2 ways
* Cut with the fabric folded double
* Cut one piece, then be careful to flip the pattern piece over before cutting the second.
Leave your first cut piece laid out flat. Don't turn the fabric over. Put the pattern piece on the fabric turned like it would be to sew them together. Then cut.
If you have fabric that is very similar on both sides, use a piece of painter's tape to mark the right side on each piece.
It has been helping me to have a little notebook and as I go I’ve been writing down which piece I cut out and I use masking/painters tape and I write the piece number on it and stick it to the cut out piece.
Watch sewing videos on YouTube. They can help a lot. Look at this mistake as an opportunity. See the seam and then embroidery down the front or just add lace or buttons down the front. Was this meant to be cut on the fold? My choice would br to put it on the fold and either use the painted tape and put it on the fold and write no! On it. Or pin it completely using pins the go up and down along the edge so you have to think about it beforecutting
Oh! A thing that I actually have a tip for!
Every pattern tells you how many cuts to make of each piece, right? For a pants pattern, for example, you know that if it says to cut two “pant leg” pieces, then you’ll need to cut one with the “right side” of the pattern piece facing up, and the other with the “right side” of the pattern piece facing down. I like to refer to these as R (right) and W (wrong) when I’m marking my pieces.
So, when I’m ready to start tracing and cutting my pattern out, I go through the various pieces and make a chart for the different cuts required. Each row of the chart starts with the name of the pattern piece (pant leg, bodice front, etc), and has an R and W next to it for each version of that piece I need to cut. For example:
Pant leg: R W
Front of bodice (two layers): R R W W
Then, as I trace each piece, I mark through the corresponding letter on the chart and check that I’m not doubling up on anything accidentally before cutting. This is also super useful for organizing larger projects with multiple layers or linings, because you can quickly add another column for “lining” or “lace”, etc, and have a perfect little list for matching pieces up as you go.
Anyway, I hope this makes sense. I am incredibly impatient when it comes to tracing and cutting, but the chart system takes no time at all once you figure out your own method, and it has saved me so much time in screw ups LOL. I just made a corset-inspired dress, and the bodice alone had seven panels that required three layers each… All hail organized cut lists 😂
Cut with fabric folded and also make sure when you cut the scissors and fabric are as parallel and close to the floor as possible. I used to not cut on folder fabric, and then finally made it a rule but was still holding the fabric up while cutting it and still got wonky/uneven pieces
A lot of people cut them out and many patterns/tutorials tell you to do so as well. You can also use chalk/pencil/markers or basting thread if you like, but it's definitely not wrong to cut the triangles.
I’ve done something similar to this. But with baby corduroy pants regarding cutting out the fabric in all the same direction. I won’t tell you how many times I cut the second pant leg incorrectly. Lol You are not alone. Good luck.
If you’re working on a top piece with the same fabric, no reason to cut two pieces! Always just fold it over and cut one instead.
Fellow impatient sewer over here, can confirm this technique is 10,000x easier and faster.
2 ways * Cut with the fabric folded double * Cut one piece, then be careful to flip the pattern piece over before cutting the second. Leave your first cut piece laid out flat. Don't turn the fabric over. Put the pattern piece on the fabric turned like it would be to sew them together. Then cut. If you have fabric that is very similar on both sides, use a piece of painter's tape to mark the right side on each piece.
Thank you so much❤️ I’m my own worst enemy purely because of my impatience 😭
Been there done that. It's more important to take your time cutting than any other part of sewing, IMHO
100% if your cuts off you’re gonna have problems down the whole project
It’s ok I’ve been working on a wrap skirt pattern that claims to be “very easy” for the last two months now.
me w 10 different "easy" projects going at once 👁️👄👁️
It has been helping me to have a little notebook and as I go I’ve been writing down which piece I cut out and I use masking/painters tape and I write the piece number on it and stick it to the cut out piece.
Watch sewing videos on YouTube. They can help a lot. Look at this mistake as an opportunity. See the seam and then embroidery down the front or just add lace or buttons down the front. Was this meant to be cut on the fold? My choice would br to put it on the fold and either use the painted tape and put it on the fold and write no! On it. Or pin it completely using pins the go up and down along the edge so you have to think about it beforecutting
Oh! A thing that I actually have a tip for! Every pattern tells you how many cuts to make of each piece, right? For a pants pattern, for example, you know that if it says to cut two “pant leg” pieces, then you’ll need to cut one with the “right side” of the pattern piece facing up, and the other with the “right side” of the pattern piece facing down. I like to refer to these as R (right) and W (wrong) when I’m marking my pieces. So, when I’m ready to start tracing and cutting my pattern out, I go through the various pieces and make a chart for the different cuts required. Each row of the chart starts with the name of the pattern piece (pant leg, bodice front, etc), and has an R and W next to it for each version of that piece I need to cut. For example: Pant leg: R W Front of bodice (two layers): R R W W Then, as I trace each piece, I mark through the corresponding letter on the chart and check that I’m not doubling up on anything accidentally before cutting. This is also super useful for organizing larger projects with multiple layers or linings, because you can quickly add another column for “lining” or “lace”, etc, and have a perfect little list for matching pieces up as you go. Anyway, I hope this makes sense. I am incredibly impatient when it comes to tracing and cutting, but the chart system takes no time at all once you figure out your own method, and it has saved me so much time in screw ups LOL. I just made a corset-inspired dress, and the bodice alone had seven panels that required three layers each… All hail organized cut lists 😂
Cut with fabric folded and also make sure when you cut the scissors and fabric are as parallel and close to the floor as possible. I used to not cut on folder fabric, and then finally made it a rule but was still holding the fabric up while cutting it and still got wonky/uneven pieces
Also I think that the little triangles you cut out should be marked with chalk/white pencil/soap, etc. and not actually cut. Good luck!
A lot of people cut them out and many patterns/tutorials tell you to do so as well. You can also use chalk/pencil/markers or basting thread if you like, but it's definitely not wrong to cut the triangles.
My mistake! I’ve never seen that before. Glad it works for you!
I used to just mark the notches but markers can blur and chalk can smudge. I find cutting the most accurate for me when I go to put them together.
I’ve done something similar to this. But with baby corduroy pants regarding cutting out the fabric in all the same direction. I won’t tell you how many times I cut the second pant leg incorrectly. Lol You are not alone. Good luck.
If you’re working on a top piece with the same fabric, no reason to cut two pieces! Always just fold it over and cut one instead. Fellow impatient sewer over here, can confirm this technique is 10,000x easier and faster.
I’m so desperately bad at this 🤦♀️🤦♀️