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Sewing Tips – ‘Cut on the Fold’ and ‘Fabric Grain’

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Here are some more basic tips for all of you out there who may cringe at sewing terminology.
But no more. No need to be scared of weird sewing words. Hang in there.

 

So, have you ever read any sewing instructions that tell you to ‘cut on the fold’? That might seem strange and a bit tricky. I have had several people email me, unsure of this technique…….so don’t worry if you don’t know either.

 

I have scribbled out a real generic pattern piece that says on one side, “cut on fold”. So you’ll have to fold your fabric in half, and line up that edge of the pattern piece along the fold. Then cut around that pattern piece, except for the side that’s on the fold.

 

Once you open up your piece of fabric, you’ll have a piece that’s twice as big as the original pattern piece. Make sense?

Easy, easy.

 

Now, did you know that fabric has a grain? Not a whole wheat grain that you should be eating more of….. But a grain line in your fabric. Well, not all fabrics do……but today we’re looking at cotton and cotton definitely does. When they make cotton, they weave it together with different strands of cotton……and blah, blah, blah. We don’t need to go into that. But, you need to take an upclose look at your fabric to see that there are lines in it. There are lines going horizontally and vertically. See them?

 

And when a pattern piece has an arrow going through it, you’ll need to make sure that the arrow is running parallel to a set of the grain lines………

 

……not diagonally, like below. Yes, the pattern piece is lined up with the edge of the fabric, but the arrow isn’t running even with the grain lines. Do you see that?

 

If you make sure and cut with the grain, your fabric will lay flatter, hold up better, and will be stronger.

 

Hope that helps.
More tips to come in the weeks to come.

 

 

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Comments

  1. Fantastic! Thanks for the tips. I am in the process of discovering my sewing machine and I'm loving it, but it's so nice to have some help figuring things out!

  2. Thanks for sharing these! I knew the part about cutting on the fold, but not the one about cutting on the grain.

  3. Thank you for explaining the cut on the fold thing, I needed that info!
    Can't wait for your next installment!

    P.S. what kind of sewing machine do you reccommend?

  5. I think it's also very important to mention that if you do cut off grain…the square that you do want will be a diamond shape at the end :) I replaced a fabric cutter that didn't know about the grain for a wedding company, can you just picture the mess??

    Thanks for the tips!!

  6. I just have say YOU ARE THE BEST!!! I don't know you but I wish I did :) Thanks for sharing all of your ideas and the EASY to follow steps. I've been wanting start sewing but was so overwhelmed by patterns and not knowing anything. You've helped me get started and I've loved your toutorials! I've made the cinch bag, kids neck pillow, crayon roll, and I can't wait to try more! THANK YOU!!!!!!

  8. I'm new to your blog and somewhat new to sewing, so I really appreciate your sewing tips here. I'm sure they'll save me some head aches in the future.

  11. Thanks for these tips. I like that they are the basics and not tips on how to do the "double sow cow" of sewing. Just my speed.

  12. As someone who is new to sewing, the tip about cutting on the grain is awesome! I would have probably lined the edge of the pattern piece up with the edge of the fabric instead. Thank you so much!

  13. This is wonderful! I know so many people who are getting started in sewing right now. I'll be linking.

  14. Thanks for these tips–I have many friends who are just starting sewing & will send them here. Good info!

  15. REally great with all the tips. Thank you. I'm new to sewing and have another native language, so nice to understand the english terms too.

  18. Please do information on straightening the grain of fabric. I have been sewing for years,but am having trouble with straightening the grain of fabric now. Is there an easy way to do this?
    Your information is very useful.
    Thanks