Do you skip stay stitching??😅 Or are you going to do it all the time now? If you like this video, you'll love what I have at Vintage Sewing School...come join me and up-level your sewing! www.vintagesewingschool.com/
Evelyn Wood no I don’t, not anymore but I love the level up step, I hate removing it , so I don’t I just leave it in a cut it when I notch the curves. But now I’m going to try this new technique!
I’m making my daughter a raglan t-shirt. I put in the stretch collar and it was terrible because it wasn’t even. When I took the collar off, the neck was all stretched out. I’ve been delaying the redo. (I washed it to help reshape the neck.) Yesterday I admitted to my sewing friend that I had put off finishing the shirt because of the collar. She suggested I stay-stitch. I slapped my forehead because it was so obvious. Later I saw your video. I wondered if it was necessary for knits. Yes, it is.
When I first started sewing, I was always frustrated that my neckline facings and collars never matched my neckline. Then I decided to not skip a single step in the instructions-including the stay stitching-and suddenly everything matched up beautifully. 😆
Same here. I would then steam the fabric to get it to shrink up a bit. My mom saw me doing this and mentioned the stay stitching prevents the neckline from stretching.😋 Lesson learned.
Yesterday I bought my fabric for my first sewing project in 36 years. I've watched your videos to learn what I never knew. Tomorrow I'm to wash and iron the fabric and hopefully transfer the pattern from the tissue paper to a heavier one. Stay stitching is something I never knew about. I probably would have skipped it if not for this video. Thank you for the time you put into them.
I failed 8th grade home economics (never finished a project) because I resented that it was required for girls. Later, necessity forced me to teach myself to sew occasionally, but I was never satisfied with my work. Now, at the tender age of 65, I've decided to have another go. You're a marvelous teacher, very charming and fun to watch!
I tried to skip stay-stitching once on a nightgown when I was a teen and my Mom SCREAMED at me like I'd just tried to stick my finger in a power outlet, then pretty much did what you did in the video with the two examples. I haven't skipped it since then.
dang i don’t think that was necessary lmao, i’m sorry you got screamed at 😢 but thank you for this illustrious comment, i think i will remember it too.
I can truly appreciate this video. I am breaking into my first vintage pattern and I read the definition of stay stitching and I was like “my heart wants me to skip this step, but my mind is telling me to search RU-vid for why this is necessary “ then you popped up like the sewing fairy godmother I never knew I needed 💝
Thank you for including the examples with and without stay stitching. I was just sitting there thinking I was having a hard time visualizing how the stay stitching helped when sure enough there you were with the demonstration! Much appreciated.
Evelyn, I’m so thrilled I found you. What a fabulous uncomplicated teacher you are. I’m 74 and have dabbled with sew all my life. But normally craft. I did a bit of patchwork etc etc. but I’m absolutely green when it comes to dress making. And actually, using my machine to its full potential. I want to start making tops for myself as I struggle to buy tops that fit. I have to alter everything , and I’m not great at that. So I’m going through your videos one after the other and sooo enjoying them. I am learning so much. I shall shall watch each one several times before attempting to make a top because as you get older you don’t remember as well as you used to. Thankyou for everything and for being there. Xxx
I have been a stay-stitcher from the very beginning, and a directional stay-stitcher at that. I didn’t know much when I started, just the few things my busy mother suggested. Therefore, I did what the pattern told me to do; I figured there was a reason the instructions were there. I also looked everything up in my mother’s Singer sewing book. I still refer to it from time to time. To this day, I love reading through instructions, even if I decide to go a different route than suggested by the directions. There is always something new and improving to learn! Thank you, Evelyn, for you cheerful, instructional video!
I am a new sewer. I’m now working on my first project. A pair of flannel pajama pants for my boyfriend. I have watched many videos and taken notes so that I can do a good job. I enjoy the knowledge that I get from watching your videos especially as I like how you explain things fully. You’re a good teacher. Thank you 🙏🏻
I’m on a marathon rewatching all of your videos over the holidays! This one in particular hits close to home. In earlier years I skipped this step. My thought process was easy. Why stitch now when I’m going to be stitching it in a few minutes with the facing? No need to do this extra step, Nancy! My collars never fit just right nor the facings or bands, but I finagled the fabric until it sort of fit😬. Now in my 70’s and all of these marvelous teaching videos available, I call myself a real seamstress. I am so appreciative for all of you that give so freely to teach the world to sew and enjoy the journey. My prayers lift you up daily, Evelyn.❤️
I'm a stay stitcher. I remember a classmate had a problem with not doing it and our teacher had her dampen the bodice and press it back into shape. She was lucky it was a checked fabric as she could see whether the warp and weft were straight without using a ruler. It took her two dampening and pressing sessions before she was good to go again. This was the same class where I learned the difference between pressing and ironing, and my teacher saying "If you're going to wear it, then you PRESS it".
