Craft question

[lalicopa]

So, I bought some patterns today at Wal-Mart and I'm thinking about attempting the one marked "EASY" - so how hard is it to actually sew something from a pattern if you have no idea how to do that? And what the heck is "interfacing?"

Thanks.

Comments

[custard-kisses.livejournal.com]

Sewing from a pattern is as easy as followinga recipe for a cake. Most patterns include a key to their abbreviations but if not I'm sure their will be a decoder on line somewhere ;)
Here's my tip don't cut your pattern though, trace over it with some newspapper or tracing paper and cut that. I made that mistake once and couldn't use the other sizes include din the pattern doh.

Interfacing is the stiff webbing type fabric that often goes inside two normal bits of fabric to give some body and stiffness to it. You often see in around that strip where buttons fo ina shirt. You can get iron on interfacing hwich makes life a lot easier.

Good luck, what are you going to make?

[lalicopa.livejournal.com]

I got 3 different packets of kids' clothing patterns, just some cute stuff that didn't appear too complicated. I have to go to the sewing store tomorrow anyway, so I'll look over the patterns and see what I need in advance.

Thanks!

[sarajoyo.livejournal.com]

Very easy. Especially if it's marked "easy." Just follow the directions -- post if you get stuck, and I'll bet someone here can help you. I trace patterns too, unless I got them from a $.99 sale, in which case it's cheaper just to cut the pattern and buy another one at another sale if I ever want a different size. For interfacing, I'm guessing it's probably for a collar or placket (where the buttons/snaps go on a shirt), and if it's for the kids, you probably want "lightweight fusible interfacing." It's a big white sheet, kind of flimsy and see-through, with little dots on one side; you iron it to the pieces, and it gives them a bit of stiffness. If you go to JoAnn's or Hancock's, they usually have a big rack of various kinds near the cutting counters. Tell them what it's for, and they may be able to find you the right kind.

But seriously, give it a shot! I'm all about jumping right in with sewing -- if you really love the fabric you want to use for an item, you might consider trying the pattern first in an inexpensive fabric, so that all mistakes get made on it.

[jenrose]

Most places where interfacing is recommended, I don't do it unless I'm going for a particularly "crisp" look or using a particularly flimsy fabric.

Easy patterns usually are, but it can be SO helpful if you have someone to answer your questions as you go.

I started on baby clothes--made TONS when my older daughter was little, very easy pattern.

[mybonnykate.livejournal.com]

What everyone else said, jump right in! And post every five minutes if you have questions as you go.