How to Measure Properly for Your Next Sewing Project

How to Measure Properly for Your Next Sewing Project

One of the best things about custom-tailored clothing is that it can be made to fit perfectly. Instead of going to the store and buying one size that’s made to fit various body types, you can have clothes that fit just right in every way. It definitely beats buying a small only to find that it’s right on the money around the waist but a mile too short!

For the casual seamstress, measuring can be a bit of a stumbling block. It’s not rocket science, but it does have to be precise in order to get your project just right. Here are some tips to help you measure properly for your next project.

Men and Boys

* For the neck, the measuring tape should go around the base of the neck where the collar sits.
* When measuring the chest, be sure to measure the fullest part. This should be just under the arms, and the tape should be centered over the shoulder blades in the back.
* The waist measurement should be at the natural waist, at or very close to the bellybutton.
* The hips should be measured around the fullest part, leaving the tape loose enough to slide fingers underneath.
* Sleeves should be measured from the top of the shoulder bone to the wrist.
* Inseams should be measured from crotch to ankle, and outseams from the natural waist to the ankle.
* Back width is best measured when wearing a dress shirt. Measure from shoulder blade to shoulder blade at the shoulder seam of the shirt.
* For coats, the center back measurement should be taken from the base of the neck, along the spinal column. Front length goes from the shoulder seam to the desired length of the coat.

Women and Girls

* The bust should be measured at the fullest part, going under the arms. The tape should not be too snug.
* The chest should be measured above and below the bust.
* Inseams and outseams are measured the same way as they are for men.
* The waist should be measured at the smallest point, or where the waist of the garment is to sit. The hips should be measured 6 inches below the waist, and again at the fullest point.
* Skirt length is measured from the waist to the desired length.
* Sleeves are measured from the shoulder to the curve of the wrist, with the elbow slightly bent.

General Tips

* When measuring the hips, the heels should be together.
* Unless otherwise noted, the measuring tape should be snug but not tight.
* It’s always better to take too many measurements than not enough.

SEWING MACHINES NEEDLES NEW POTABLE MACHINE BEGGINERS

OMEGA605 Industrial Strength HEAVY DUTY Sewing Machine

OMEGA386 HEAVY DUTY Sewing Machine CASE incl. FREE SHIP

Singer Sewing Machine Needles and assortment of others

The Net Effect Review

I thought I’d show you a little more inside The Net Effect, so I created a quick video review from inside The Net Effect Journal

Here are just a few of the things mentioned in the video:

- showed several of the contributors to the current journal
- 7 step action plan for top rankings
- what would a page 1 ranking do for your business: double it? triple it?
- is your site stuck in the 90’s? Learn how to improve conversion by tweaking your current design.
- are your connecting with your market? Micro-blogging with Twitter is easy end effective
- have you heard about video article marketing? Video is HOT these days
- learn where you can submit your videos for increased traffic and profits
- if you get overwhelmed easily, don’t worry: there is a monthly action plan to help you accomplish your

Do you have questions? Let me knwo and I’ll do my best to answer them. In the mean time, go sign up for The Net Effect from StomperNet

The Pros and Cons of Using a Knitting Machine

The Pros and Cons of Using a Knitting Machine

Hand knitting is believed to have originated prior to the eleventh century. References to knitting in historic literature, as well as knitted artifacts, have been found in Europe, Egypt, and other locations around the world. The first primitive knitting machines began to appear just prior to the Industrial Revolution.

Knitting machines have evolved tremendously over the years. Once requiring the operator to do most of the work, many of today’s machines are computerized and motorized. Here are some of the pros and cons of knitting machines.

Pros

* A knitting machine makes knitting much faster. A piece that would take days to do by hand can be completed on a machine in no time. This is especially beneficial for those who sell their knit items, because they can produce more products in less time.
* Pieces that are knitted by machine tend to be more uniform than those that are hand knitted. The machine’s tension provides a nice, even texture that even the most experienced knitters are hard pressed to replicate.
* Motorized knitting machines are good for those with arthritis and similar ailments. They greatly reduce the need to use one’s hands, allowing those who physically cannot knit by hand to create knitted items.

Cons

* There are certain stitches that knitting machines do not do well. These must be done by hand for maximum quality, so if a piece contains a large number of such stitches, it might make more sense to knit it by hand.
* Each knitting machine is designed to work with a specific type of yarn. The needles are set according to which type is to be used. So if you want to work with a different type of yarn, you can’t use your machine to do it.
* Knitting machines are rather expensive. So unless you’re going to use one fairly frequently, it may not be worth the price.
* You can’t really take a knitting machine with you like you can hand knitting. It must be clamped to a table, so when you’re knitting by machine, you’re confined to a certain area.
* Like any other machine, a knitting machine is subject to errors. They can jam, parts can break, and things can just go wrong in general. These are things you don’t have to worry about when hand knitting.

Many knitters combine machine knitting with hand knitting to get the desired results. They use the machine to do pieces such as backs and sleeves that are made completely of stockinette, and do the more complex parts by hand. This allows them to get the finished product done much faster without making extensive adjustments to the machine.

Using a knitting machine has its advantages and disadvantages. If you’re knitting as a hobby, whether or not to use a machine is a matter of your own preferences. Both machine knitting and hand knitting can produce lovely pieces.

BROTHER BULKY KH-260 KNITTING MACHINE **PUNCHCARD SET**

Singer Mod LC2 Lace Carriage Knitting Machine w/ Cards

« Previous Page — Next Page »