Diaper Swappers

divabeadz · 01-13-2012, 08:16 AM

I don't sew as often as I like because I always get frustrated over arm holes and have to leave the project and come back to it later. I can't seem to get them turned and pinned nice and smooth. Are there any tricks or tips that you can share to make arm holes easier (on sleeveless toddler garments)

ETA:
Here's the finished dress. I'm head over heels in love with it. You can see 2 puckers at the arm hole but overall, not noticable. The pattern is from Nina Bonita Designs on Etsy. Super cute. I think I might make another one I love it so much.

MomdeIsla · 01-13-2012, 12:09 PM

I always turn and sew or put the binding/ sleeve on first....then sew up the side seams. When I learned how to sew I had an old vintage machine without a free arm....so I had to, 15 yrs later different machine....but I still do it for most tops. If you pattern has notch marks for placement...always transfer those to your pattern with taylors chalk or snip a little of the fabric (don't go deeper than the seam allowance though!).

also spray starch and an iron can be your friend!

tibeca · 01-13-2012, 12:46 PM

I like to put the sleeves on first too. When doing sleeveless, I do the binding first too.

divabeadz · 01-13-2012, 01:40 PM

Thank you! This is a sleeveless dress and I guess I'm not 100% sure what binding is. The pattern said to fold 1/4" press, then fold another 1/4" press and sew BUT the big thing I missed which would have been a huge help (thank you for mentioning it Michelle!) was the notch marks - I saw them and didn't know what they were for because I'd done other patterns by this maker and none of them had notch marks. I meant to find out what those dots on the pattern were but completely forgot about till I read Michelle's post above and had the "ah-ha" moment...lol.

MomdeIsla · 01-13-2012, 02:11 PM

glad I could help.

your pattern just has a turned and stitch edge.....I usually finish the edge (serge or do a zig zag) then press it with the following the curve of the shoulder....I have been known to stitch those by hand to get a prettier flat look.....but on a moving kid remember who's going to know but you?

divabeadz · 01-13-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MomdeIsla

glad I could help.

your pattern just has a turned and stitch edge.....I usually finish the edge (serge or do a zig zag) then press it with the following the curve of the shoulder....I have been known to stitch those by hand to get a prettier flat look.....but on a moving kid remember who's going to know but you?

turned twice so the raw edge is concealed.

LOL! So true. I had one pattern for a shirt that I really botched the elastic waist, which I'd never done before...and truthfully, once the shirt was on her nobody could tell how bad the elastic looked inside the garment...hahaha.

Rdesonia · 01-13-2012, 03:17 PM

Seam binding/hem tape/bais tape! It all works.
Here is a tutorial that uses bias tape. This is just to show you the concept as this has no shoulder sleeves.
http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/03/d...s-pattern.html

Rdesonia · 01-13-2012, 03:20 PM

I meant shoulder seams.

MomdeIsla · 01-13-2012, 07:33 PM

I remind myself of the moving kid thing all the time.....otherwise I would never finish a project trying to make it "perfect"

divabeadz · 01-14-2012, 05:26 AM

Thank you again. The dress is coming along nicely. I'm heading out of town this morning so I won't be able to finish it till next week. The fabric I bought drapes beautifully so I think it's going to look so pretty when it's finished! I'll post pics when I'm done!

01-13-2012, 08:16 AM	#1
divabeadz Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In a turn of the century farmhouse with my 2 favorite people! Posts: 3,780 Ratings: 28 Feedback: 100%	(added photo) I struggle sewing arm holes. Is there a trick to it? I don't sew as often as I like because I always get frustrated over arm holes and have to leave the project and come back to it later. I can't seem to get them turned and pinned nice and smooth. Are there any tricks or tips that you can share to make arm holes easier (on sleeveless toddler garments) ETA: Here's the finished dress. I'm head over heels in love with it. You can see 2 puckers at the arm hole but overall, not noticable. The pattern is from Nina Bonita Designs on Etsy. Super cute. I think I might make another one I love it so much. __________________ AMA mom to my miracle baby...ttc for 6 yrs, gave up and by the time I learned I was pg, she was born a mere 28 days later at 2 lbs 10 oz. Truly my blessed miracle. Last edited by divabeadz; 01-21-2012 at 07:59 PM. Reason: added pics

01-13-2012, 12:09 PM	#2
MomdeIsla Registered Users Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,372 Ratings: 36 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: I struggle sewing arm holes. Is there a trick to it? I always turn and sew or put the binding/ sleeve on first....then sew up the side seams. When I learned how to sew I had an old vintage machine without a free arm....so I had to, 15 yrs later different machine....but I still do it for most tops. If you pattern has notch marks for placement...always transfer those to your pattern with taylors chalk or snip a little of the fabric (don't go deeper than the seam allowance though!). also spray starch and an iron can be your friend! __________________ Michelle, Mama to W (9/06) & I (11/08) & E (10/19/12)

01-13-2012, 12:46 PM	#3
tibeca Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,663 Ratings: 49 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: I struggle sewing arm holes. Is there a trick to it? I like to put the sleeves on first too. When doing sleeveless, I do the binding first too.

01-13-2012, 01:40 PM	#4
divabeadz Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In a turn of the century farmhouse with my 2 favorite people! Posts: 3,780 Ratings: 28 Feedback: 100%	Re: I struggle sewing arm holes. Is there a trick to it? Thank you! This is a sleeveless dress and I guess I'm not 100% sure what binding is. The pattern said to fold 1/4" press, then fold another 1/4" press and sew BUT the big thing I missed which would have been a huge help (thank you for mentioning it Michelle!) was the notch marks - I saw them and didn't know what they were for because I'd done other patterns by this maker and none of them had notch marks. I meant to find out what those dots on the pattern were but completely forgot about till I read Michelle's post above and had the "ah-ha" moment...lol. __________________ AMA mom to my miracle baby...ttc for 6 yrs, gave up and by the time I learned I was pg, she was born a mere 28 days later at 2 lbs 10 oz. Truly my blessed miracle.

01-13-2012, 02:11 PM	#5
MomdeIsla Registered Users Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,372 Ratings: 36 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: I struggle sewing arm holes. Is there a trick to it? glad I could help. your pattern just has a turned and stitch edge.....I usually finish the edge (serge or do a zig zag) then press it with the following the curve of the shoulder....I have been known to stitch those by hand to get a prettier flat look.....but on a moving kid remember who's going to know but you? __________________ Michelle, Mama to W (9/06) & I (11/08) & E (10/19/12)