For me notches are the most important! What's your top tip for sewing perfect waistbands? ✂️ If you like this content and are ready to take your sewing further, I invite you to join me at Vintage Sewing School www.vintagesewingschool.com/
Dear Ms. Wood, I just wanted to post a Thank You. I learned to sew initially from my Mother, Grandma and those classes girls were required to take at school. But that fell out of fashion and I abandoned sewing. But a few years ago while knocking around youtube I stumbled upon your channel, it was like having coffee with a friend. I began following you and re-learning to sew. I now have my machine set up in a reclaimed child's (off to college) bedroom along with my mother's machine that your videos helped me reclaim. So happy I rediscovered sewing before the world ended. Thank You. Sharon
Just a bit of history. I'm 66, when I was 14, sewing class at school. Project was to purchase simply pattern and all requirements for project. We had no money so I found the pattern for a skirt in the chuck out bin, mom had some grey stripe material and the rest. Now I realize how old that pattern was. The waistband was a facing, the hem was a separate piece sewn on about 3 inches wide. All pieces were shaped/ curved. Back zip hook and eye closure .Mom couldn't sew to this level. Lol. It took a great amount of patience, in the end the teacher told me to take it home and finish it. Which I did. It got a B on my report card . I always wished I could have lined it. And I loved how the skirt sat a my waist. I started embroidery at 4 , I have been sewing since I was 5. Serious by the time I was 8. Now I have a room and 3 machines. And still as passionate as ever. Now its historical stuff. But that first project taught me theres more than one way to finish anything , and its all about the inside! Thankyou Evelyn love the things you share. Its always different. Take care, keep safe. From nz
@@gohawks3571 never too late, keep learning. Thats why I took up historical clothing. Its a whole new world. Am I any good, or fast. No.but it will happen. Rome was not built in one day.
Here I am teaching my 5 year old granddaughter and my daughter says,”why didn’t you teach me?”. Sometimes I look back and think maybe it was because I tried when they were older and they didn’t have an interest. I bought all three daughters machines and what do they do? “Mom can you hem my pants for me?”. I think they have to have some kind of drive. I too took sewing at school when I was 14. I hated it. But after my daughter was born I learned to sew. I red books from the library and rented videos. I went to Nordstroms and saw how their little wool coats wear sewn and then go home and make them. Now I too have 4 machines, a server and an industrial machine. But you don’t have to have fancy either. My favorite sewing machine is a Necchi from I believe the 50’s, a beautiful black shiny metal that sews beautifully and my industrial with a clutch motor is a Consew also from around the 50’s. Happy sewing!
Wow! So helpful. Earlier today I spent 4 hours putting a waistband onto a skirt for my wife. You have 3 great tips I could show about 5 great mistakes to make in this operation. It’s not finished yet so there could be more mistakes before I finish! I have to get belt loops on it as well to show off the hand stitched leather belt. Your best tip, sew with the waistband (or the fabric with interfacing) on top. Helped me gather about 20mm “excess” into the band along its length. Only done 3 skirts for my wife and I’m 71 male! Love this video. Thanks.
You may appreciate bith Cornelius Quiring and The Stitchery. These are very different approaches, and very good information. I prefer The Stitchery myself, but I watching sometimes. He is more technical.
Some time ago I deconstructed a skirt bought from a charity shop and found that the waistband had been stiffened with a piece of 3 in pencil pleat curtain header tape - with the cords removed of course. Brilliant idea of the original maker.
Funny because I bought some fabric for upcycling and inherited a few metres of curtain tape with it, and I was watching this video hoping I might be able to use that tape for exactly this purpose! 😁
you know I often wonder how differently our sewing teachers would have been able to teach today given the vast amount of information and helpful videos (like yours) on the internet. Sewing was taught at the secondary school level and we (class of 16) had to share 4 sewing machines, 2 irons and 4 cutting tables, besides learning how to read a pattern and actually sew! I'm now in my 70's and have been spending many hours at my sewing machine again.. And thanks in large part to all the incredible videos and tutorials, I feel so empowered and confident to create garments or home decor. Truly a godsend for anyone wanting to learn to do anything including sewing! Many thanks to you for giving such help to us all.
Great tips as usual. Sewing with the most structured part of the garment directly under the presser foot makes so much sense. I have sometimes wondered where the little extra bits of ease come from. Now...if only I had a waist! 😄
Great idea about adding notches. I always mark centers and seams but never thought about walking the seamline and adding notches at darts and such. I will absolutely use this method next time. Thank you for another fine video. Always fun to watch
What a great tip. It made me remember a waistband I sewd many years ago, but was the easiest and best looking I ever made. It had many notches and refrence points, and I marked everyone. Don't know why this has escaped me for so long. Also great tip for princess seams. Thanks for the reminder and nice memory.
Love the idea of adding extra notches - I am cutting out a waistband today and so far the pattern has zero notches! And now I am also thinking of upgrading my interfacing as well ...
