Basic Sewing Information

The following is meant as a basic guide for those who may not be familiar with some of the terms used for the projects you will find Behind The Seam. 

By all means, if you have a better or different way of sewing, please use what you are most comfortable using.

Sewing machine – basic straight stitch machine with or without a zigzag stitch

• use an all purpose thread for seams, not an embroidery thread

Sewing Machine Needles

• for knits use ballpoints
• for woven fabric use sharps
• all purpose needles are great for polyester

Stitches - T-shirt fabric needs to give or stretch a little

• Use a Zigzag stitch
• stretch stitch or 
• regular stretch and hold seam
  

Sewing Terms

• Raw edge – cut edge of fabric
• Right side (RS) – is the outside or correct side
• Wrong side (WS) – is the inside
• TIP - Knit fabric rolls to correct side of fabric
• RST – right sides together
• WST – wrong sides together
• Clean finish – zigzag, serge, or turn raw edge and stitch in place (to prevent fraying)
• Seam Allowances (SA) – use ¼” – ½” 
• Quarter Mark – evenly divide into four sections
• Hand stitch – stitches using a hand needle & thread

Zigzag Stitch – saw-toothed edge

• Use to join stretchy fabrics
• Prevents fraying or raveling on the seam edge
• Decorative edge

Gather – draw up fabric fullness

• Use a gathering foot or
• Zigzag over dental floss

Topstitching – stitching on outside of fabric to outline a seam

1-2-3 Tier Dress

1-2-3 Tier Dress

This 1-2-3 Tier Dress is made from a child's tie dyed T shirt and a woman's very full long skirt. Both the tie dyed T shirt and the gathered skirt were found at the local Goodwill store. They were meant to be joined!

Materials Needed:
1 yard 45" fabric or long full skirt
T shirt 
gathering foot
Zigzag sewing machine
Sewing notions

Supplies

Gather up T-shirts –

From friends, family, and second hand stores

Look for Fun Fabrics –

Consider discarded skirts, second hand stores, etc.

Sewing machine – basic machine with a zigzag stitch

Basic sewing needs: thread, scissors, hand needles, pins, chalk,

safety pin, tape measure, ruler, etc.

Decorations – buttons, zippers, trinkets, beads, etc.

1-2-3 Tier Dress

How To Instructions

From 45” wide fabric cut five 6” strips

RST, stitch the short ends together to make:

Tier 2 – 63” long (1.5 strips joined) tube

Tier 3 – 90” long (two strips joined) tube

The remaining strip is Tier 1, stitch short ends to make tube

Clean finish edges if needed by serging or zigzagging the raw edges.

Gather the top edge of each tube with a gathering foot

Align gathered edge of Tier 2 on top of the lower edge of Tier 1, adjust gathers to fit

Stitch in place

Align gathered edge of Tier 3 on top of the lower edge of Tier 2, adjust gathers to fit

Stitch in place

 

Align gathered edge of Tier 1 on top of the lower edge of T-shirt, adjust gathers to fit 
Stitch in place using a zigzag stitch