| Stripes and plaids! They’re always
fashionable and can be made into the most professional appearing garments
that can emerge from the sewing room.
Even the prettiest plaid or stripe material can be
ruined by careless cutting and sewing. It is imperative, therefore, that
you have an understanding of two essential words in the plaid/ stripe
jargon: EVEN and UNEVEN.
Fabric can be tested at the time of purchase in
order to determine whether the design is even or uneven, which will be
important information for selecting the fabric or the pattern that will be
used.
Stripes can run lengthwise, crosswise or diagonally.
To test lengthwise stripes – make a lengthwise fold, right sides of
fabric together; turn back one corner to form a right angle fold – EVEN
stripes will match along the angle in width, color and sequence; UNEVEN
stripes will not match in all three respects.
In nearly the same way, test cross-wise stripes by
folding the fabric CROSSWISE and turn back a right angle corner – check
for a match.
Test diagonally striped fabric by placing fabric
with (unfolded) surface right side up; for diagonals running from upper
left to lower right, turn back a lower left hand corner; for diagonals
running the opposite direction, turn back the lower right hand corner –
check for match in all respects.
Plaids require more careful scrutiny. Fold a plaid
in the same way as a lengthwise stripe, but examine the outside edges of
the folded corner, as well as the angle. Everything must match, in all
directions.
When purchasing plaid fabric, always buy half a yard
extra to allow for matching. Then plan how the plaid or stripe should run.
Do you want the main lines to run bias, across or up and down. If the
fabric pattern is bold and large, more care is required than for a smaller
stripe or plaid.
All of the rules for cutting stripes and plaids can
be summed up in one dire warning. Don’t cut until you are sure
everything is going to turn out all right!
EVEN stripes are easiest to work with and can meet
to form chevron “V’s” without difficulty. UNEVEN lengthwise stripes
will chevron only if the fabric is reversible. UNEVEN cross- wise stripes
will chevron on shaped, curved or bias seams.
Stripes and plaids cannot match in every area, so
give priority to side, front armhole and waist seams, or to points where
an upper and lower garment meet.
Make all pattern alterations before laying them on
the fabric. Cut out even stripes and plaids on pinned double layers, if
desired, but cut uneven ones singly and use them with the “with nap”
layout.
The extra precaution taken at the beginning of the
project will be well worth the effort as you show off the completed
garment.
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About the author:
Sarah J. Doyle is author of over 25 sewing, craft
and how-to books, as well as author of online pattern making, sewing and
craft classes. Visit http://SewWithSarah.com for information on books,
classes, newsletters and the latest hints and tips and http://SarahJDoyle.com
for additional FREE articles.
(c) Copyright 2003, Sarah J. Doyle. All Rights
Reserved.
You have permission to publish this article
electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are
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would be appreciated. |