Thank you so very much!!! I have reorganized what things I eat and when I eat them. Now, I'm no longer obese. So, I'm needing to replace all the elastic bands to keep my pants from falling off. Also, I'm going to have to learn how to sew bras and underpants because I can't find any small enough for me.
I successfully completed my first shorts pattern from Etsy, doing so without actively watching TH-cam. I recalled many of your lessons while working on them🥳
Thank you so much for the tip about having the most structured piece on top. It makes perfect sense and not something I would have ever figured out myself!!
I used to sew quite a lot. Over the past few years, I had been either too busy or devoted my spare time to other creative crafts. But now I have the time, and am ready to start lots of sewing again. In many of your videos, you remind me of what I know but has been filed to the back of my mind. You also, explain the reasons for certain steps that I had been taught to do automatically; so, I will do them better. Thank you!
This is so handy! I made some adjustments to my first pair of trousers which removed notches & adjusted the waistband length. I decided I couldn’t figure out the points of references easily enough so would wing it. Before sewing I sat down to check up on different methods for sewing elastic waistbands, but instead ended up here. So here I am now measuring and adding notches 🤣 I know it’ll be worth it
20 years ago I used to watch Sandra Betzina’s TV show (looong before YT). She advised when sewing seams (especially flat to gathered), to grasp the fabric from the back and the front and gently pull it flat to assist the machine to not cause puckers. Never pull hard though, you don’t want break your needle! It was one of the best tips I ever got.
Well let's see, notches, interfacing - have to go watch your other tutorials on waste bands. Here i have been sewing for years but for some reason I'm always looking for ways to do waste bands. I am making PJ's for my grandkids and don't have any measurements. I like to add some kind of tie. For one, tells them which is the front and two, keeps their pants on. LOL After the first of the year I am looking forward to joining your sewing class!
possibly a weird thing to say but i'm obsessed with your nails - they always look amazing in your videos. I don't know how you can pick anything up with them but they always LOOK marvellous and the colour is divine! thank you for this video waistbands are my personal hell i hate doing them - here's hoping they'll be a bit less of a nightmare now! Adding the extra notches is something i am going to do RIGHT NOW. also super useful to know about having the structured piece on top. Lifesaver.
Great video, thank you so much! I feel like your videos are so great for both begginers and advanced sewers. I can't understand why commercial patterns have so few notches. I'm a patternmaker at a factory and if I forget the notches the seamstresses always point it out to me so I always make sure I include as many as I see fit.
I always used put the structured fabric on the bottom because I 'trusted it' not to stretch or skew so I didn't need to keep an eye on it 😂 but now I am going to try some trust exercises haha!
excellent video and tips! putting the structured or interfaced piece on top works because the feed dogs help ease what is below. also - this blouse is lovely on you
HazZah! Thank you Evelyn! I just realized, a couple months ago, that keeping the structured fabric on top while stitching, produced a better seam. I was having issues with the plain fabric bunching up while the interfaced fabric remained neat. Without really thinking about it, I flipped one of the pieces over as I was batch sewing, and the result was flawless! I have been sewing for probably more than 40 years, and this has only just occurred to me. 😂 Maybe I didn’t have much reason to realize it because, with garments I usually sew with the interfaced fabric on top. But it became glaringly obvious when I was working on some sewn accessories that can be sewn either way. Now that you mention it in this video, it’s a total lightbulb moment. 💡 😅
Didn't know the most structured piece should be on top. Can't remember which way I usually do it. Now I'll have to make another skirt to find out. Thanks.
Thank-you for another excellent video. This is good timing, as one of my upcoming refashions is going to be turning a pair of linen trousers into a skirt. While there's already a waistband, I have little doubt that -- when I peek inside -- it will show very little structure. I'll now feel considerably more confident about fixing it up.
Fabulous video. I love the part about notches. If there was a section about grading and/or clipping the seam, I missed it, but it is so helpful in making those waistbands lie flat, especially trimming off the interfacing within the seam line! I make tons of circle skirts and historical stuff with lots of volume in the skirts, so anything to reduce bulk within a waistband is vital. Looking forward to your “stitch in the ditch” video, since I am usually trying to meet a deadline, but some slowness in that operation will make a much tidier result, not just the inevitable topstitched look!
I am a beginner and recently started to watch your videos for advice. They are so useful but sometimes I struggle with the terminology. English is not my foreign language and I didn’t learned the vocabulary of sewing. It would be so nice to have the possibility to meet other people who sew and get some help from them but all sewing classes are cancelled due to Corona 🥺 well at least I learn new vocabularies… greetings from Germany 🌹
Great tip about sewing waistband side out. I will try that. I sewed a cuff onto a short sleeve boxy top last night and found I had excess fabric I had to hide in the side seam. I tried not to stretch the stretchy viscose rayon too much but maybe this tip would have helped.