Top to bottom, wide to narrow, what you do to one side you do to the other. Reminders on my chest sheet above a sewing machine. I always stay stitch, just inside the seam allowance. I think it takes a little pressure off of the finished seam. You said it quickly but I think one of the most important messages you gave in this video is to follow the contour of the fabric and not force the fabric in a straight line which could be added to your list of sewing habits to avoid.
I never did stay stitching unless the pattern said so in the instructions, which was not often. Now i will be doing thing this every time I sew those challenging curves. Thanks for the valued info. God bless
Stay stitching is like hand basting. I skipped it when I first began sewing, but now I would never skip the step. A few extra minutes produces a much better finished garment.
Yes, I stay stitch when I saw how fabric behaved. Sigh. We learn from mistakes. Question. When you discussed basting vs stay stitching you mention stay stitching is temporary. Basting is temporary but did not know that stay stitching was as well. I just left it in. Learned something new.
I was today years old when I learned about stay stitching from Evelyn Wood. I find the idea quite exciting and will probably remember it because its so cool.
Thank you Evelyn! I used to look for 20 sec videos and get frustrated for not getting the results I wanted. But you explain things so clearly that I stay for the whole video and find myself learning so much. Thank you. I have improved my understanding so so much. I also love your style and personality. Wishing you all the love and support in your cancer journey, you got this and thank you❤️❤️
I’ve never worked off commercial patterns, so no instructions. Made my own, but I didn’t know staystitching was a thing. Now I know why things went wrong. I’ll add that to the other list of steps I shouldn’t skip. I found out the hard way that pins don’t replace the good old fashioned basting stitch (I knew this one because it was taught to me) before heading to the machine.
This couldn't have come at a better time. I never stay-stitched before, but now I'm working with a very shifty brocade and didn't know how to handle it. I think this will help. Thank you!
THANK YOU EVELYN! 💕 You motivated me to start sewing again. You have also alleviated my fears of making mistakes and trying new things. I think you are a kind, generous and overall wonderful person. 🌹
I do stay stitch, what I did not know was the stitch length, thank you for another great sewing tutorial, you never learn enough when it comes to sewing, thank you 🙏 “⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”.
How timely! I just stay-stitched my first garment yesterday and I couldn't fathom what it was for. I also had to do some understitching for the pockets and used your video.
This reminds me of when historical costumers (Bernadette Banner in particular) will thread mark (I think) their sewing lines with a quick running/basting stitch.... I think it''s before they cut the fabric? I know one reason for this is for visibility and to keep the lines as chalk wears off easily, and it allows the line to be visible on both sides of the fabric, but looking at this I wonder if this also served as a form of stay stitching. On that note, I wonder of stay stitching would be more effective, if more cumbersome, to do before cutting, or at least before cutting fabric right next to where the stay stitching is needed most, like the neck hole.
Good question! I think if your doing it by hand like you suggest, then yes, it may be easier and more beneficial to before cutting. Particularly if your using patterns without seam allowance on them, as your stay stitch would serve as your stitchline guide for sewing and cutting seam allowances!
@@Evelyn__Wood Great idea..I'm sewing by hand and I'm thinking it would be more convenient to stay stitch before cutting. This is my first time sewing a blouse so I was watching your video about mistakes with facings coz I realized I don't know how to attach them! That's where I learned the existence of stay stiching.
Thank you so much! I am a beginner and doing my first blouse, and the book tells me to do stay stitching first and the colar and sleeves opening, and I was like "what the hell is stay stitching?" So you video came just at the right time and helped me sooooo much. I love how you explain things it is always so easy to understand ^_^ Thanks a lot again.
Thank you! I have been sewing for over 40 years (mainly self-taught), but I never knew to remove the stay stitching or how far to stitch from the edge, and it made it difficult to grades the seams of bulky fabrics. Recently I made a coat for my great niece, and I was wondering just why I needed to stay stitch. I always did it, but I would stitch about quarter inch away from the fabric and I never removed the stitches. You are a wonder :)
Thanks a lot for another really useful video. I have a request - should you be interested in this topic! - for a refashioning video: how to reline a vintage coat and add an underarm gusset. (It's a selfish ask: I have a 1940s A-line corduroy ladies' coat that's too snug at the arm opening; the lining seems to be smaller than the coat sleeve itself. And the hem puckers in slightly odd ways, as if tugged upward from inside, which I assume is a related problem.) Anyway, thanks again for your videos. I only just started sewing and I find your content both super useful and demystifying/encouraging. So: with gratitude.
