Sewing Sunsets

Most sewing enthusiasts dread sewing the crotch seam on a pair of shorts or pants, but the method that I learned and will teach you here is really quite easy.  I have found it to be the easiest method for sewing casual  pants of any kind; shorts, pajama pants, or long pants.  In fact, it can be quite fun and when you are successful with it the first time, you will be quite proud of yourself!  

So far, we have covered cutting out the pattern pieces and sewing the inner leg seams of the shorts.  Yesterday, we talked about sewing the outside, or side seam, of the pair of shorts, making sure that you are putting a front leg and a back leg piece together.  When both the inner leg and outer leg seams have been sewn, you now have two separate leg pieces that need to be sewn together, which means sewing the crotch seam.

The first step is to turn one leg inside out, with the wrong side of the fabric facing you.  Turn the other leg right side out, with the right side of the fabric facing you. Place the leg that is right side out inside the leg that is wrong side out and match the inner leg seams.  Line up the fabric edges and you will notice that you have a curved seam that is in the shape of a large “U”.  This is the crotch seam.

The picture directly above will not be a pair of shorts that anyone would actually wear.  I just sewed together different types off fabrics to better illustrate how to sew the crotch seam.  They really would be a crazy pair of shorts if actually worn!    In the picture above, the shorts leg on the right is inside out while the leg on the left is right side out.

In the picture directly above, you can clearly see the “U” shaped seam that has been pinned.  (The green fabric was inserted for contrast so that you could see the crotch seam more clearly; it is not a part of the shorts or the crotch seam.)

After the crotch seam has been pinned all the way around, start at one side and sew around the curve, using a 5/8 inch seam allowance. When you are finished sewing this curved crotch seam, press open the seams as far as you can, starting at the waist.  There may be more detailed instructions on the pattern you are using, so check those to see if you need to take any additional steps. 

The next step is to pull one leg out of the other and feel really proud of yourself that you successfully sewed the crotch seam on a pair of shorts or pants.

The shorts are almost completed at this point, but there is a little more sewing to do.  A waistline casing will need to be sewn, elastic inserted, and then the shorts will need to be hemmed. We will talk about  the sewing the casing in my next posst.

A more detailed tutorial on how to sew the crotch seam can be found at www.sewseamless.com/Page34.html and www.sewseamless.com/Page35.html

Happy Sewing!

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Our high yesterday was 94 and I loved it!   I saw many people wearing shorts, and that trend will continue probably through the middle, or possibly the end of October.  We don’t have much of a real fall in this area and I used to miss that, but I am finding that I enjoy the warm temperatures and I’m looking forward to a very short winter season.

Let’s continue the tutorial on how to sew shorts.  So far, I’ve told you about cutting out the pattern, sewing the inner leg seam on each leg and pressing them open over a seam roll.  Today, it’s time for the next step, which is to sew the outer leg seam.  Place right sides of fabric together,  making sure that you are putting a front leg and a back leg  together, pin, and sew, using a 5/8 inch seam allowance, removing the pins as you’re sewing. 

After you have sewn the side seam, press the seams open over a seam roll.  Now you have two legs of a pair of shorts, which means that the next step is to tackle that dreaded crotch seam.  The method that I will teach you is really quite easy and can be fun.  I promise!

More detailed information on sewing the side seam of a pair of shorts can be found at : www.sewseamless.com/Page34.html

Happy Sewing!

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When I mentioned in my last post that it stays warm in my area of the country late into the fall, I meant it.   The high for today is going to be a wonderful 88 degrees.  Tomorrow’s high is 94, which is a bit unusual for this time of year, but I love it!  Next week, we cool down into the low to mid 80′s.  I am so glad I moved back to this area where it stays nice and warm well into the fall season.  

Because it does stay warm for quite some time, it isn’t too silly to consider sewing shorts for warm fall weather. And I really do enjoy making a simple pair of shorts because they are sew easy to sew.

My last post contained information about the pattern pieces and cutting out the shorts pattern.  The next step is to sew the legs together at the inner seam.  Before I continue with this step, I should remind you that finishing the raw edges of your fabric before you begin sewing will ensure a more professional finish to your sewing project. 

Sewing the inner leg seam is easy.  Simply place the right sides of the fabric together at the inner leg seam and pin.  Seam allowances are usually 5/8 inches for this type of garment sewing.  When the seam has been sewn, press it as you stitched it, and then place the seam over a seam roll and press the seam open.  I also like to press the seam from the right side as well, although this is not completely necessary.

A more detailed tutorial for the first steps in sewing shorts can be found at www.sewseamless.com/Page33.html

If you want a sneak peak at the next step in this process, you can find it at www.sewseamless.com/Page34.html

Happy Sewing!

www.sewseamless.com

I live in an area of the country that remains quite warm even well into October, so on many days,  it is appropriate to continue wearing shorts during the early fall.  Children can often go to school wearing shorts and a sweater because mornings tend to be cool, but by afternoon, the highs can be in the 80′s or 90′s. I like the warm/hot weather so I have no complaints!