That tip about how the top layer moves and bunches the most, so put the most stable layer there is good. I think when people do a foldover hem, they want to sew on top, to be sure the position is even... but doing it from the back would make less bunching, I guess. Good to know. I've seen some sad bunchy hems on casual clothes, for sure. Kinda ruins a skirt.
Loooved this one! 🤩 Thanks! I think I am ready to become a student at Vintage sewing school now. See you next week! P.S.: I finally did go to a couple of thriftshops this week (insprired by one of your recent videos). 90 bucks worth of thrifted buttons, trims and patterns 😁
Now that you have started getting your sewing notions at thrift stores you will never go back! Mom bought me a huge bag of notions at a neighbors estate sale when I was a teenager or close to it. That bag lasted forever. Then when I finally had to go buy new notions I couldn't believe how much they were and what inferior quality. I have enough notions that I will probably won't need to buy anything for the next 10 yrs? hahah I have my notions organized into bias tape, rayon tape, rickrack, vintage zippers,and I do love the old blanket binding. The old stuff is so soft while the new stuff looks and feels like plastic. My hubby and I use many vintage blankets on our bed so I actually use the blanket binding,
@@judyjennings-gunther4022 definitely! I just went into a frenzy at the trims rack. Omg! I found thick handwoven cotton trims (I live in northern Sweden so I think these were meant to lace fur boots), sets of metal uniform buttons, fringe trims, eyes and hooks still in original box, a women's magazine from 1960 including lovely pictures of a celebrity's home and wardrobe. I could go on forever! The bag you got sounds like dream! You are absolutely right about the quality. I refuse to buy new (meaning plastic-y) zippers because I have plenty of 1970s zippers with metal teeth and cotton tape (also thrifted this autumn). I still need a storage system for my trims. Thanks for sharing yours!
@@melissawesterlund4478 It sounds like you really scored with the trims! I have these old clear plastic containers that I got from an old(92 yrs old 25 yrs ago)friend. They look like you could fit a pair of shoes in them. Well they are a great size for bias tapes and trims. You can line them all up and see what you have . I think it is interesting when someone tries to date something by the zipper or hem tape or whatever else. I change that stuff out all the time. I have made several 30's house dresses this summer. I used vintage fabric, patterns, and notions, even finished the edges with pinking shears. No one would know that it was not original, except maybe the great condition it's in.
Wow mind blown ,I had no idea what my problem was lol and now I do! Thanks for teaching this . I'm making a skirt today can't wait to try this and see how much better it turns out 💜❤️🧡I'm so excited
Once an old tailor showed me her own way of doing a perfect, non-bulky waistband: She took a grosgrain ribbon and pinned it around the waist of the person for whom the garment was. Then she pinned the skirt to the ribbon, as you would normally do for fitting. But she didn't remove the ribbon later, but left it as the inner side of the waistband, just sort of covering it with the fashion fabric. She said she didn't hold with the folded-over type of waistband because it was unnecessarily thick and the inside was always too long. Myself, I have such a short waist that my ribs touch my hipbones if I bend sideways. So I never sew waistbands, but a sort of yoke that lies from my waistline downward.
Thank you so much for the reminder as to how critical measurements are... working in construction, I should have known that. Never saw anyone use a cloth tape on its side, though... so cool!
Oh that's great! Because I am still stuck with some of my skirts, especially my velvet one, which needs pleating! I had to open them again and just can't seem to get it right! I have prepared the waistband, but I'm wondering have I done a mistake there as well! I certainly didn't think of notches, because I patterned this skirt f another one...in a very crude manor!😂 So I'm certainly looking forward to the new classes!😇🙌
This video comes at perfect time. I’m actually going to a pair of pants from a jumpsuit pattern ( the pants part is everything I want for a pair of coloutte pants
"always have the structured garment piece on top" I think this has come naturally to me for waistbands, but it will be such a help with cuffs, collars etc. Thank you.
I was inspired by your op shop finds and I went to my local op shop today and I found a lovely vintage floral bed sheet ❤️❤️❤️ it s queen size so plenty fabric to work with. I can’t wait to make a pretty day dress out of it
We always used Petersham for waistbands, although I looked it up recently and couldn’t find any! Fortunately I have quite a few metres still. As you can tell I started sewing 60 years ago lol
Thank you Evelyn , your tips are so useful. Have you thought about writing a book with all your excellent advice. There is so much to remember and in my advancing years my memory is not what it used to be.
Thank you, this is very insightful. I do wonder about how to handle yoga pants style waistbands where they are supposed to stretch and may have more stretch than the rest of the fabric. I'm guessing the stiffer fabric would go on top when sewing? Have you ever worked with the yoga pants style waistbands? My waist and hips are about the same size and I like to wear stretch fabrics and comfortable waistbands that stretch instead of having buttons or zippers.
Great video, as Always! Do you know if they make Hair Canvas that doesn’t have to be dry cleaned? I like its support but hate to need to dry clean every garment I want to use it in. Thanks! Would love your opinion.