This is great! I've never quite understood why patterns make me stay stitch 😅 AND my sewing machine always "gets wild" when I try to stay stitch, so I can't wait to try your techniques on my next project! Thanks for making this video 😊
After 16 years I have begun sewing garments again and yes I am now older ,wiser, less impatient, more time available to me and have taken to stay stitching realising its value . Thanks for the class, I have subscribed .
Used to staystitch, but not so much the unde stitching, now I understand why both are necessary.... again absolutely great demo / videos on these subjects
Thank u so much. As a mostly self taught sewer, I have been sewing for 20+ years. But i would consider myself an experienced beginner...trial & error has taught me much, but I'm so glad i found your channel!! I've never stay stitched anything, except maybe my bridesmaids' dresses. That was from fear!! They turned out really well but still didn't learn! 😁 Now I'm copying a dress I own (drafting a pattern) & it's slippery fabric... All the don't's at once! So, about to gather.. Will stay stitch the skirt first.. You make this all make sense!!!❤️
Great video. I have learned so much from you, thank you! I have never skipped that step, but never understood it and I would always wonder if I was supposed to take it out or not. I don't recall the patterns telling me, "Now remove the stay stitching." I did remove it sometimes when it seemed to show through...but since it was called stay stitching...I assumed it was supposed to stay. LOL
Omg!!! I’ve been so baffled by this… 😣 I honestly was getting infuriated why there was always a ‘mistake in the pattern’ because it didn’t tell me when it was time to undo the stay stitching… 😅😅 since watching this video a year ago, I have always stay stitched because it made so much sense to hold things in place while sewing. Then I’ve always just picked a good time when I thought that I no longer needed it holding things together and removed it!! 😋 but now that I finally revisited this video and re-read the instructions on the patterns (1.5cm seam allowance and stay stitch at 13mm from raw edge), I totally now get that the stay stitching is supposed to stay in for added support ☺️👍 I feel like whenever I’m struggling with anything, I just watch your videos (even if I have your channel just playing in the background) and everything just falls into place like your guiding me with you angelic goddess magic. 💗🥰
Got my machine when I was 12 (1969). One summer of lessons at Sears, and I quit. A month ago, I was given a machine. I fell in love with it (vintage 50s machine). You could use my first efforts as examples of how to go wrong. I’m improving with each garment (5 this month) and I intend to follow you as I mature.
Your video came up on the list when I searched for what is, and how to, stay stitch. I loved your uncomplicated way of instructing, and the comparison using and not using stay stitching. I used to sew many years ago, but always cut out anything that didn't seem necessary, so my garments always seemed cheap and I didn't wear them much. Now, being older, I want to do things well and not hurry just to finish them. I subscribed and am looking forward to learning so much more from you. Thanks for making these videos!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've been sewing for years but these little hints are so applicable to some of the problems I've encountered that have ended up with disappointing finished garments. Your other video on understitching was also worth its weight in gold. I've never bothered to staystitch even though the pattern said to but now I'm a convert. Same with understitching. Thanks so much for your help.
Im really glad I found this channel. I don’t do much garment sewing yet but these techniques will still be helpful for sewing handbags and other projects.
Thank you for this really helpful video Evelyn. I am about to sew the bodice for only my second dress and decided to stay stitch in keeping with the instructions. Watching your video means that I actually know what I’m doing 🤷♀️
I'm very much an experienced novice at sewing lol (i.e. I have seen a lot but not used patterns and done my share of mending.) Recently I picked up a robe pattern thinking it wouldn't be too hard and step one was to stay stitch. It looked like they sewed the front and back neckline together and I sat puzzling at it for a good 30 minutes not understanding it at all. This video helped clarify why and how to stay stitch! Thank you!
Hi, thank you for the tutorial and excellent demonstration of what a difference stay stitching makes! I am enjoying your page and your tutorials as I get back into sewing.
Thanks SO MUCH! I love your personality and cheerfulness, and your great teaching method (concise AND thorough!). I'm at the end of my first major project, a cotton shift, and the pattern (c. 1960s?) just says "clip bodice neck edge to stay-stitching". Wish I'd known what stay-stitching was before I dragged this project around on car trips and in my backpack for the last two months. . . . Big thank you for probably saving me from the shame of messing it all up at the very last step. . . . Now I just have to figure out what they meant by "clip". . . . ??? Loving your channel!!
OH MAN, I just figured out the "clip" part! It doesn't mean "clip bodice neck edge to" as in "fasten it to," it means "snip the little V-shapes down towards" the stay-stitching! Thank the Lord!
Great help. My Grade 8 Home Economics teacher didn't explain why it's important. I want to learn the proper way to sew, so thank you for this and all your other videos.
