I know a sewing class would help but only one place has one and I literally have no body to watch my baby so Im flying solo. I have a carpenters square,yard stick, measuring tape, and a hem measureing thingy....what else is available??
2007-05-25 13:56:30 · 9 answers · asked by Jen 3 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Absolutely you need a see thru quilters ruler AND a rotary cutter with a rotary mat!!
I quilt and would love to answer any of your questions, I'm NOT a pro but quilting is my hobby, just email me, I'd love to help if I can!
2007-05-25 14:31:15 · answer #1 · answered by Brenda R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're having a hard time with a carpenter's square and a yardstick (I use the yardstick, myself) could it be that your fabric slips or slides as you're trying to mark a straight line? If that is the case, use masking tape and tape the fabric to the floor. I'm truly not joking! Tape the corners down while you're drawing your lines. I have had good success with a yardstick, but have also been occasionally known to use tape with it -- especially for slippery fabrics.
I never knew about using a carpenter's square for sewing until one day when we had a 'costuming project day' at church for an upcoming program. One of the men who came volunteered to help cut the pieces out. My "pattern" was drawn on a little piece of notebook paper with measurements written in. I asked if he could use that or if I should cut the first one out and let him trace my full-sized work. He laughed -- he cuts sheet metal for a living, working from little diagrams like mine all the time. He went out to his truck and got his own tools, including the square. His wife and most of the other ladies were having wild giggle-fits by this time, but it worked very well for him to use those tools.
2007-05-25 14:55:23 · answer #2 · answered by thejanith 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another simple thing to use for temporarily marking on fabric is a sliver of almost-used-up bar soap!
(and for marking straight lines, all kinds of rulers long and short can be useful --and you can keep them from sliding around if necessary by putting a bit of masking tape on the back... "straight-edges" or rulers that are at least a little bit *thick* can be easier to drag your marking tool next to without slipping. Some other straight edges can be found on hardback books, boards, etc.)
P.S. Did you really want to mark "straight" lines (those without any bends)? Or just to mark any lines --straight or curved-- so that they're *even* (not wobbly)? Most of the answers here assume you want straight lines; if you want something different, you might want to create a new question making that clear in the subject line.
Diane B.
2007-05-26 06:58:21 · answer #3 · answered by Diane B. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A quilter's ruler is good because it's see through and when you line it up on your cutting mat, it works well. To mark the fabric, I like to either use chalk (for sewing/quilting) or the disappearing ink pens.
2007-05-26 19:32:20 · answer #4 · answered by Napzgrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quilter's ruler is the best. I use a 24 X 6 for most projects.
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2007-05-25 14:13:45 · answer #5 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You forgot one key element to sewing: TAILOR'S CHALK!!!
will mark line on your fabric that can simply be brushed away once finished, it's cheap and 1 block will last you a long time.
A sewers best friend!
2007-05-25 14:49:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A see through quilters ruler.
2007-05-25 14:05:21 · answer #7 · answered by Pat C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i use a transparent ruler that is six inches wide and two feet long thats meant for quilters, it holds the fabric flat while you mark it,
2007-05-25 19:37:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get some chalk. Comes off easy also. I always keep some handy.
2007-05-26 07:06:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