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Patisjean's comment last week reminded me that I don't take advantage of my feed dogs the way that I should. Across the history of these confessions, several people have advised that sometimes it makes a difference which piece you lay against the feed dogs - one way, and the feed dogs actually help you get the 2 pieces to fit together. My problem is that I can never remember which way...
So, how about you? Do you pay attention to which piece you position on the bottom when sewing a seam? If yes, can you elaborate on when and why?
Photo credit: Mr. Vac & Mrs. Sew
11 comments:
if i'm stitching two pieces together, and one is just a bit longer than the other, i put the longer one against the feed dogs. then it'll gradually get eased into the seam with no effort on my part (i just did this yesterday on some bags i made). i also usually put the weaker grainline against the feed dogs (not always, sometimes i want to see it and fuss with it using a stiletto). i've heard of putting sleeve caps against the feed dogs, but that's one situation where i prefer to have them up where i can see.
The only time I worry about it, is when I'm sewing with minky fabrics. I always put the minky on top so that the feed dogs don't stretch it out.
I always thought it was the other way around- that the feed dogs would help pull the fabric thru, until my Mom told me the right way.
I have no idea how anyone would sew a princess seam without the piece being eased in on the bottom so that the feed dogs can ease it in! Make it SO MUCH EASIER. :-D
The longer piece goes against the feed dogs. We have talked about sleeves, but the back shoulder seam, which is often a bit longer should go against the feed dogs to ease it perfectly. I sew a lot of one-seam pants, and pjs. I always put the waistband on top and the garment on the bottom. Same with skirt waistbands and facings.
I'm with Mamafitz, the side that has the most excess fabric goes against the feeddog. I think it's a bit of magic how the feeddogs work in my favor in taking care of excess fabric - as long as it's not to much excess.
I'm with you. I can never remember which piece should go against the feed dogs, so I don't utilise this feature either:).
I do hold my fabric taut when sewing long straight seams so that the feed dogs don't mess it up. And if I really want lengths of fabric to match up, I get out my walking foot. I guess that is the exact opposite of what you are asking about!
Longer side on the bottom so the feed dogs can to the easing work.
I try to remember this but I don't always. I guess this is one of those things that comes with practice.
For princess seams, I use Kenneth King's instructions.
I know it's longer piece on bottom but I don't use it. Like mamafitz with sleeves I'd rather see the sleeve and how well it's easing in.
I mostly pay attention to the feed dogs when I'm using the serger. Because it sews so much faster then the sewing machine, I have less time to make the little adjustments I can do to help things ease.
I'll be honest, I looked this question over for the better part of the week, and pregnant, I can't make sense of it.
I tried, so I'm going to go with "right now, I barely care to sit in a chair for more than an hour to give a hoot" category, as long as it works.
I imagine that I will quit attempting to sew in about a month. I'm barely into it now and carrying high, so sewing and tummy= nope.
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