Random, but every time I see you, you remind me of Snow White & this outfit and make-up combo is just perfect! Also, really informational video, thank you!
Ms Evelyn, thank you so much for the timely information on the best way to sew the waistband in a skirt, your sewing tips are.....so useful ....thanks again from USA Florida, Josefina Mccarty I just subscribed to your channel .....
I had no idea that one should sew with the most-structured piece up (and yes, I always wondered why the item would bunch or pucker). Would it help to use a walking foot nearly all the time?
Hi Evelyn, I love your personal style. You are so pretty and you remind me of Snow White.🥰 Just wondering if you sew/make your own hats and scarves? TFS
Evelyn Love your videos as always, when I am sewing waistbands I have mainly done with elastic mainly on tops and skirts, I have made one for a pair or trousers/pants which was a bit difficult but they turned out great.
Question, when sewing a two piece dress (one with a bodice + skirt), should I attach the waistband to the skirt or bodice first and then attach the other half? Or should I attach the skirt+ bodice and THEN add the waistband?
I would love more info on what to do when the waistband is curved. How do we deal with grain direction in that case? I generally need curved waistbands, as straight ones always create a gap in my back, but then I always have issues with stabilizing them.
Evelyn Wood, I love all your videos! I would love to see a video on how to hem a circle skirt where the hem is curved. I am never able to get a crisp finish, the fabric always gathers at the wrong places and I always end up with mistakes. This is one of my goals for 2021 - learn how to hem curved edges properly. But it is sooo difficult. Pleaaase, make a video about this, I would looove it! :)
Not Evelyn obvs, but a tip I know is not to hem by folding up the fabric (which gets wider the further down it goes) but instead to cut out the bottom couple inches of the skirt again and use that to finish the hem instead. Although I’ve also seen people do amazing things with running a gathering line around an edge to get a neater finish when they bring the fabric up 🤷🏽♀️
I love the structure of clothing when using canvases, but don’t they need to be dry cleaned? Can you suggest the most structured material that does Not require dry cleaning?
Totally off topic comment here, but your top is so pretty and feminine!!! Is it from a favorite pattern or maybe a re- fashion that you do so lovely? Great waist band info also, enjoyed as always, thank you so much!
For me notches are the most important! What's your top tip for sewing perfect waistbands?
✂️ If you like this content and are ready to take your sewing further, I invite you to join me at Vintage Sewing School www.vintagesewingschool.com/
😂
Darn. I read the title of this video as "How to sew the perfect husband" and I got so excited, rofl
I'd watch that video too 😂
That is a super cute comment! Blessings
😂😂
😂😂😂😂😂
Love it 🤣🤣❤️
Dear Ms. Wood,
I just wanted to post a Thank You. I learned to sew initially from my Mother, Grandma and those classes girls were required to take at school. But that fell out of fashion and I abandoned sewing. But a few years ago while knocking around youtube I stumbled upon your channel, it was like having coffee with a friend. I began following you and re-learning to sew. I now have my machine set up in a reclaimed child's (off to college) bedroom along with my mother's machine that your videos helped me reclaim. So happy I rediscovered sewing before the world ended. Thank You.
Sharon
I like that not only do you explain "the what" but also "the why" behind these tips and techniques. It provides a better understanding of sewing.
I have NEVER heard that the more structured piece should be on top... definitely going to keep that in mind going forward!
Great! Let me know how it goes for you!
Ditto.
Same here. I think that's my favorite tip!
Just a bit of history. I'm 66, when I was 14, sewing class at school. Project was to purchase simply pattern and all requirements for project. We had no money so I found the pattern for a skirt in the chuck out bin, mom had some grey stripe material and the rest. Now I realize how old that pattern was. The waistband was a facing, the hem was a separate piece sewn on about 3 inches wide. All pieces were shaped/ curved. Back zip hook and eye closure .Mom couldn't sew to this level. Lol. It took a great amount of patience, in the end the teacher told me to take it home and finish it. Which I did. It got a B on my report card . I always wished I could have lined it. And I loved how the skirt sat a my waist. I started embroidery at 4 , I have been sewing since I was 5. Serious by the time I was 8. Now I have a room and 3 machines. And still as passionate as ever. Now its historical stuff. But that first project taught me theres more than one way to finish anything , and its all about the inside! Thankyou Evelyn love the things you share. Its always different. Take care, keep safe. From nz
Love that story! Wish I would have learned how to sew. Oh well, here I am!
@@gohawks3571 never too late, keep learning. Thats why I took up historical clothing. Its a whole new world. Am I any good, or fast. No.but it will happen. Rome was not built in one day.
