04:00Oh! shame... I do clip my threads right away, like...Oh! shame... I do clip my threads right away, like when they're an inch from where they've been sewed. I'm horrifically cheap, and about stupid things, and hate to waste thread.Birdiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04385906023374225436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-688585827163110132010-05-21T04:23:29.935-04:002010-05-21T04:23:29.935-04:00I always clip my threads as I go. I would hate to ...I always clip my threads as I go. I would hate to have to go around clipping lots of loose threads at the end of the project. I also always press as I go.Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11649677045881448393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-54164172082604391002010-05-19T22:30:47.851-04:002010-05-19T22:30:47.851-04:00(solitary is a bad crafter.)
I sew, I yell at th...(solitary is a bad crafter.) <br /><br />I sew, I yell at the machine,I sew a bit more, I rip out a seam, I yell at myself my screwing up, I have to rethread the machine for the umpteenth time, I drop my scissors, I push the cats off the desk, I sew a seam, I remember to cut the end but forget to cut the beginning, I go to the bathroom, I get a drink, I sew some more...very hit and miss.Solitary Crafterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17313130935711688285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-88001763865191071192010-05-19T04:51:20.935-04:002010-05-19T04:51:20.935-04:00Yep - I sew and clip (both ends of the seam) and w...Yep - I sew and clip (both ends of the seam) and when I have a few seams done, I press.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05019355236929550523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-22745308845454731982010-05-19T03:01:44.848-04:002010-05-19T03:01:44.848-04:00Hello Miss Gertie!
I'm subscribed to your RSS...Hello Miss Gertie! <br />I'm subscribed to your RSS so never have a chance to comment, so i traipsed over here to tell you how lovely you and your blog are! <br />My gram taught me to sew and gave me a bunch of patterns, and your photos and adventures make my hand-sewn wardrobe dream believable!<br />thanks for sharing xo-caitcaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03071712460100918617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-27237148475993337802010-05-19T02:11:04.188-04:002010-05-19T02:11:04.188-04:00I also clip as I go, in part because when I remove...I also clip as I go, in part because when I remove the work at the end of a seam, I can't stand the idea of hacking it off and leaving thread tails - it feels like wasted thread and effort (to clip twice). I trim the end threads as close as possible straight from the machine, and since I'm in there with clippers already, I do the same to the start of the seam. <br /><br />Pressing is another matter. I rarely have the iron set up near my machine ("hey, you're blocking the TV!"), so I play a little game with myself where I sew as many seams as possible before pressing. Sometimes I push it too far and end up "finger pressing" an intersection, and I pay for it later. Must develop pressing discipline!Maurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08842561589741133873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-7549809706214424232010-05-18T19:41:04.290-04:002010-05-18T19:41:04.290-04:00Yes-I was taught early on that it's all in the...Yes-I was taught early on that it's all in the details. And actually if you press well, your finished garment looks better than store bought garments!Jana @ Weekend Vintagehttp://www.weekendvintage.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-77226309458967201042010-05-18T10:52:11.979-04:002010-05-18T10:52:11.979-04:00I am similar to Pattern Junkie, I always clip and ...I am similar to Pattern Junkie, I always clip and I always press, and I sew in batches, ie: everything that needs sewing, then everything that needs overlocking (Serging), then back to the ironing board for pressing and pinning up the next bit. <br />It means I start tackling the sleeves and bodice and skirt all at the same time and I do find it quick. I got the idea from a pattern which had some tips and tricks in it, and called it "consolidated sewing"In The Heydayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06829316779390884087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-68118166665163159892010-05-18T09:01:38.932-04:002010-05-18T09:01:38.932-04:00@Cherry My fiancee - he tells me I'm full of m...@Cherry My fiancee - he tells me I'm full of mischief.Moniquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18375537271773117124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-24310969230440028012010-05-18T06:24:33.406-04:002010-05-18T06:24:33.406-04:00The 'sew, clip, press' method is something...The 'sew, clip, press' method is something that my mother taught me when I first learnt to sew. However, I was never as diligent as her & so for many years I was very lax in this regard. I was really good at the sew part & pretty terrible at the other two. Learning to clip off loose threads as I went developed out of frustration more than anything else. One day I was wearing a dress for the fifth or sixth time & got REALLY annoyed that I was STILL finding loose threads. Finally the pressing... I'm still not to good at this bit, it's really only as I've started to attempt more complex tasks like corsetry that I've begun to recognise the importance of it.Stephhttp://orchidsinmay.typepad.com/orchids-in-may/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-69693644611351457902010-05-18T00:17:16.311-04:002010-05-18T00:17:16.311-04:00SEW, CLIP, PRESS was ingrained in me from the time...SEW, CLIP, PRESS was ingrained in me from the time I started sewing as a preschooler, seriously. I do also sew in batches (without crossing seams). My clippers sit next to my machine and my ironing board sits at a right angle to my table so I just swing my chair around from machine to iron. <br /><br />Funny thing about ironing, I love to press and primp my cloth as I construct, making sure each seam is just so. But when the project's done, my poor little garment is on its own! I HATE ironing laundry!picknstitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12407155799667345691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-54754406198476140872010-05-17T22:47:31.938-04:002010-05-17T22:47:31.938-04:00I do clip as I go. I have a pair of thread snips t...I do clip as I go. I have a pair of thread snips that always follow me around. I like to keep it neat and hunting down threads at the end is so tedious. As for the pressing, I do tend to press as I go especially for garments. I have my iron right next to my sewing machine, so I just roll my chair over to press.