3 piece suit source?

[Mikilt]

Have someone else do it!

(Sorry, it's my day off and I just can't resist a straight line when it presents itself.)

[sydnie7]

[snip]What's the secret to getting smooth curves on the sporran cutaway?

You can find common household objects (large mixing bowls, etc.) to trace around for smooth, even curves. One challenge in some conversions is the placement of the bottom button -- your "perfect" cutaway may bisect the buttonhole or leave it too close to the remaining edge, forcing you to alter your desired curve in order to either exclude the buttonhole or include it with enough margin to look good.

[This isn't a complete step-by-step, just discussing the curve. There are several step-by-step threads in older posts.]

Use contrasting thread to baste by hand along your traced line (so your marking will stay visible long after the chalk line has disappeared). Then fold and baste through both layers, close to the edge, with your marking thread exactly on the edge of the fold.

Some people do the final stitching now and then press, I prefer to press now and then do final stitching. Either way, be prepared to fiddle with it a bit -- you won't get it 100% right the first time!

[Mikilt]

Thanks Sydnie,
I already have nice, round cuts that avoid the button hole. I am struggling with folding down the edges such that the smoothness of the curve is maintained. Folding and ironing an inch at a time, then pinning so I can check for accuracy has gotten me close, but as you said, I am not going to get it right the first time.

I want to invent a tiny iron for detailed jobs like this.

[sydnie7]

Thanks Sydnie,
[snip]

I want to invent a tiny iron for detailed jobs like this.

Already done: Link although you do have to be very careful of the unprotected, hot tip! Kind of like pressing with a soldering iron

Have you tried a small running stitch on the underside of the fabric (the part that folds under) so you can pull up and "gather" the excess material? Then once you have it to your liking, snip little triangular bits of material from the underside -- in essence, cut away the gathered material that is sticking up so what's left can lie flat (formally called "clipping").

Hope this helps and that I'm not being too remedial for your level.

[piperdbh]

How much seam allowance are you leaving? Anything over a half-inch is probably too much, and will get in the way of your folding and pressing.

[Mikilt]

Have you tried a small running stitch on the underside of the fabric (the part that folds under) so you can pull up and "gather" the excess material? Then once you have it to your liking, snip little triangular bits of material from the underside -- in essence, cut away the gathered material that is sticking up so what's left can lie flat (formally called "clipping").

Hope this helps and that I'm not being too remedial for your level.

This may be the technique for which I've been searching. I am going to practice on so scrap material and let you know how it goes.

[Mikilt]

How much seam allowance are you leaving? Anything over a half-inch is probably too much, and will get in the way of your folding and pressing.

I do have a half inch seam allowance. I cut everything a half inch longer than I want the finished product. When it comes to the sporran cutaway, are you saying that I might want less than a half inch?

[auld argonian]

David Dalglish posted a photo step-by-step a while back (okay...a LONG while back and I'm not sure if it's still accessible) that was excellent. He used bias tape (?) to attach the rought edge up into the jacket body and then sewed the lining back...it was very cool.

Getting that arc just right is tricky...you have to look at other jackets and I think that you have to pin it and have a look at how it hangs on you. The matter of that last buttonhole is weird, too...if it's too close to the edge of the jacket when the arc is done, it just don't look right to me.

Let's see if we can find that old post...

Best

AA

[auld argonian]

Et voila!

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...g-curve-22201/

Best

AA

[Thomas H]

You found one ,Cool I have been looking for you one ,but nothing I seen would have worked as they were more Urben .....
But I am happy you found a set.