Here I am teaching my 5 year old granddaughter and my daughter says,”why didn’t you teach me?”. Sometimes I look back and think maybe it was because I tried when they were older and they didn’t have an interest. I bought all three daughters machines and what do they do? “Mom can you hem my pants for me?”. I think they have to have some kind of drive. I too took sewing at school when I was 14. I hated it. But after my daughter was born I learned to sew. I red books from the library and rented videos. I went to Nordstroms and saw how their little wool coats wear sewn and then go home and make them. Now I too have 4 machines, a server and an industrial machine. But you don’t have to have fancy either. My favorite sewing machine is a Necchi from I believe the 50’s, a beautiful black shiny metal that sews beautifully and my industrial with a clutch motor is a Consew also from around the 50’s. Happy sewing!
Wow! So helpful. Earlier today I spent 4 hours putting a waistband onto a skirt for my wife. You have 3 great tips I could show about 5 great mistakes to make in this operation. It’s not finished yet so there could be more mistakes before I finish! I have to get belt loops on it as well to show off the hand stitched leather belt.
Your best tip, sew with the waistband (or the fabric with interfacing) on top. Helped me gather about 20mm “excess” into the band along its length.
Only done 3 skirts for my wife and I’m 71 male! Love this video. Thanks.
You may appreciate bith Cornelius Quiring and The Stitchery. These are very different approaches, and very good information.
I prefer The Stitchery myself, but I watching sometimes. He is more technical.
Some time ago I deconstructed a skirt bought from a charity shop and found that the waistband had been stiffened with a piece of 3 in pencil pleat curtain header tape - with the cords removed of course. Brilliant idea of the original maker.
😮😮😮 Wow! What a brilliant re use of materials! I think there is enough old curtain tape to make every future waistband the world ever needs!
Funny because I bought some fabric for upcycling and inherited a few metres of curtain tape with it, and I was watching this video hoping I might be able to use that tape for exactly this purpose! 😁
you know I often wonder how differently our sewing teachers would have been able to teach today given the vast amount of information and helpful videos (like yours) on the internet. Sewing was taught at the secondary school level and we (class of 16) had to share 4 sewing machines, 2 irons and 4 cutting tables, besides learning how to read a pattern and actually sew! I'm now in my 70's and have been spending many hours at my sewing machine again.. And thanks in large part to all the incredible videos and tutorials, I feel so empowered and confident to create garments or home decor. Truly a godsend for anyone wanting to learn to do anything including sewing! Many thanks to you for giving such help to us all.
Great tips as usual. Sewing with the most structured part of the garment directly under the presser foot makes so much sense. I have sometimes wondered where the little extra bits of ease come from. Now...if only I had a waist! 😄
😂😂 You make me laugh! But yes, gone are those pesky bits of ease that just show up whilst sewing!
@@Evelyn__Wood and here I thought all this time I have a sewing grinch always messing up my project *facepalm*
@@Evelyn__Wood I can't believe I never knew this and I have been sewing for a very long time! Thanks.
Great idea about adding notches. I always mark centers and seams but never thought about walking the seamline and adding notches at darts and such. I will absolutely use this method next time. Thank you for another fine video. Always fun to watch
Cynthia I think it will really help all your sewing!
What a great tip. It made me remember a waistband I sewd many years ago, but was the easiest and best looking I ever made. It had many notches and refrence points, and I marked everyone. Don't know why this has escaped me for so long. Also great tip for princess seams. Thanks for the reminder and nice memory.
Love the idea of adding extra notches - I am cutting out a waistband today and so far the pattern has zero notches! And now I am also thinking of upgrading my interfacing as well ...
Zero notches!! But how do they expect you to sew it together?? This blows my mind!
Thank you so very much!!! I have reorganized what things I eat and when I eat them. Now, I'm no longer obese. So, I'm needing to replace all the elastic bands to keep my pants from falling off.
Also, I'm going to have to learn how to sew bras and underpants because I can't find any small enough for me.
Congratulations. What fun to sew your underthings.
@@dale3404 Right? They seem so advanced!
I successfully completed my first shorts pattern from Etsy, doing so without actively watching TH-cam. I recalled many of your lessons while working on them🥳
Thanks for the tip. You're the only one who explained this well.
Thank you so much for the tip about having the most structured piece on top. It makes perfect sense and not something I would have ever figured out myself!!
Making my first self- drafted skirt and was thinking about how best to do the waistband! Perfect timing! Thank you x
I love this is such perfect timing for you!!
Oh yes... waist ban on top. One of those things I knew but didn't think about. Thanks!
The bunching up business!!! keeping the more structured piece on top great point!!
I used to sew quite a lot. Over the past few years, I had been either too busy or devoted my spare time to other creative crafts. But now I have the time, and am ready to start lots of sewing again. In many of your videos, you remind me of what I know but has been filed to the back of my mind. You also, explain the reasons for certain steps that I had been taught to do automatically; so, I will do them better. Thank you!
