Things I'm not so good at.....

[ColleenSwerb]

Turns out, sewing in a straight line is not my strong suit.
Neither is CUTTING in a straight line.

I have a big cutting mat and a rotary cutter and a big ruler and everything.
It's a good thing I'm starting these dang totes now, cuz it's gonna take me 8 months to freaking make them! LOL!

[ditzyscrap]

LOL, yeah...I haven't perfected the kindergartener's art of cutting yet, either. And don't get me started on sewing - I have grand ideas that I can sew (and have sewed things before)...but I'm too scared to touch the sewing machine that I currently have, lol.

[emilyscout]

Do you have a t-square ruler? This helps me tremendously in cutting a straight line.

[Chels85]

HA! you should see me sewing and cutting

[my4boys]

I never cut straight either but I can sew pretty straight when I try really hard!!!

[ColleenSwerb]

My saving grace right now is a fabric pencil and guide ruler. That thing was the $1.50 I ever spent, lol.

I decided to make most of teh straps for now. I can't screw that up too badly. I didn't understand the instruction AT ALL, so I'm doing it slightly differently.

[kscwgirl]

I can't cut straight to save my life. LOL

[my3hens]

I cant even sew a button LOL I just dont sew. It wouldn't be pretty LOL I cant walk a straight line let alone cut one either, have fun with your totes sweety!

[Nettio]

I think the cutting is sometimes harder than the sewing. If you go slow, it's much easier to sew in a straight line. I tend to go fast and then it gets all crazy.

[LenaGardner]

I love my t square ruler! And sewing just takes practice. The first line I ever did I was ready to give it up...I made a whole practice quilt. Man was that thing special. LOL!

[Brooke W]

The T-Square is your friend! I haven't sewn in years and with good reason; no patience,lol.

[ColleenSwerb]

I don't think the t-square would help me. It would probably slide on the fabric just like my big ruler already does. I line up the markings on the regular ruler to the lines on the mat. It always start off squares up, but it moves on me, lol.

I made enough straps for 3 bags. I'm sewing 1 set to the first practice bag now. I can already tell I'm going to have to make the bags wider, it's too skinny right now. Thankfully I only cut 1 set of pieces for teh bag itself so I can alter the rest of them accordingly.

Thanks for the lovin ladies, I'm glad I'm not the only one in the world who can't sew a straight line, lol.

[lizzyfizzy]

oh yes. gonna be a long 8 months.

[LenaGardner]

you know what helps me from it sliding? I stand up while I'm cutting, put my weight on it. Show it who's boss.

[ColleenSwerb]

Ummmm yea, I do that Lena. Still shifts. I might be a lost cause in the straight cutting department, lol.

[kscwgirl]

Originally Posted by BrodoNY0123

Ummmm yea, I do that Lena. Still shifts. I might be a lost cause in the straight cutting department, lol.

Or you don't weigh enough.

[ColleenSwerb]

Ha! I wish that was my problem Sara

[LenaGardner]

I'll come put MY weight on it HAHAH.

the ruler weighing in at 1 lb 3 oz and Lena weighing in at 232 lbs...

a cage match.

[MelissaL88]

What kind of fabric is it, Col? The only fabric that has bested me is a slinky-type fabric. What I find helps the most for really slippery fabric is to put tissue paper on the bottom..between the fabric and the cutting board/rotaray mat. Also, I really like to use pins AND weights to hold things in place.

IM/PM me if you're looking for some advice. I think I qualify as the Sewing Queen (I make most of my own clothes).

[ColleenSwerb]

LMAO Lena!! You crack me up woman

Melissa I'm totally gonna message you. I have no idea how to put the 3 pieces of the bag together, lol. I'm stumped on the corners.

For the straps I'm using a cotton fabric, and the bag itself will be made out of duck cloth/duck canvas. That seemed like a much sturdier option than the cotton fabric they suggested.

[Stacey42]

Try putting duct tape or masking tape on the underside of the ruler you are using. It will give the slippy fabric soemthing to grip onto. Several smallish pieces in a row down the length of it. Even some painters tape will probably work if you put a couple layers on (and be easier to remove)

[ColleenSwerb]

Originally Posted by Stacey42

Try putting duct tape or masking tape on the underside of the ruler you are using. It will give the slippy fabric soemthing to grip onto. Several smallish pieces in a row down the length of it. Even some painters tape will probably work if you put a couple layers on (and be easier to remove)

Ah! That's ingenious! I was trying to think if I could do something like that last night but wasn't coming up with anything lol. *forehead slap* Thanks Stacey!

Melissa, I sent you a message

[LeeAndra]

That's why I don't do hybrid, Col.

And why I got a C in 7th grade sewing, too! *lol*

[Keely~B]

Me too! My DH does all the sewing, I can't even touch the machine without screwing something up. I have no patience for it either.

[scrapmonkey]

I'm so there with you! I've taken sewing lessons (paid a pretty penny for them too) and I still can't sew very well. And it's the doing things in a straight even line that is the biggest issue (ironing is the second biggest). That's why my mom was so surprised when I started a quilt - I actually was doing well and in a straight line, too, but it took me so long to do a few squares. Thank goodness it's a doggie quilt....
I guess that's why we're digital scrappers...

[rachelv]

I thought I could sew a straight line, til I tried making a camera strap cover on Christmas eve and found out that the lines I sew, are not straight at all.

As for cutting with the rotary, the only way I can cut a straight line, a couple pieces of fabric at a time, is to have my dh help me. He holds the top part of the ruler thing and I hold the bottom while I cut.

That means that's double the weight than Lena puts on hers!