When doing a reduction, always consider which stitch will be on top. A p2tog is fantastic for combining two purls into one, but it doesn't look so great when a purl overlaps a knit. It's best to choose your reductions based on how the finished product will look rather than what stitch is being removed.
Fabric slippage prevention solutions Use a sharp, long-pointed needle with the least resistance to tissue entry. Make use of a needle plate with the tiniest hole feasible. Reduce the stitch count per cm. As a result, there is less tissue measuring moved between stitches.
Shrinkage prevention Solutions Avoid stitching across flat surfaces such as cardboard or plastic. This will reduce stress on the material and help it retain its shape once stitched. Stitch at an angle or with multiple threads if possible. This will provide more strength than single thread stitching.
Contamination prevention Solutions Clean your tools thoroughly after each use. This includes your hand, mind, and machine. Use a separate tool for each step of the process. Dispose of contaminated materials in a safe manner. Note that some dyes are toxic; do not pour them down the sink. They should be taken to a local hazardous waste site.
Quality control Check your work frequently while stitching. Stop when you see something amiss. You can't fix things if you don't know they need fixing!
Prevention is the best cure. Keep these ideas in mind and your sewing projects will come out great every time.
Wonderful knitting tips! Instead of writing the same instructions again and over, after the stitch or design repetition has been defined, the instructions may simply say, work in pattern. This means that you should follow the specific steps required to knit or crochet the piece in question.
The term "work in pattern" can also be used when referring to a finished project. For example, someone who finishes a sweater might say it "works well in pattern." Or, if there are visible seams or other issues with the garment, they could say, "It works well, but it doesn't fit very well." In this case, the word "pattern" is being used as a noun, meaning "a planned arrangement or series of movements or actions." So, here, they're saying that the finished product shows signs of having been planned out carefully, but that it actually fits quite poorly.
Finally, the term "work in pattern" can also be used when talking about how a knitter or crocheter gets ready to start a new project.
Cut as a single layer with a one-way arrangement. Place the pattern pieces on the correct side to match the stripes if the print does not appear on the wrong side. Avoid putting prominent stripes on your bust, waist, or hips. Fold the cloth in half and line up at the selvedge if cutting as a double layer. Cut along the outer edge of the pattern piece.
Sulky iron-on pens and pencils are excellent for immediately applying the printed embroidery design. To use this approach, trace the design with an iron on pen or pencil on the reverse, flip it over onto your fabric (pen or pencil marks down), and iron until transferred. The design will appear on both sides of the fabric.
If you want to add other colors to your work, such as black for stitching up right now, then use a different color pencil for each area of color. Remember to keep the areas separate or the colors will run together.
For thicker fabrics, consider using an embroidery hoop. This will help the needle go in and out more easily while keeping the shape of the design consistent.
Embroidery designs can also be printed directly from your computer. Find free designs online at websites like GraphicsforLove.com. You can search by theme (dolls, cats, etc.) or keyword (flowers, sunsets, etc.). Once you find a design you like, click the download button to save it to your computer. Then open your embroidery software and click "load file" to import the pattern.
Be sure to check the sizing of the pattern before you start sewing.