Tried out a tip I read somewhere (might have been a forum or on a facebook sewing group page, not sure...) about how to get neat edge top-stiching without a special topstitching foot: use a blind hem foot!
You simply adjust the little wheely/screw (?) thing until the white plastic bit is the desired distance from the stitching line and use it as a guide for the garment edge. Great for when you are working with very small amounts such as 1/8" and 2/8".
Much more accurate (and idiot proof for me) than just "eyeballing" it ;)
If you have a Janome like me your blindhemming foot could look like foot "G" in the pic below.
Such a simple and effective tip, using what I already have- why didn't I think of it?
Happy Sewing!
Kate :)
Underwear making has been in full swing this past week (in the sewing moments I actually get after the kids are in bed and housework + cooking is done...).
So for my efforts I have 5 new pairs of undies to show! I know this might not sound like much but for me ever since I made my first pair of knickers I have been hanging out to make more!
Yes I could go down to the local supermarket and buy a pack for close to what the elastic and thread for these guys cost me, or even spend a few more dollars and get a really nice but pricey pair from a proper lingerie store, BUT will they fit me properly?
Most importantly - to use a phrase coined by another sewist on a blog/forum I read recently (sorry I can't remember where) - WILL I have to do the "Pluck Of Shame"? (I did come up with my own term for this phenomenon "HBS" or "Hungry Butt Syndrome" ....somehow I like "Pluck Of Shame" better ;)
Unfortunately the answer for most store brought underwear is yes, YES I will have to do the "pluck" if I wear them (sorry if that's TMI).
I've tried cheap, I've tried expensive and so far in many years of buying underwear there have only been a few islands of pluck free sanctuary in a sea of ever upward creeping ass coverage.
Frankly - in my case- there just isn't enough fabric to cover my decidedly pear shaped behind (thanks genetics!...and chocolate), plus even if the fabric coverage is generous usually the shape is all wrong!
I discovered - mostly by accident- after making my own that if I scoop out the rear leg seams (the one that makes the elastic sit under your butt checks) and make them a bit rounder then "voila" undies stay where they are meant to be! No other magic required!
I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only person to have thought of doing this and that if I actually did a little research I would have come across this method (or something similar and probably sooner) on the Internet. Still I'm a little bit chuffed I came up with a solution to my "pluck factor" problem on my own! ;) I actually have seen a similar thing done in lieu of a FBA on the side seam of t-shirts, which is what gave me the idea :)
Of course this does make my undies look a bit more "boule" shaped once the elastic is added (pulling in that extra bit of fabric) and they are off the body:
BUT (or is that butt?) as long as they look OK -and work like they should when on- I'm more than happy!
Here's to D.I.Y underwear!!!
Happy Sewing!
Kate x
You simply adjust the little wheely/screw (?) thing until the white plastic bit is the desired distance from the stitching line and use it as a guide for the garment edge. Great for when you are working with very small amounts such as 1/8" and 2/8".
Such a simple and effective tip, using what I already have- why didn't I think of it?