The cool mornings are just right for sewing and one of the things that I have enjoyed sewing is a pair of shorts.  Although I have made shorts for myself in the past, I prefer to sew children’s shorts with an elastic waist.  The sewing techniques are pretty much the same for both adult and child sized shorts.

Shorts are quite easy to sew.  There is a front leg and a back leg pattern. When you cut your fabric, you will have two front legs and two back legs.

The top picture is of the front shorts pattern piece and one quick way to tell if it’s the front or the back is to look at the notches in the crotch area.  As you can see the front has a single notch, while the back has a double notch, as shown in the bottom picture above.

Once you have cut out your pattern and pressed the fabric pattern pieces,  the next step is to sew the front legs and back legs together.  The picture aboves shows the right side of the fabric with one back leg and one right leg.  This will be sewn together at the inner leg seam, right sides of the fabric together.  When this seam has been sewn, press the seam open over a seam roll. 

A more detailed tutorial of the first steps to use when sewing shorts can be found at : www.sewseamless.com/Page33.html

Happy Sewing!

www.sewseamless.com

I still don’t have time to sew, and these days, I almost don’t even time to talk about sewing, but whenever I can, it helps just to even think about sewing again.  My care giving duties may be changing soon, so a little bit of sewing might be just around the corner—–hopefully……maybe……..

In the meantime, let’s revisit some more useful sewing techniques.

How to apply fusible interfacing: www.sewseamless.com/Page4.html and www.sewseamless.com/Page15.html

Many beginning seamstresses are intimidated by fusible interfacing, but it’s really quite easy.  The type I prefer is a tricot or knit type interfacing.  Make sure to pre-shrink your interfacing before using it. The instructions and pictures for the easy way to apply fusible interfacing are found in the links above.

Happy Sewing!

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My days are still filled with care giving duties and decisions surrounding the best present and future care for my elderly mother.  She has improved, but it will soon be time to determine the best permanent care situation for her.  I want what is best for her, but I also need to get back to living my own life, and that includes some much needed sewing time.

Because I haven’t had much time to sew, I haven’t had any new sewing projects to share with you in quite some time.  I think that may be changing in the very near future.  In the meantime, let’s review a few sewing techniques.

Understitching: www.sewseamless.com/Page7.html , www.sewseamless.com/Page16.html

This is a sewing technique that often intimidates beginning seamstresses, but it is really easy.  Click on the links above to see a full tutorial, complete with pictures.

Sewing set-in sleeves: www.sewseamless.com/Page8.html , www.sewseamless.com/Page17.html

Sewing this type of sleeve also tends to intimidate many sewing enthusiasts, but with a little practice, this technique can be mastered easily.  Once again, the links above take you to both a written tutorial and pictures.

Happy Sewing!

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I believe that September is National Sewing Month, which is great for those of you who have time to sew.  JoAnn’s Fabrics is sending out great coupons for 40 and 50% off of some items, as well as having fabric on sale, so this is a great time to stock up.  With Halloween just around the corner, I know there are some great Halloween prints on sale and costume fabric as well.  The other holidays are just around the corner so you can start your holiday gift sewing early as well.

Happy Sewing!

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I still haven’t had time to sew, but getting to talk about it once in a while helps a little bit.  My poor sewing machine must be very lonely.   Hopefully, in the next few weeks, I’ll be able to keep it company.

I believe that in my last post about sewing, we had finished sewing the tissue holder top and bottom together, using a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Although you don’t have to do this next step, I find it helps a little bit.  I usually slightly trim the raw edges with pinking shears before turning the tissue holder right side out.  That way, the edges don’t ravel on the inside of the tissue holder.  The next step is to cut the corners diagnonally, which helps to create a sharper corner.

Turn the tissue holder right side out.  Use a point turner to help create nice sharp corners.

The following picture is of the completed tissue holder prior to pressing it well.

I like to press the tissue holders well, both on the front and back, and then I use a tailor’s clapper to create a nice flat tissue holder.

Sewing these small tissue holders is sew much fun!  They make great teacher’s gifts, small items to include in gift bags, or great stocking stuffers if you’re inclined to start sewing Christmas gifts a little early.  These small tissue holders would be a great small item to include in a get well gift basket for someone who is recovering from an illness or surgery. 

These tissue holders are so easy to sew that it might be fun to sew quite a few and have them on hand for a gift the next time you need a quick gift for someone.  Sewing tissue holders is a great way to use up scrap fabric as well.  They are just fun to sew period!  Of course, I think sewing is lots of fun, no matter what is being sewn!

