Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs Read Online Free PDF Page A

purpose. In most cases, a normal stitch setting is used.
    BACKTACK . This term refers to backing up and stitching in the other direction. Backtacking stitches are used mostly at the beginning and end of a line of stitching to prevent it from coming undone. You don’t backtack on basting stitches, as they will be pulled out later.

     
    EDGESTITCH . This refers to stitching close to the edge of a fabric piece, on the top of the right side. Edgestitching is done for reinforcement, decoration, or to hold an edge in place.
    STAYSTITCH . This is a line of stitches sewn in the seam allowance before the seam is sewn, almost on the seamline. This helps prevent the seam from coming undone when the seam allowance is clipped.
    TOPSTITCH . This means that the stitching shows on the “top” or the right side of the fabric. This stitch is usually decorative and sewn in one or more straight parallel lines about ¼" from the fabric’s edge.
BEFORE YOU CUT
     
    Once you’ve washed your fabric, notice which is the right side (outside) of the fabric and which is the wrong side (inside) of the fabric. With right sides together, fold the fabric lengthwise and lay it on a cutting surface. Keep the selvages together and adjust them until there are no bubbles on the folded edge. You may want to pin the selvages in a few places to keep the fabric edges from sliding around.
SEW IT SEAMS
     
    Sewing seams is simple, and basic to the act of sewing. Here’s how it’s done:
     
1. Pin two pieces of fabric with right sides together.
     
HOW TO PIN
    Your pins should be inserted perpendicular to the seam or edge. Position the pinheads to the right so you can easily remove them as you are stitching. You can space the pins as needed; I suggest starting at about 2" apart.
     
2. Stitch the side you want to sew, ½" from the edge of the fabric. Remove the pins as you go, just before you stitch over them (otherwise, you might break the sewing-machine needle).
     
HEADS UP!
    For the projects in this book, assume a ½" seam allowance unless the directions call for something different.
     
3. Backtack at the beginning and end of the seam.

     
4. Trim the threads at the ends of the seam and remove any remaining pins.
5. On the wrong side of the fabric, open up the seam allowances and press the seam flat. In some cases, directions might call for pressing both seam allowances to one side.
    LINE IT UP!
     
    Most sewing machines have marks to the right of the presser foot to help you measure and align your seams. The longest line is usually at ⅝", the seam width most commonly used in commercial patterns. Since we use ½" as our standard, place a strip of tape ½" from the needle hole of your presser foot to keep your seams uniform and straight. As you move the fabric under the needle, line up the edge of the fabric with the tape.

     
FINISHING RAW EDGES
     
    Along the outer edge of any seam allowance is a raw edge of fabric. This edge will not show, because it’ll be inside your bag. But it’s possible that the edge could fray or unravel with use or over time. You’ll see this for yourself when you prewash the fabric. Some fabrics fray very little, but others unravel quite a bitand you’ll end up with a big mess. Whether or how you finish your raw edges is totally your call. Everyone who sews has a favorite method. Try different ones to see what suits you best.
    ZIGZAG STITCH . Using the zigzag stitch, sew every raw edge of each seam with the outside point of the stitch at the edge of the fabric.

     
    TURNED EDGE . This is just what it sounds like — you turn over the edge and stitch it down. For a neat, accurate line, start with a single line of stitching about ¼" from the raw edge. Use this as a guide to press the edge under, and then sew another line of stitching close to the fold. As you gain more practice, you will be able to press without a guide, or even skip the pressing altogether and just fold the edge under as you sew.

     
    PINKING . Pinking