<br /><br />My grandmother, on the other hand, leaves all her thread clipping to the end. I think she got used to this while working in sewing factories where they had one person that would clip all the threads once the garment was done.Diana Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02363134121541245026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-30310480202745462672010-05-17T21:22:52.933-04:002010-05-17T21:22:52.933-04:00Gertie, you are such a TEASE. I'm DYING to see...Gertie, you are such a TEASE. I'm DYING to see the Hendricks homage dress.<br /><br />I love this post though, I'm so intrigued by your comment on stabilizers my mission is now to find this book and read it. <br /><br />I do do the SEW, CLIP, routine, right from my very first time sewing. I have my thread clipping scissors (which are small) tied on a very pretty ribbon. I wear it around my neck while I sew so I don't have to search for it every 5 seconds. <br /><br />I find that putting the ribbon over my head is really centering. When I'm wearing the scissors, I'M SEWING and I don't let myself get distracted with anything else. I think my kids are even learning not to bother me when I have the scissors on, it's a great visual reminder. When I take them off, it's like "I'm done sewing now," and I can move on to other things.<br /><br />Like one commenter above, I also sew as many seams as possible before I get up to go to the iron, which is always in another room. I feel guilty about it though, and someday, I'll have the iron and the machine in the same room. The unpressed seams nag me until I can press them.elizabethenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-89959716075810187562010-05-17T20:43:12.275-04:002010-05-17T20:43:12.275-04:00Mine's more like SEW, CLIP, SEW, CLIP, SEW, CL...Mine's more like SEW, CLIP, SEW, CLIP, SEW, CLIP, PRESS. I sew as many seams as possible before I go to the iron. Partly because of my iron. When it's on the lights dim and the sewing machines don't always sew at a steady speed. (Hmmm, the house is almost 100 years, think I should look into my electrical???) So I don't like to have the machines and the iron on at the same time ;)Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17514929600248371886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-66487817050506540442010-05-17T20:40:56.998-04:002010-05-17T20:40:56.998-04:00Kathi G, I don't think the book is beginner-fo...Kathi G, I don't think the book is beginner-focused, i.e. I don't think you could teach yourself to sew from it. I imagine you would find it worth the money - there's an entire chapter on how to stabilize seams, like the various types of tape you can use and how to apply them. That type of info is so hard to find!<br /><br />I got mine used for $60, and I've seen it for that price used on textbooks.com.Gertiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-25166117824947776532010-05-17T18:59:56.865-04:002010-05-17T18:59:56.865-04:00Hi Gertie.
I do SEW, CLIP, PRESS. I went to a trad...Hi Gertie.<br />I do SEW, CLIP, PRESS. I went to a trade school for high school and majored in sewing. I was taught that very early on.<br />I have a question about the book. I have been eyeing it for some time now and hesitate spending that much money. I have been sewing for over 30 years and was wondering if it is a beginner sewing book? Does it have more advanced techniques in it? I wish my library had it. I am anxious to have a look at it.<br />Kathi GAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-69673432340513565742010-05-17T18:58:04.998-04:002010-05-17T18:58:04.998-04:00I don't do this.. but I should. It's a lit...I don't do this.. but I should. It's a little awkward trimming my thread tails with my big scissors, or wrapping them around the built-in thread trimmer on my machine - it still leaves a bit of thread hanging that I'm likely to forget!<br />I do however press as I go. So I suppose my rhythm is Pin, Sew, Press, repeat! (And clip any hanging threads at the end..)Tasiahttp://sewaholic.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-31523433428724986612010-05-17T18:49:39.861-04:002010-05-17T18:49:39.861-04:00This is the way my mother taught me and the way I ...This is the way my mother taught me and the way I do it, it's easier and so much neater to clip them straight-away.<br /><br /> As for pressing Cherry I follow the same pressing method as you, my sewing time is limited at the moment as my goal is always get as much done as possible, without being sloppy or making mistakes.rubyslippers_86https://www.blogger.com/profile/18357170072138624681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50994448064872213572010-05-17T18:31:07.864-04:002010-05-17T18:31:07.864-04:00Yes I have always done sew clip and press. I'...Yes I have always done sew clip and press. I'd love this book too, nice to know it is well worth it.Ann Made Studiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736679240367173915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45952326908967886192010-05-17T18:03:58.589-04:002010-05-17T18:03:58.589-04:00Wow. There's a name for that? I have been doin...Wow. There's a name for that? I have been doing that automatically for years. So much so, that I now have a Janome 6600P that will clip the threads for you, but my routine is so ingrained that I have Sewn/Clipped before I remember to push the button. Oh well.....Pam from South Australianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-11926616134643499192010-05-17T17:53:15.540-04:002010-05-17T17:53:15.540-04:00Thread clips are the BEST, you won't know how ...Thread clips are the BEST, you won't know how you lived without them. They're the best thing for notching curves, because they're so short you won't accidentally cut through your seam.<br /><br />I have to say, my method is sew, clip, overlock (serge), press and it works for me.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13775869219913229009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-22220830734310074952010-05-17T17:27:46.151-04:002010-05-17T17:27:46.151-04:00Add another person to the SEW CLIP PRESS PRESS tea...Add another person to the SEW CLIP PRESS PRESS team. I sew a lot with cotton and I'm also a member of the steam club.<br /><br />I definitely see the difference....Sharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10341593767272569113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-11998483726296322572010-05-17T17:09:53.719-04:002010-05-17T17:09:53.719-04:00I also (almost) always clip my threads. They annoy...I also (almost) always clip my threads. They annoy me, if they hang around and get in the way.<br />Pressing is something I really dislike in general. I tend to get around doing it as often as possible. But not when it comes to sewing. There I'm a good girl and iron each and every seam. It just makes sewing so much easier and the finished pieces look so much nicer.<br />But for energy issues and a streamlined work flow I use a method like the one suggested by cherry.christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18084668122322535968noreply@blogger.com