I need a few questions answered please

[Mark Flint]

I am making a pair of Canvas pants and a few questions have come up.

I needed more pins (seems simple enough) I bought some longer "Needle strength pins" What the heck is the difference?

This is fairly light canvas, can I use standard thread, or do I need jeans thread?

I intend to use a jeans needle-I assume this is right, am I missing something?

Where I am instructed to trim the seam allowance to 1/4 is it acceptable to use pinking shears (I assume so, but I know how that can backfire!)

Thanks for all the help!

[Carolina Chipmunk]

Where I am instructed to trim the seam allowance to 1/4 is it acceptable to use pinking shears (I assume so, but I know how that can backfire!)

That is one I actually know! I am pretty sure that you can use pinking shears. I was trained to always use them.

[Allie Mo]

Hi J. Mark,

I don't have a serger or I'd use it. Some folks do "pink."

I sew my seam. Then I place the side of my machine's foot next to the seam and stitch 1/4 inch approx. away. I trim next to the second seam with regular scissors. Then I zig zag stitch the edge.

Regards,

AM
Who thinks you could ask TA! I'm sure she would have great advise or something.

[Nellie Blue]

Since you don't seem to have a serger, I would trim with regular scissors and zig zag the edge...pinks can sometimes cause weekness if you're trimming it that close...if it were a normal 1/2" seam, I would cut the whole outfit out with pinks, but trimming it to 1/4"?....not sure how that would work.

Mo...maybe it's like shooting...it's hard to take advice from someone you're in love with....

[Lizzie Marie]

Cookie has a pair of canvas military pants...the edges are serged however, I think if you zigzag the edges you would be alright

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

I would use a jean thread if you can easily find it...it is just a bit heftier...like the canvas.

I think you will be happier cutting to 1/4 and zig-zagging it will wah better a pinked seam will fray a bit and you wash pants a lot.

never heard of a needle strength pin...but I can tell you if you iron over a glass head pin as they are designed for...don't pull a gypsy and try to pull out the pins right away (ouch)
I like long pins....some folks like short...if you sew enough you will develop a preference.

YES to the jean needle...especially where you may have some thinkness in the seams...you will need the strength. Use a lot of steam with your iron, it softens the canvas and makes it easier to sew through.

[Mark Flint]

Thank you all, and especially your insight Nellie. I tried to leard from Alli at my last visit and I was not a good pupil-I learned, but I really had difficulty with asking for help and not getting frustrated. I just feel getting through this project without having to ask Alli for help would make me feel better about my sewing talent or lack thereof.

I got the pattern cut out tonight, the fabric cut as well, I got started and completed the fly and the overlap and decided that I should probably leave the next steps until I am fresh and have plenty of time as the directions started to not make sense.

So far, knock on wood, everything has come out just like the illustrations and I feel I am heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, I am losing weight as I work on these and the smallest pattern is for a 38, and my 36's are falling off of me. I am going to have to take a look at where I will need to take up that extra material- I have a small butt, so if I don't make some adjustments they are going to swallow me whole!

I'll look at it fresh tomorrow evening and see what needs to be done.

Thanks again!

[Tornado Alli]

Mark, Honey, baste your inseam and the side seams and try them on before you stitch them. You can tell whether or not to take them in more. And be sure to sit down in them before you decide! If you take them up too much, sitting will be a problem! Fitting pants is kind of a trial and error type thing. What fits you will not necessarily fit someone else the same size.

And you were not a bad pupil! You just want to do everything yourself! I was a lousy teacher because I just wanted to do it for you!

Good luck, Baby!

:sewing

[Mark Flint]

Thanks beautiful, I learned a lot in a hurry working with you. I just am glad you don't feel like I was as difficult as I felt I was. I'm certainly appreciative of your help! Thanks for the advice here.

On top of anything else you may ever be, you are my best friend!

Mark "That's thankful to have a talented and beautiful sewing instructor" Flint


Heading to work as soon as I get a short lull in the downpour!

[Coffee Em]

Another dealiebob you might find helpful, especially if you're hemming jeans and heavy pants often, is a Jean-a-ma-jig (tm) or something like it. Stupid name, handy object. When you sew across a seam, it helps coax your presser foot over the hump made by the seam allowance in heavy material. Looks like this: (Only a lot smaller--let me reload that. There.)

Cheers,
Coffee Em

[Cinnamon Teal]

Mark,

You mentioned trimming your seam to 1/4" - be careful with this. Canvas has a tendency to ravel or pull at the seams. I'd probably trim to 3/8 - 1/2 and zig zag the edges. Also, sew your crotch seams twice for reinforcement.

Sounds like you are doing a great job so far.

[Mark Flint]

Well the instructions called for trimming to a 1/4 inch after stitching, but I pinked and double stitched. I have lots of pants, so they won't get worn a whole lot anyway, but I'll take a look at them and see if more is necessary. It calls for ging back and top stitching, so I think that will cover it. We'll see

Signing off for the time being and heading to look at the pocket instructions for a bit!

[Coffee Em]

I keep wanting to ask you to post pictures of every stage (but I don't want to slow you down). I have an unreasoning fear of making trousers, which has left El Husband with one (admittedly very nice) pair of Wah Makers.

Cheers,
Coffee Em

[Greeneyed Gypsy]

Oh yeah... and you KNOW the Alley rules...when they are all done...FRONT -SIDE and BACK :noe

[Pretty Mean Shawme]

I'm sorry I missed your questions! I hope you are doing well with your project!

[Mark Flint]

Project was aborted a few moments ago-it seems that the pattern I selected at 38" actually very small and it came about an inch and a half shy of fitting me. I thought about trying to work it out, but the seams just didn't have enough room.

On the plus side, I learned how to do a button fly and how to make slash pockets. I am much better at reading the instructions on this particular pattern
the frst pocket took 2 hours, the second one took less than 10 minutes.

I'll try again next week if I can find some decent fabric, but I'm going to have to cut em a bit bigger this time around!

[Lizzie Marie]

Oh J Mark...welcome to my world....only I forgot to interface the waistband and the material stretched so much the pants pretty much fall off Cookie :pp and then you see :moon :18

[Wallaby Jack]

FINISH them, and do a "Ruff" 'till ya fits 'em
or, finish them and give 'em to some deserving cowboy starting out and needing assistance
or, finish them for the practice

:)

[Coffee Em]

Hmm, I think Wallaby's onto something there.

Cheers,
Coffee Em

[Nellie Blue]

I've got a couple of outfits waiting...and a whole suitcase of Rockies jeans!

[Tatted Lady]

Mark, good luck with the pants.

Most important!!! Wash and dry the fabric first, (machine or line dry, however you will be doing it in the future). Canvas can shrink alot!!!!

Just zig/zag over the cut ends first. Use some of the Downey wrinkle control softner, to loosen it up some. :whip

And I would use upholstery thread. And the jeans thread for the topstitching.

[Coffee Em]

Yayyy, Tatted Lady's here! Yaaayyyyyy!

Cheers,
Coffee Em