This is so handy! I made some adjustments to my first pair of trousers which removed notches & adjusted the waistband length. I decided I couldn’t figure out the points of references easily enough so would wing it. Before sewing I sat down to check up on different methods for sewing elastic waistbands, but instead ended up here. So here I am now measuring and adding notches 🤣 I know it’ll be worth it
Evelyn I love what you are teaching but, just your personality is so grateful that make feel that I want to learn how to sew 😅
20 years ago I used to watch Sandra Betzina’s TV show (looong before YT). She advised when sewing seams (especially flat to gathered), to grasp the fabric from the back and the front and gently pull it flat to assist the machine to not cause puckers. Never pull hard though, you don’t want break your needle! It was one of the best tips I ever got.
This video is a lifesaver😊 I was making a skirt yesterday and it wouldn’t lie flat, now I know why
Thanks for this video
Off to make my notches now
Always sewing with your most structured on top
Well let's see, notches, interfacing - have to go watch your other tutorials on waste bands. Here i have been sewing for years but for some reason I'm always looking for ways to do waste bands. I am making PJ's for my grandkids and don't have any measurements. I like to add some kind of tie. For one, tells them which is the front and two, keeps their pants on. LOL After the first of the year I am looking forward to joining your sewing class!
possibly a weird thing to say but i'm obsessed with your nails - they always look amazing in your videos. I don't know how you can pick anything up with them but they always LOOK marvellous and the colour is divine! thank you for this video waistbands are my personal hell i hate doing them - here's hoping they'll be a bit less of a nightmare now! Adding the extra notches is something i am going to do RIGHT NOW. also super useful to know about having the structured piece on top. Lifesaver.
Your lessons are invaluable, Evelyn! Thank you for all your advice
Great video, thank you so much! I feel like your videos are so great for both begginers and advanced sewers. I can't understand why commercial patterns have so few notches. I'm a patternmaker at a factory and if I forget the notches the seamstresses always point it out to me so I always make sure I include as many as I see fit.
Yes! I use such different notches than on commercial patterns, I would love to see more on patterns!
Tip of the day! “Always sew with your most structured fabric on top.” Of course! Why didn’t I think of that. It makes total sense.
😀😀 Your most welcome!
I always used put the structured fabric on the bottom because I 'trusted it' not to stretch or skew so I didn't need to keep an eye on it 😂 but now I am going to try some trust exercises haha!
Sewing the waistband lenghtwise is very smart👍
Having a hollow back is murder to having a perfect waistband. I am really struggling with it. Your tip at the end is perfect. Thanks
Apparently, Snow White Lives:))
She does look beautiful!
Love the advice about the notches! I may get brave sometime soon and learn this magical mystery called garment sewing!
I always do that for putting in a sleeve and it really helps the sleeve ease
excellent video and tips! putting the structured or interfaced piece on top works because the feed dogs help ease what is below. also - this blouse is lovely on you
Thank you for explaining everything waistbands . Great job!
Thank you-I have a waist band in my future.
Wow! You are so wonderful. You have explained everything so well and in depth. You're by far the best on TH-cam. Thank you so much. 💓
Great stuff! I add notches all the time, including gathered waists.
Yes! Gina I think they are essential on gathers!
Thanks Evelyn! Can't wait for the next class!
😃😃 Linda it's going to be so good and I'm so excited to share so with everyone in VSS!
HazZah! Thank you Evelyn! I just realized, a couple months ago, that keeping the structured fabric on top while stitching, produced a better seam. I was having issues with the plain fabric bunching up while the interfaced fabric remained neat. Without really thinking about it, I flipped one of the pieces over as I was batch sewing, and the result was flawless! I have been sewing for probably more than 40 years, and this has only just occurred to me. 😂 Maybe I didn’t have much reason to realize it because, with garments I usually sew with the interfaced fabric on top. But it became glaringly obvious when I was working on some sewn accessories that can be sewn either way. Now that you mention it in this video, it’s a total lightbulb moment. 💡 😅
Great help & advice as always Evelyn, thank you so much. Sending you loads of love & healing vibes 💕
Didn't know the most structured piece should be on top. Can't remember which way I usually do it. Now I'll have to make another skirt to find out. Thanks.
Thank-you for another excellent video. This is good timing, as one of my upcoming refashions is going to be turning a pair of linen trousers into a skirt. While there's already a waistband, I have little doubt that -- when I peek inside -- it will show very little structure. I'll now feel considerably more confident about fixing it up.
The last tip is great. Explains a few problems I have had.
Thanks! I never thought about the structure on top. This should help me a lot.
Fabulous video. I love the part about notches. If there was a section about grading and/or clipping the seam, I missed it, but it is so helpful in making those waistbands lie flat, especially trimming off the interfacing within the seam line! I make tons of circle skirts and historical stuff with lots of volume in the skirts, so anything to reduce bulk within a waistband is vital. Looking forward to your “stitch in the ditch” video, since I am usually trying to meet a deadline, but some slowness in that operation will make a much tidier result, not just the inevitable topstitched look!