Happy Sewing!

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I started this blog some time ago and it is usually a blog about sewing, sewing techinques, and sewing projects–mostly targeted to beginning seamstresses.  However, once in a while, I also talk about life in general, helping other people, and these days, I talk about caregiving because once again, I find myself being the caregiver to an aging and ill parent.  This is in some ways, my third time around with this because a few years ago, my dad needed lots of help and in order to take some stress off of my mother, I took over the caregiving duties. At that point, she began needing help because she had been so stressed out by being a caregiver to my dad. Those caregiving episodes lasted a few years until my dad passed away.  After that, my mom improved.  We moved to another state and she began to blossom for about a year and a half.  About a year and a half ago (we were in that state for three years), we noticed a difference in her health and began dealing with continuing thyroid issues.  Last December, she had an infection and my personal belief is that the antibiotic she was prescribed caused most of our current physical problems.  There is still the question of whether her mental state is a true dementia, or is it that her thyroid is still not balanced correctly?  It’s hard to know for  sure.  And that is what makes this whole episode even more frustrating for everybody.

I believe in nutrition, nutritional therapies, and exercise.  Due to my mom’s poor diet for years, I believe that she has been malnourished, so I have worked very hard to make sure she is eating fresh fruits and veggies as much as possible, and drinking purified water. She doesn’t drink enough water, which makes me think that she is staying slightly dehydrated most of the time.  At any rate, I am just about at my wit’s end with this whole ordeal.  In November of last year, my mom was walking on a treadmill for thirty minutes, riding a stationary bike, and doing some resistance training.  She followed this routine every other day and basically got about an hour’s workout several times per week.  Now, she is still weak and gets tired easily just walking a few feet.  It seems to wear her out on some days and other days, she does better.   The therapists all say she has done well, met her goals, and no longer needs help, which is also a bit frustrating because I believe she needs more therapy in order to regain her physical strength.

And then there is the issue of a possible dementia–whether it’s reversible or not is still questionable. The bottom line is that at this point, she still doesn’t remember things well and also needs some help physically.  I have been spending 10-12 hours per day at her home seven days per week.  A caregiver has been coming to stay the night. The caregiver keeps telling me that my mom will be fine after she goes to bed, but we tried leaving her alone at night and at some point, she fell out of bed–probably getting up at some point. Thankfully, she didn’t hurt herself, but that is the second time I’ve come in to find a problem.  At this point, as a caregiver, I’m totally bewildered and don’t quite know what choices to make.  My mom needs to be on a gluten free diet and drink only purifed water and no facility–assisted living or skilled nursing–will accommodate that.  And yet, something has to change because I don’t have much more of me left to give.  Money, is unfortunately, another issue–both with the current caregiving situation and with possible facility placement.  All of this creates a very bewildering dilemma for me.

The other day, I wrote about hope, but today, I can tell you that I have totally given up.  Because we have started  a new supplement, and it needs time to work, I have set a new goal.  The end of September will be the turning point.  If my mom is not well and able to function as she did just a few months ago, then I will have no choice but to place her in a facility.  The question then becomes whether she is better suited for assisted living or skilled nursing; she is almost right on the line between those two types of assistance.

I do not give up easily, but I feel that I have given this my best efforts for quite a few months and nothing seems to be working.  And if I do have to place my mom in a facility, I won’t feel guilty, but I will always wonder if there was something else I could have done or something else I could have tried that would have helped.  (We made another move in April, so we are in a new place once again.)

Hopefully, my next post will be more about sewing and less about caregiving.

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If I don’t continue my back to school sewing posts, time will march on and it will soon turn into holiday sewing time!

In my last post regarding sewing simple purse sized tissue holders, I believe that the next step in the process was to fold the tissue holder tops.

The next step is to place the folded top, with the folded sides toward the middle of the tissue holder, on the tissue holder bottom.  I like to pin the tissue top and bottom together at this point.  If you are a beginning seamstress, it might be easier for you to baste the tissue holder together before sewing it permanently.  I choose to skip the basting and simply sew the top and bottom together, pivoting at the corners.  If I remember correctly, I use a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Sew all the way around the tissue holder, slightly overlapping where you started sewing.

After you have sewn the seams, press it well before turning it right side out.  There is just a little more to do, but the rest is the easy part.  In my next post, we’ll finish this easy to sew tissue holder.  These are a lot of fun to make and are a great way to use up fabric scraps.  Or choose some holiday themed fabrics or season themed fabrics–any kind of fabric will do and it’s fun to sew this simply project.  I use 100% cotton to sew tissue holders, but I’ve also sewn them out of 100% cotton flannel.  Although I love sewing with flannel, I prefer the regulat cottons for this particular sewing project.

Happy Sewing!

www.sewseamless.com