Evelyn I really appreciate your teaching style! I'm checking out the Vintage Sewing School. More than 30 years ago when I was a teenager I started sewing in Home Ec class. The few things I made didn't turn out as I imagined, and it seemed hopeless to follow pattern instructions without a lot of help. Later in my 30's I was paying to get a lot of clothes altered to look better on me because I'm petite. When the seamstress was busy and hired assistants, they did a couple of botched jobs, including putting a dip in the hip of a pair of pants where there should have been a curve! I was so peeved I started looking at all the alterations on my clothes and realizing I could do that myself, so I got my sewing machine. It's been used for nothing but alterations for years, until recently I found a kit to make a Kimono and became fascinated with how garments are put together. However, I find the majority of sewing tutorials on RU-vid hard to follow. You explain the techniques so they make sense and I appreciate your perspective on how it is normal to struggle at fist when learning and make mistakes along the way.
Thank you so much for those tip. It motivates me to learn more and in trying to make my own clothes which i have been trying for a long time but failed. I am glad I came across your channel.
Just yesterday I was sewing a 3/4 circle skirt with a yoke. I'm large, the skirt was heavy and I was SO glad that I remembered to stay stitch that skirt 😅
I posted this on two other of your episodes but I wanted to add it here because I think it is SUCH a Smart Tip for dealing with "Bias Cut" fabric or Making something "On the Bias" as it were but it ALSO deals with ""Stay Stitching" to hold your fabric from stretching, unraveling and/or puckering?! :D I am going to impart a "Sewing Tip" for dealing with "Bias Cut Fabric". Many years ago when I was making my VERY FIRST "Bias Cut Plaide Doublet" for my "Lord Shane O'Neill" costume for the Bristol Ren Faire here in Wisconsin. My FIRST Attempt was DISASTROUS, which ended up with me going BACK to the fabric store to get MORE Plaide and THANKFULLY they had JUST ENOUGH left of the pattern I wanted to use! While at the fabric store... I asked the lady at the cutting counter HOW I could avoid my fabric "Puckering" when I'm sewing it! JUST then, this sweet older lady walked up and said, "I couldn't help overhearing what you were asking her? I've been sewing a LONG TIME and I have a VERY easy solution for you!" Here is what she told me.... Iron out the fabric FIRST! THEN Using HEAVY DUTY/THICK "Fusible Interfacing" and cut EVERY Piece of the Doublet out ON the Interfacing FIRST! THEN, Place it onto the fabric on the "WRONG SIDE" and make SURE it is in the EXACT/PROPER PLACE You want/need it to be with the angle of the Pattern, and PIN IT IN PLACE! {She also said to do EACH PIECE Separately to make SURE You are working on ONE PART at a time to avoid Confusion!} THEN making SURE that the Interfacing is on the "WRONG SIDE" of the fabric, Iron it down onto the fabric! Again doing this for EVERY SEPARATE PIECE! THEN, "STAY STITCH" the edges of EVERY PIECE! THIS will ENSURE that it won't EVER "SLIP" Or "PUCKER"! I actually WROTE this all down AS she was telling me and I STILL have that little "Sewing Note Book" to this VERY DAY! :D So That is MY "TIP" for you all! I hope it helps someone? Joe
i adore your personality. you're so jolly and instantly snap me out of bad moods! Just about to tackle my first ever pair of trousers with a classic waistband. i detest waistbands they always seem to come up short. and i suspect this is likely down to not knowing i have to staystitch. so. thanks for this i'm making sure i include this step!
I always skipped stay stitching (I understood what it was but naively thought it was only 'delicate' fabrics you need to do it for) but never again after watching this!
I, too, never staystiched although I remember being taught sewing in Grade 8 and 9 and having to staystich back then but I have seen the error of my ways and will now be staystitching.. Thank you.
I just watched Daryl Landcaster of Threads Magazine's video on stay stitching. Her rules are widest to narrowest, highest to lowest. In a neckline for example she stitches from the shoulder to the lowest part of the neckline and stops. She then repeats it on the other shoulder to the lowest part of the neckline. Shoulder seams are from the neckline to the armhole with a jog for any darts that you may have marked. She said if you're unsure take your finger and apply as much pressure as the presser foot and run it along the stay stitching line. If the fabric stays flat that is the direction you should stitch. If the fabric distorts or skews you're going in the wrong direction.
I love your videos! They are equally informative and uplifting. You always leave me feeling like I can learn to sew anything with practice. I dream of being able to tailor clothes and construct my own patterns. I've been practicing on my daughter because baby clothes are simple and I can make her an entire outfit with scrap fabric. (Plus if something turns out poorly, she'll outgrow it in a couple months anyway!) It's been a struggle to make peace with my post-baby body, especially when my old clothes no longer fit, and I can't exactly go to a store to try things on during the pandemic. Watching your tutorials inspires me to get some project pieces and build myself a new wardrobe to help me feel beautiful in my new body. I just want you to know how your videos bring me joy in a difficult time. :)
