Dee or anyone who sews - another sewing question

**homesteadmamma** · 02-21-2004, 11:19 AM

When cutting out your pattern, how do you keep straight lines. I can cut straight lines when it comes to quilting, but I find sometimes my lines when cutting with scissors aren't exactly straight. Now I know that usually doesn't make a difference for the sewing, but I want to learn to sew neatly.

Is there a trick to it or just practise with scissors?

**SewCrafty** · 02-21-2004, 11:28 AM

I always cut out a pattern with the pattern piece facing the back of my hand. That way you don't undercut the pattern piece. This works for right and left handed people.

Have sharp scissors and take even cuts with your scissors. What I mean by that is when you start a cut, finish it, don't keep taking little itty bitty cuts.

Do not 'lift' up the pattern piece as you are cutting it, keep it flat on your table and use your other hand (one without the scissors) to hold the fabric down and still as you are cutting.

I'll do this and have hubby take pics for me to post in a bit.

**homesteadmamma** · 02-21-2004, 11:39 AM

I always cut out a pattern with the pattern piece facing the back of my hand. That way you don't undercut the pattern piece. This works for right and left handed people.

Not sure what you mean by this?

**SewCrafty** · 02-21-2004, 11:48 AM

I'll post pics in a few CJ, hubby is eating lunch right now.

**Guest1** · 02-21-2004, 12:01 PM

I do the same.....CJ - cut out your pattern opposite of the way folks "normally" cut things out ~ ie. with your fingers curled around the scissor and "to" the object to be cut out......when you cut up one side of the pattern piece, the "excess" will be in front of you....hmmm....and here I thought I was helping....we'll just wait for the pics Dee!!

Oh yeah - but it is a "skill" that comes with time....I can't get the hang of this darned rotary cutter!!

As far as scissors go ~ The more you cut out, the easier it gets!!

**SewCrafty** · 02-21-2004, 12:29 PM

In this picture is how I cut out patterns. I am right handed, so my left hand is holding the fabric down and the pattern is to the back of my cutting hand. I added and arrow to help you see what I mean.

**SewCrafty** · 02-21-2004, 12:33 PM

This next picture is how NOT to cut out a pattern. See how my left hand is lifting the fabric up? This is a No No, what is does is distorts the fabric so you can't get an even line and possibly undercut on your pattern piece. You can fudge the seams a little when working with 5/8" or 1/2" seam allowances but if you are making (and Kwik Sew patterns come to mind here) a t-shirt, they only allow 1/4" for a seam allowance so they isn't a whole lot to play with there.

**SewCrafty** · 02-21-2004, 12:33 PM

Does that help you CJ?

**homesteadmamma** · 02-21-2004, 01:10 PM

Well as usual I was doing it all wrong. This is a tremendous help Dee. Thanks so much for always being so quick to help. Now that I can see how its done, it makes perfect sense.

Glad I asked before I cut anything else out. It was just so frustrating to get lines that weren't done well.