I didn't even have to invent one

Oct 04, 2006 1 Replies

When I cut out this chef's jacket, I did all the alignment tabs as....tabs...sticking out. Now that is a pain, particularly when you use a rotary cutter. I didn't want to cut notches because I was going to flat fell. Didn't think about a tailors tack, but I was going through 4 layers most of the time. Guess it still could have been done.



So I started imagining a tool that would make cutting the tabs less of a pain. Something with a point, then a curving blade.



Then, I stopped by Hancocks on the way home, just in case someone invented it already. Found one. Just stick the point where you want, then rock it down to cut like a rotary cutter does.


Yup, though a bit clumsy. I use chalk a good deal of the time. Or you can take a page from the RTW industry and use a hole just off into the seam allowance (try it on scraps, you want to make sure you're not damaging the fabric). Easy way is to stuff an old sewing machine needle through as far as possible, then grip the point with a pair of pliers and pull it through. Or use a blunt awl (blunt, because you're trying to wiggle between yarns, not through them.)

Kay

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