Plaid Hell

What a pain! Reminds me that years ago I was laying out a pantsuit for DD of a knit plaid. Learned how far off the plaid was and figured out (DUH) that sure enough, knits are made in the round, then cut open, so the plaid couldn't match. By careful laying out I got all the seams to match except the center back of the top. I told myself a blind man would be glad to see it (DM's response to such eyesores).

Don't know why your selvedge was so wierd.

Jean M.

let me guess, no-name fleece, right?

Dear Pat,

I don't use fleece, but here's a short lesson on plaids for "regular" fabric.

The selvages don't match on regular fabrics, because they are woven for a 5/8-inch seam allowance. If you pin in a seam allowance, you'll see that the plaids match perfectly. To make sure that the cutting is perfect, match one stripe across the entire piece, then staple it in half about every four inches along the selvages.

To sew, press under one seam allowance, and place it along the sewing line on the matching piece.. Use a long, zigzag stitch, just catching the folded edge of the seam. Turn to the wrong side, and sew the regular 5/8-inch seam, then remove the zigzag stitching. You should have a perfect seam.

I had one plaid that defied even these directions, and I ended up hemstitching the seams by hand. They were in wool trousers that I hope intend to last for many years...

Teri

Bless your heart!! But!!! Here's the good news---it's going on a Three Year Old! ;) As my mother would say, "They'll never notice it on a galloping horse." lol It will be beautiful and it will be just fine. The little bit will be too busy petting the wonderful new coat and loving that it was Made Special.

Go have a cookie.

Sharon

---PS I'm planning to stay in all day tomorrow if I can. **I** know how to drive in snow. But there's too many folks who can't drive well on 540 when it's warm and dry. Not chancing it with them tomorrow! lol Keep warm!!

I am out of cookies.........but will substitute a glass of red wine.....so good for me you know!!

I am staying home tomorrow too, Sharon.

And.......this will truly be a galloping horse special!!

TSWLTH..........don't know the maker........She got it in California.

We were taught in my garment construction classes that plaid is supposed to be cut out in a single layer. :) One of the reasons I'll only work with it if I *really* love the plaid - I'm too much a perfectionist to do it any other way.

gabrielle

A quick trick for wonky plaids is to do something where they refuse to match... an inserted section on the bias (bias chevrons are very nice, imho), piping or ribbon over the seam or anything else to visually interrupt in the non-match area...

Kay (veteran of some really wonky plaids before I refused to buy printed plaids *ever, ever, ever*!!! again!!!!! )

Absolutely-------but this is woven this way or else they cut the selvege crooked..........it has been a Royal PITA.........

if it was fleece, it was printed that way, on or off grain...

Knitted, then printed, then the pile is raised by brushing.

Hmmmm........that's funny.....all the colors go all the way through!! Did not know you could not weave polar fleece plaids..........

yes, the base of all fleeces is a knit, stable knit base, then color is added afterwards. For more information on how fleece is made, and the various levels of quality out there Sew The New Fleece by Rochelle Harper is an excellent book. Look for some of my things in there!!

Well thanks!! .........Learn something new everyday!! Interesting.

Cookie or cake baking keeps them occupied, where you can see them, and out of mischief - as well as being fun! *AND* you get to eat the results! You can't lose! :D

That's a great substitute!!! Good for your heart. Good for your nerves. ;)

We didn't get enough snow to even cover the grass. But we have a snow day from school. So I will be home today with both my galloping horses. lol I'd best put baking more cookies on the top of my list....all that galloping works up an appetite. lol

Sharon

SHAZZZZZAM!!!!!!! I am indeed wonder woman!!!! Took me 2 days to cut this little coat, and about 3 hours to sew it. Guess What!!!! The plaids all match except for about a 3 inch stretch right in the armpit!!!

I love good advice!!!! and I love it when a plan comes together!!!

Many thanks for all the help!!!

the beauty of fleece is that is it very forgiving.