I am a beginner and recently started to watch your videos for advice. They are so useful but sometimes I struggle with the terminology. English is not my foreign language and I didn’t learned the vocabulary of sewing. It would be so nice to have the possibility to meet other people who sew and get some help from them but all sewing classes are cancelled due to Corona 🥺 well at least I learn new vocabularies… greetings from Germany 🌹
Thank you for another great lesson, very well explained!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you. I was wondering about interfacing. I was wondering the right type for the right fabric.
Class is in session! Pens and pencils out’
😃😃 Maybe I should make this my intro!
@@Evelyn__Wood yes !!!
Great tip about sewing waistband side out. I will try that. I sewed a cuff onto a short sleeve boxy top last night and found I had excess fabric I had to hide in the side seam. I tried not to stretch the stretchy viscose rayon too much but maybe this tip would have helped.
Thank you for this great video! I would love to hear your tips and tricks for sewing and fitting frustrating sleeves, as well!
thanks you for the precious tips!
That tip about how the top layer moves and bunches the most, so put the most stable layer there is good. I think when people do a foldover hem, they want to sew on top, to be sure the position is even... but doing it from the back would make less bunching, I guess. Good to know. I've seen some sad bunchy hems on casual clothes, for sure. Kinda ruins a skirt.
Loooved this one! 🤩 Thanks! I think I am ready to become a student at Vintage sewing school now. See you next week! P.S.: I finally did go to a couple of thriftshops this week (insprired by one of your recent videos). 90 bucks worth of thrifted buttons, trims and patterns 😁
Yaaay! Melissa I'm so excited to have you in VSS and all you will learn! 😃
Now that you have started getting your sewing notions at thrift stores you will never go back! Mom bought me a huge bag of notions at a neighbors estate sale when I was a teenager or close to it. That bag lasted forever. Then when I finally had to go buy new notions I couldn't believe how much they were and what inferior quality. I have enough notions that I will probably won't need to buy anything for the next 10 yrs? hahah I have my notions organized into bias tape, rayon tape, rickrack, vintage zippers,and I do love the old blanket binding. The old stuff is so soft while the new stuff looks and feels like plastic. My hubby and I use many vintage blankets on our bed so I actually use the blanket binding,
@@judyjennings-gunther4022 definitely! I just went into a frenzy at the trims rack. Omg! I found thick handwoven cotton trims (I live in northern Sweden so I think these were meant to lace fur boots), sets of metal uniform buttons, fringe trims, eyes and hooks still in original box, a women's magazine from 1960 including lovely pictures of a celebrity's home and wardrobe. I could go on forever! The bag you got sounds like dream! You are absolutely right about the quality. I refuse to buy new (meaning plastic-y) zippers because I have plenty of 1970s zippers with metal teeth and cotton tape (also thrifted this autumn). I still need a storage system for my trims. Thanks for sharing yours!
@@melissawesterlund4478 It sounds like you really scored with the trims! I have these old clear plastic containers that I got from an old(92 yrs old 25 yrs ago)friend. They look like you could fit a pair of shoes in them. Well they are a great size for bias tapes and trims. You can line them all up and see what you have . I think it is interesting when someone tries to date something by the zipper or hem tape or whatever else. I change that stuff out all the time. I have made several
30's house dresses this summer. I used vintage fabric, patterns, and notions, even finished the edges with pinking shears. No one would know that it was not original, except maybe the great condition it's in.
Wow mind blown ,I had no idea what my problem was lol and now I do! Thanks for teaching this . I'm making a skirt today can't wait to try this and see how much better it turns out 💜❤️🧡I'm so excited
Once an old tailor showed me her own way of doing a perfect, non-bulky waistband: She took a grosgrain ribbon and pinned it around the waist of the person for whom the garment was. Then she pinned the skirt to the ribbon, as you would normally do for fitting. But she didn't remove the ribbon later, but left it as the inner side of the waistband, just sort of covering it with the fashion fabric. She said she didn't hold with the folded-over type of waistband because it was unnecessarily thick and the inside was always too long.
Myself, I have such a short waist that my ribs touch my hipbones if I bend sideways. So I never sew waistbands, but a sort of yoke that lies from my waistline downward.
Thank you so much for the reminder as to how critical measurements are... working in construction, I should have known that. Never saw anyone use a cloth tape on its side, though... so cool!
I have so many Ahhhh moments as i watch you. Thanks for a great video
Thank for sharing Evelyn..grate tips..
Adding knotches is a revelation, how much easier to pin and eliminate those puckers.
Very interesting Evelyn, and so are the comments ! Lots of advice there, thanks for sharing.
Thank you SO much for all this valuable information!!!
