Polishing up my stitching..

OCconfidential · Post by **OCconfidential** » 12 Dec 2006 23:33

SO, i've just got a few probs, and was wondering if someone (anyone!) could help me polish up my stitching. i've been stitching for about 3 months, but with facile only about 3 weeks. herez my probs:
1. How can i get my panels to not be flat at the seams, (even when i gather they look flat!) but be almost 'inset' at the stitches, and poofy on the rest of the panel?-Like Toms, Or like Holly bags.
2.HOW DO I MAKE THE BAG (all around, not just un even parts all over the bag) ROUND???? I'm keeping all my stitches even, all the gather even, but my bags come out either OVAL, or EGG SHAPED. This is driving my crazy, and its the only thing keeping my from making good bags.
Help? Anyone?

Toby · Post by **Toby** » 13 Dec 2006 01:25

If you posted some pictures it would help, but i will try anyway.

1. I think the things that usually effect how "poofy" the panels are is the amount of gather, and how short you cut the flange. Typically, you should cut the flange as short as it can go(too short will cause gathered folds to break free or the seams to break)

2. Either you are estimating the gather for each pent wrong, or your knots are slipping; could easily be both. Getting this right just takes practice.

Mitcher · Post by **Mitcher** » 13 Dec 2006 04:36

what is flange?

OCconfidential · Post by **OCconfidential** » 13 Dec 2006 10:05

yeah, thanks Toby. I'm just gonna try to even up my gather, find just the right amount. Any comments on what could be making my bags shapes oblong?

Senor Grommet · Post by **Senor Grommet** » 13 Dec 2006 10:21

a pattern that is not perfectly symmetrical is likely the cause. Try using the template pattern program here in the bags and equipment section to form a perfect pattern, and then preserve the "perfection" so that it translates into your panels having the correct shape. Even a slight pattern imperfection can make a bag seem oblong.

PegLegHolly · Post by **PegLegHolly** » 13 Dec 2006 21:08

flange is the fabric space between your stitches and the edges of the panels.

make sure you space your knots out through the bag. having two knots on one bleed hole can cause uneven-ness.

my bags used to be lopsided... then i looked more carefully at my templates and realized that one of the sides on my hex template was slanted in. once i made a new template it was fine.

also, i dont know what kinds of patterns you are doing with the colors you have, but using fabric that is not the same thickness can cause uneven-ness... you kind of have to practice to see what colors play well together.

youll get better. just practice.

OCconfidential · Post by **OCconfidential** » 14 Dec 2006 11:38

hey thanks all. i use that pattern generator to get my templates, guess i'll cut em out carefully next time. So holly, i'm trying to figure out how to not get two knots at a bleed hole...becuase i'll have a knot there, and then another knot when i tie-off. is there another point on the pent where you can tie your anchoring knot?

Toby · Post by **Toby** » 26 Dec 2006 07:13

I don't think that is what she meant. By your thinking, Holly is saying you should not have 4 knots at a bleed hole. Do you not tie your thread to itself when you finish a pent?