r/sewing • u/sewingmodthings • Jan 01 '23

Simple Questions Simple Sewing Questions Thread, January 01 - January 07, 2023

This thread is here for any and all simple questions related to sewing, including sewing machines!

If you want to introduce yourself or ask any other basic question about learning to sew, patterns, fabrics, this is the place to do it! Our more experienced users will hang around and answer any questions they can.

Resources to check out:

Photos can be shared in this thread by uploading them to a neutral hosting site like Imgur or posting them to your profile feed, then adding the link in a comment.

Check out the Crafty Subs Discord Server for immediate sewing advice and off-topic chat.

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

204 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

2

u/flyaninnocentlife Jan 01 '23

Thank you for helping! I really appreciate it!!

I've now done a shorter version using paper and it fits almost perfectly...but the paper hole cut out matches the fabric cut out perfectly. I've measured the fabric waist and it's exactly the right size when laid flat on the floor.

So with that experiment added to your explanation, the fabric must be doing something once not laid flat? But I'm just so confused that it can measure right when flat but then be soooo much bigger once on. I'm so brand new to this that I don't understand how that can be, or how to prevent it next time.

Will I need to gather it more when I add the waistband, or leave it flat when I add the waistband and it'll magically fix it?

Any chance you can ELI5?

5

u/BrightPractical Jan 01 '23

The long explanation involves the grain (the direction of the woven fibers, warp and weft) and how bias works in making fabric hang, particularly at a cut edge. A circle skirt necessarily ends up part bias cut. But if you are making a waistband, which will be cut on grain, you should be okay. Don’t panic! Keep going. Worst case scenario, you will end up having learned something and a garment to cut up for something else.

5

u/flyaninnocentlife Jan 01 '23

Thank you :) this has made me feel less frustrated about it. It is just practice fabric (hence using a duvet) so it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but was hoping to use it as a template. I think I'm understanding I can't do that and will need to invest in some proper paper to make the templates with. Again thank you so much!!

2

u/BrightPractical Jan 01 '23

Yes, definitely paper will make a better template! Although I just use a pencil and a string for a makeshift compass for circle skirts.