Great tips on the interface sewing . Thanks I was having that same problem
Oh that's great! Because I am still stuck with some of my skirts, especially my velvet one, which needs pleating! I had to open them again and just can't seem to get it right! I have prepared the waistband, but I'm wondering have I done a mistake there as well! I certainly didn't think of notches, because I patterned this skirt f another one...in a very crude manor!😂 So I'm certainly looking forward to the new classes!😇🙌
This video comes at perfect time. I’m actually going to a pair of pants from a jumpsuit pattern ( the pants part is everything I want for a pair of coloutte pants
"always have the structured garment piece on top" I think this has come naturally to me for waistbands, but it will be such a help with cuffs, collars etc. Thank you.
Let me know how it works out for you!
Thank you very much, did help a lot.
I was inspired by your op shop finds and I went to my local op shop today and I found a lovely vintage floral bed sheet ❤️❤️❤️ it s queen size so plenty fabric to work with. I can’t wait to make a pretty day dress out of it
We always used Petersham for waistbands, although I looked it up recently and couldn’t find any! Fortunately I have quite a few metres still. As you can tell I started sewing 60 years ago lol
Thank you Evelyn , your tips are so useful. Have you thought about writing a book with all your excellent advice. There is so much to remember and in my advancing years my memory is not what it used to be.
I absolutely LOVE your videos!
Marvelous, thank you Evelyn.
Iam from kerala...thanku soo much❤
Thanks I always learn new stuff from you❤️
Thank you, this is very insightful. I do wonder about how to handle yoga pants style waistbands where they are supposed to stretch and may have more stretch than the rest of the fabric. I'm guessing the stiffer fabric would go on top when sewing? Have you ever worked with the yoga pants style waistbands? My waist and hips are about the same size and I like to wear stretch fabrics and comfortable waistbands that stretch instead of having buttons or zippers.
Thx old man here learning with you thx
Great video, as Always! Do you know if they make Hair Canvas that doesn’t have to be dry cleaned? I like its support but hate to need to dry clean every garment I want to use it in. Thanks! Would love your opinion.
Random, but every time I see you, you remind me of Snow White & this outfit and make-up combo is just perfect!
Also, really informational video, thank you!
I love your top!
I am becoming a fan of my roller foot to help reduce the puckers that my normal foot creates. Not a perfect cure all but does help
Yes, I've just learned about sewing with the least stretchy fabric on top when sewing a jersey collar on a polo shirt for my son 🙈
I love this channel.
Thanks for watching Kelly!
Geesh I need to take the class!!!
Ms Evelyn, thank you so much for the timely information on the best way to sew the waistband in a skirt, your sewing tips are.....so useful ....thanks again from USA Florida, Josefina Mccarty I just subscribed to your channel .....
Thanks for subscribing! I'm glad you found it useful!
i love your channel. its so much USEFUL information. no fuss. thank you ❤
I had no idea that one should sew with the most-structured piece up (and yes, I always wondered why the item would bunch or pucker). Would it help to use a walking foot nearly all the time?
Thank you for another great video! I'm planning to draft a culottes pattern so this bit about waistbands is perfect timing!🙂
Great timing! Have fun making them!
Hi Evelyn, I love your personal style. You are so pretty and you remind me of Snow White.🥰 Just wondering if you sew/make your own hats and scarves? TFS
Evelyn Love your videos as always, when I am sewing waistbands I have mainly done with elastic mainly on tops and skirts, I have made one for a pair or trousers/pants which was a bit difficult but they turned out great.
Well done! I bet you took your time and worked out the kinks!
@@Evelyn__Wood Yes it did but I find using elastic on the waist band is a bit easier to do. Love your Videos as always
Question, when sewing a two piece dress (one with a bodice + skirt), should I attach the waistband to the skirt or bodice first and then attach the other half? Or should I attach the skirt+ bodice and THEN add the waistband?
I would love more info on what to do when the waistband is curved. How do we deal with grain direction in that case? I generally need curved waistbands, as straight ones always create a gap in my back, but then I always have issues with stabilizing them.
Evelyn Wood, I love all your videos! I would love to see a video on how to hem a circle skirt where the hem is curved. I am never able to get a crisp finish, the fabric always gathers at the wrong places and I always end up with mistakes. This is one of my goals for 2021 - learn how to hem curved edges properly. But it is sooo difficult. Pleaaase, make a video about this, I would looove it! :)
Not Evelyn obvs, but a tip I know is not to hem by folding up the fabric (which gets wider the further down it goes) but instead to cut out the bottom couple inches of the skirt again and use that to finish the hem instead. Although I’ve also seen people do amazing things with running a gathering line around an edge to get a neater finish when they bring the fabric up 🤷🏽♀️
I would love to make that top on your dress form! Do you sell your patterns ?
These are super awesome tips!
Thank you!
I love the structure of clothing when using canvases, but don’t they need to be dry cleaned? Can you suggest the most structured material that does Not require dry cleaning?
Could you SHOW how you attach the waistband with the interfacing...?????
Totally off topic comment here, but your top is so pretty and feminine!!! Is it from a favorite pattern or maybe a re- fashion that you do so lovely? Great waist band info also, enjoyed as always, thank you so much!