Hi,

Did you find the blog? I hope so. Nearly everyone has finished their skirts now. Rachel, maybe you can help Autumn finish hers since she left it home last week. They turned out very cute.

We will be working on the pants next meeting. Please finish the seams ahead of time by zigzagging close to the edges down both sides of each piece with matching thread. That will make a total of 8 sides to do. The top and bottom edges will not need to have the finishing done on them because they will be inside a casing or a hem.

If you start zigzagging soon you will have them done by the meeting on May 1. Jenna did all of hers on Friday afternoon and was glad when she was finished! We should be able to finish the pants in our meeting if you get that done at home.

Hope you were able to find this.

Jandia

Tips on Cutting Out Fabric Using a Pattern

Hello again,

Here some steps go through when cutting out your pants from a pattern.

1. Look at the pattern picture to decide which view you wish to use. Look at the back to find your size and the amount and kind of fabric you need for the view you want. Look at the notions needed. Do you remember from last meeting what notions are? Fabric usually comes in widths of around 45" but sometimes it is closer to 60" so the pattern will tell you how much to buy for those two widths.

2. Wash your fabric. Use a little laundry detergent. It can be a short cycle in warm water. This will make sure the fabric will not shrink after you have sewn it and that the color is secure.

3. On your pattern instructions, find the cutting layout for the view and size you have decided to make. Look for the number on the pattern pieces you need to use. For example you might need to use pattern pieces 1 and 2.

4. Find those pieces and cut around them to remove them from all the other pieces so they will easier for you use. Using a slightly warm iron, press them to smooth out all the folds and wrinkles

5. Go back to the layout intructions and follow them to place the pattern on your fabric and pin it on. You will be cutting two of each pants piece so make sure the fabric is double and the grain line on the pattern is straight with the grain on the fabric.

6. Carefully cut around the edge of the pattern.

Go to go, more later.

Jandia

Next meeting information

Hello Woodwards, Hansens, Kangs, and Knaupps,

I hope you are having a happy time this Easter weekend. On this coming Friday, April 17, we will be doing alot of sewing again finishing up the skirts and beginning on the pants.

Now that you have had practice sewing seams, casings, and hems, let's try to follow the sewing standards I passed out last week to your mothers to prepare this project for the fair. Some of you might enter your skirts, too.

Please bring your pants (bermuda shorts length or longer pajama pants, your choice) already cut out, using the pattern to select the size, fabric type, and the view.

I will write more to you on Tuesday.

Jandia (See last posting if you don't recognize this name)