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Know Your Worth…A Pricing Guide For the Professional Seamstress.
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Category Archives: Ask Netfah
Ask Netfah: Types of Fabric Grain
DearNetfah,
Though I know that certain fabrics are more suitable for projects than other ones and have identified the general difference between natural fabrics and man-made ones, I admit I still have alot left to learn about how to properly care for them, various construction techniques, and how to determine how a fabric will drape or hang. On this note, I’m wondering what you can tell me about a fabrics ‘grain‘?
~Curious George, Mobile-Alabama
Dear Curious George,
Ask Netfah: When Is White Right?
Dear Netfah,
I was raised in the south where the rule of thumb surrounding the wearing of whites was simply that one should never wear it BEFORE Memorial Day or AFTER Labor Day. Does this rule still apply to the trendy fashionista?
~To White or Not To White, Pennsauken-NJ
Dear To White or Not To White,
Before I answer your question regarding whites, I must first ask if a trendy fashionista is known to obey rules, break rules or simply create rules?
Ask Netfah: DIY Pillow Problem Solved
Dear Netfah,
I am teaching my little girls the basics of pillow making but have always struggled myself with stitching an enclosed seam so that the pillow corners will be square and filled out. Any advice?
Signed,
~Pillow Project Problems, W’Boro-NJ
Dear Pillow Project Problems,
Ask Netfah: Special Care for Cotton Tube Fabric
Dear Netfah,
I recently purchased a cotton jersey knit that came in a tube. Aside from pre-washing, do I need to do anything in particular to the fabric before cutting the pieces into a garment?
~Sandy / Detroit-MI
Dear Sandy,
Once you have pre-washed the fabric to reduce any additional shrinkage, simply cut along one of the folds and steam or press to remove the fold line. If it won’t press out or if the fold line is unfortunately somewhat faded due to overexposure to light over time, you will want to be mindful to utilize your fabric strategically so as not to reveal any defects on your final garment.
Ask Netfah: DIY Tips For Cutting Foam Padding.
Dear Netfah,
I am somewhat on a budget yet need to replace the cushion on one of my living room chairs that my husbands’ 93 year old mother has decided to call home over the past year. The job seems simple enough and would save me some money, but a few pointers are needed if you wouldn’t mind. I guess an idea of what to cut with would be a start. Heard scissors would suffice, but I am looking to purchase a 4 or 5″ thick foam padding. Any suggestions?
~ signed Fugal Female
Ask Netfah: Food Safe Fabrics for Reusable Sandwich Bags
Dear Netfah,
I am working on reusable bags for my kids and Xmas gifts, but heard a lot of the nylon, PUL (polyurethane) fabric and other stuff are not food safe. Any sugestions for ‘food safe’ fabrics or alternatives for my project?
Thank You
Leilane
Dear Leilane,
Ask Netfah: Poodle Skirt Fabric
Dear Netfah,
I am attending a 1950’s themed party in September and wanted to try my hand at making one of the fun poodle skirts from my youth. My only problem is I don’t want to use any felt. While it looks and works great for the garment, I just really never liked it that much. Any suggestions for an alternative fabric that will hang and flow the same way?
No Felt for My Poodle/ Cambridge, Ma.
Dear NFFMP,
Ask Netfah: Fireproofing Fabric for Fire Code Regulations
Dear Netfah,
As a manufacturer of custom made banquet and commercial seating, I am required by law to upholster my chairs in material that meets fire code standards. Unfortunately more often than not, I run into the issue of trying to locate fabric that is already fire proof. And while some are flame retardant, regulations require flame resistancy. I have heard that there is a fire proofing spray that works on almost any fabric and meets code requirements. Do you have any recommendations?
Rob, New England-MA
Dear Rob,
Ask Netfah: Durable Jacket Lining.
Dear Netfah,
I am making a jacket to wear on an overseas trip I am planning to take with my family next month and I want to have a place to store my important personals like cell phone, wallet, passports, money etc. Instead of carrying a bag or purse, I want to secure my stuff in pockets in the jacket…all eight of them. The thing is, I don’t necessarily want all the pockets to be accessed from the shell of the jacket, but rather from an inner lining so I will need a material that is not only durable, but breathable as well as the climate where we are going is more tropical than not. Any suggestions?
