Curious Cuties – Session #3

This week's Curious Cutie is Laura, and her question was:

"What's the best way to handle curves?"

Hello, Laura. Your question is one of the things that it's best to pre-know, because many things we sew have curves. So it's always helpful having some systems.

The first thing I say, and it's pretty obvious, is practice and practice. With time you start getting the idea because your hands and even your machine will guide you almost automatically through the curve. Sometimes I'm amazed by that. It seems like the machine has a life of its own and is eager to help you.

You start very slowly, until you pick up the pace. It helps to always make sure the distance between the machine's foot and the fabric's edge is always even. Although, I find it almost easier to sew in a fast pace. Somehow it turns out better for me (go figure!).

Besides practicing, you have some tools to help you with straight seams. Such as a magnet that you place by the machine's foot/at fabric's edge, and it keeps you in the same line of sewing.

Or another option, just like you can do with straight seams that aren't curved, is marking the track. If you're sewing on the wrong side of the fabric (the not so pretty side), you can mark with a tailor's chalk or even a pencil. If it's on the right side of the fabric (the prettier side), use disappearing ink marking pen which will fade after a while. (To make it accurate, use a measuring tape to mark in a fair distance from the edge).

If you have more tips, please join in!


Want to be a Curious Cutie as well? Have questions about bag making or Januar Designs? Or about me? You could be next week's Curious Cutie! Just click here.