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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Do you rotary cut? Pattern Review B4789

I'm wondering how many people cut out their fabric/patterns with a rotary cutter? I've been sewing for so many years that until recently it had never occurred to me to cut an entire garment out with a rotary cutter. I recently bought the 36x59 rotary cutting mat for my cutting table. I've cut bias strips with my rotary cutter as well as quilting fabric but never a garment. While I did cut the top with the scissors, I cut the slacks for B4789 with a rotary cutter and frankly I really liked it. Of course I was holding my breath and biting my lip the entire time. Not too far in the back of my mind I was making mental notes on where the bandaids and gauze were in case of a slip.


Pattern Description:
Maggie London Dress, Pants, Top -- This review is of the top and the pants
Pattern Sizing:
8-22
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes I think it looks like the pattern envelope photo excepts that my pants seem to be a lot bigger.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes the instructions were easy to follow and follow you must. If you have not made one of the twist tops before it's hard to get your head around the idea of how it will go together. I decided to follow the instructions and not try to understand them. It worked like a charm but reminded me of orgami. It was also fun sewing the top on this machine. My goal is to sew all of my garment on this machine for the next month or so. Of course if I have to make buttonholes or do any kind of zigzag stitching, all bets are off. This baby only does one thing...sew straight ahead! While it doesn't offer anything fancy, this machine will probably outlast all my others. I didn't need the instructions for the pants...they were a no-brainer.
I didn't sew the pants on it because it was stretching the fabric a little and I didn't want my side seams wavy!
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the idea of the twist top that was not cut on the bias like so many other twist top patterns. Also make sure you get the amount of fabric the pattern calls for. I had absolutely not fabric left lengthwise!
The only thing I didn't like is how big the pants came out. In the photo you can see that they look pretty big. I think I will take the side seam in about an inch in the hip area. On the pattern photo the pants do not look as loose as mine are.
Fabric Used:
I used Matte Jersey for the top and Slinky for the pants. I adsolutely sewing with and wearing Slinky. I think this is my first experience with Matte Jersey and didn't have any problems with it.Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:I didn't make any alterations on the top but because I have a wide back and usually have to make an adjustment for it so I omitted the back darts. For the pants I shorted the front crotch about 2" and shortened the back 2" but only toward the side seam so that it would match the fronts. I left the center back it's original length to accommodate the "junk in my trunk!" I also lengthened the legs an inch. The pants appear to be dragging the ground but that is only because I didn't have the elastic tight enough and they were falling down.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I'll certainly sew it again. Right now I am planning to make the dress version. I'd recommend it to others as it is fast and easy and very cute!

7 comments:

  1. Nice top! I ONLY use my rotary!!! I'm about to get a cutting mat to cover my dining room table so I won't have to cut on the floor lol. There isn't enough room in my studio for another table so I'm going to do that instead.

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  2. Your top is divine! Very, very nice. I've used a rotary cutter since they were first introduced. I am more accurate with them than scissors. Be careful though, if you are not used to using a cutter.

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  3. When they first came out I purchased two and I've never really used them only because I don't have the right cutting mat (DUH)I'm sure I'll use them one day.

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  4. I like the fabric of the top and the idea of a twist, cute! And I have sliced the web near my thumb using a rotary and it was over after that incident. Also some child of mine took it apart.

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  5. That top is gorgeous!I love that fabric print, where did you get it? I also only cut my fabric and patterns with my rotary cutter, I'm able to cut much faster. I have a small one to cut paper/patterns, and my larger one for fabrics only!

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  6. Mz.Choize I got the fabric at a JoAnn's in Mansfield,Ohio last week while I was visiting my sister. It was in the clearance section for $8. I only need one yard and an 8th so it cost only $9. I love it and it is so comfortable.

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  7. I like you have only used scissors since the 70's, I purchased a roatery cutter a few years ago and had been using it for small bias cuts and little projects. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get a larger mat to cover my cutting table and try using it for all my cutting, it's growing on me little by little.

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