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11.12

sewing 101: marking fabric with thread

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SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

sewing 101// marking fabric with thread

Today I wanted to share how I usually mark fabric. There are so many things from patterns that need to be transferred over to the fabric to make sewing easier. Things like: pocket placement, pleat markings, ruffle markings, sleeve ease markings, etc.

I’m doing this example on a welt pocket for the Kennedy Coat (almost done!). Using thread to mark fabric is a great way to mark all layers of fabric easily without ruining your pattern! I’m using a very dark thread so it’s easy for you to see, but I actually recommend a thread that isn’t too different than your fabric just because it can leave behind tiny little fibers that are hard to get off your fabric.

So let’s get started!

Pin your pattern piece with placement onto your pieces.

SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

Then you’ll essentially be creating an “X” over each point that you want to mark. I’m marking the corners of the welt pocket placement/ I’m using the small dashed line for my guide.

SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

You can see the X shape best in this photo below. I always use double thread and try to leave extra at each end.

SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

Mark all four points. It looks a little crazy right now!

SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

Now slowly peel the paper off of the fabric. Clip the threads close to the paper so you get as much thread as you can.

SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

This will leave you with a bunch of threads creating little squares. Your (invisible) marks are in the exact middle of the threads.

SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

Slowly peel up the top layer of fabric and clip threads in the middle to pass the markings to both layers of fabric.

SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

 

I like to use a pencil to connect my points (which is sorta a sewing no-no, writing on fabric with a pencil, but since I know this will be hidden, it’s okay.) You can just sew the points with your machine and skip the pencil, but it helps me. And of course, using a water soluble fabric pencil or pen is another good idea. SEWING 101: HOW TO TRANSFER PATTERN MARKINGS WITH THREAD || sewing tutorial | transfer pattern markings | how to transfer pattern markings using thread | pattern markings | sewing 101 || See Kate Sew #sewing101 #patternmarkings #sewinghowtos #seekatesew

Now sew it up!

I’ll show you how to finish this pocket next week!

6 Comments | Sewing 101, Tutorials

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6 Comments

  1. Hashi

    11/12 at 2:21 PM

    “Clip the threads close to the fabric”? Do you mean, close to the paper? It looks like that’s what you’ve done.

    • kate

      11/12 at 7:39 PM

      Oh you are right! I updated that. Thank you!

  2. Nakisha

    11/12 at 3:20 PM

    What a neat trick!

    • kate

      11/12 at 7:39 PM

      Thanks Nakisha!

  3. Bethany

    11/18 at 12:56 AM

    I remember my grandma teaching me this technique, but had long forgotten to actually apply it to my garment sewing. Thanks for the reminder!

    • kate

      11/20 at 11:41 AM

      No problem!

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