So you find it difficult to sew a neat curve? Well you are not alone! I get many emails asking my advice on how to get a good curved line of stitching! Like most things, practice makes perfect! The more you do it, the easier it becomes! Sounds simple, don’t you think? Well actually it IS! All you need is your printer, a piece of paper (OK, maybe a dozen? LOL) and your sewing machine!
So you’ve been wondering just how many projects you are going to ‘stuff up’ while you are busy practising?….NONE! There is an easy solution! See this spiral:
It’s pretty nifty, don’t you think? It’s called a Fermat’s Spiral and you start at one of the outside lines and guess where you end up? Back at the outside! You can download my PDF version here and print it out on a piece of paper.
Next remove your threads from your sewing machine and pop your spiral underneath your foot. That’s your sewing machine foot, not YOUR foot! Did I need to point that out to you? I am sure you have seen some of those strange foreign instructions stating the seemingly obvious? The other day I bought a potted herb and the instructions clearly stated that I should eat the leaves and not the potting mix! Heck….I was SOOOO disapointed! There I was thinking I had an easy meal in a pot for hubby! LOLLL…..
Anyway….back to your piece of paper and your sewing machine foot……
Simple sew around this spiral…..take your TIME here, especially in the beginning!….You don’t need to try and break any speed records….Afterall, you aren’t racing around a track in a seedway car! Repeat this exersice until you are able to stay on the lines!
So….how did you go? Did it get easier by the time you got to your 12th piece of paper? LOLLLL
Happy Sewing!
Cheers,
Christine:
This if funny, reminds me back when I was learning to sew, then trying to teach my grands to sew.
I started them on straight lines, then curves; just how my teachers taught me.
This must be a world wide learning practice? (haha)
Well I guess why change that which works? LOLL
LOLLLL I’m going to try this, it sounds like fun. I’m not a patient person though so it has to come out right first time.
….and knowing YOU, it will! LOLLL
nice blog
Thank you!
Fabulous idea!!!
It actually really DOES help to practice on these curves!!
Margie
Stitching Curves – Practice Makes Perfect! – ChrisW Designs
Yes but once I get good at the curves on the paper, then what? If you took away the lines I would be lost. 🙂
LOL….Usually you don’t sew lines like those that are on the paper…you sew around a curved seam for example and then you can use your presser foot as a guide to distance from the edge rather than stitching on an actual line BUT sewing the actual curve will be much easier for you after practicing and getting the feel for travelling in a curve….if you know what I mean! LOLLL
This was one of our first lessons in grade 6 home economics class. As well, we were given a 2nd sheet of paper with a square spiral to learn not only straight lines, but corners too. It’s a great way to teach your children who may be interested in seeing.
Thanks for stopping by Chriissie! 🙂
Thanks Chris I am going to give this a red hot crack! Legend!
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LOL thanks Cathy…have FUN!!