Cutting

To cut out pattern pieces it is important to have a sharp pair of scissors and a steady hand. Before starting the cutting process it may be necessary to iron the fabric before hand to ensure it is straight, without any creases or bumps that could affect the pattern shape once cut out. Pin pattern pieces onto the fabric using a large clean table, cutting in clean and long strokes to get the neatest finish, cutting out all notches and transferring markings onto the fabric. For delicate fabrics, such as silk, they may be difficult to control which would require fixing the fabric to a surface or applying additional weight to ensure a straight and tidy line is cut precisely. It is important to take you time and pay during this process as you cannot reattach any fabric that has been mistakenly cut off.

HOW TO CUT CHECK AND STRIPED FABRICS

To be able to produce a professional looking garment it is essential that the checks and stripes are in line at the shoulder, underarm and side seam, centre front and centre back. To achieve this extra fabric must be allowed.

• Ensure that the fabric is folded correctly so that all lines are exactly in position one over the other.
• Place the pieces to be laid against the fold next to each other and line up accordingly.
• Place the centre and hem lines of the sections to be joined precisely lining up the checks or stripes.

Cutting out

• Check that all the required pieces have been pinned into position and there is enough space for pieces that have to be duplicated and for crossway stripes if necessary.
• Cut with long even strokes along the edge of a perforated pattern. DO NOT lift the fabric up from the table whilst pattern cutting.
• Cut the notches outwards from the pattern. DO NOT cut beyond the seam allowance.
• When cutting out the lining use the correct line marked by folding the surplus area of the paper pattern.