Out of all the sewing notions I've worked with over the course of my years of sewing, there is just one that very thought of having to use gets under my skin. I should be embarrassed for revealing this but hey if "kryptonite" can stop Superman dead in his tracks, it's obvious that I would have my own hindrances, even in my beloved hobby of sewing.
It's weird but I can never seem to sew a hook and eye in correctly. What did you expect me to say? Zippers? Bias tape? Buttons? I bet you didn't think it would be the smallest sewing notion did you? LOL!
Well here lies the problem. I'll either sew the hook in correctly and will be off a bit with the eye. I finally started ditching them in my garments but I really want my clothes to have a RTW feel so I know I must include them. Besides they're the best little insurance policy to prevent zipper tab slippage.I practically can sew in an invisible zipper blindfolded (they're my favorite notion) but can't properly sew in a hook and eye. Doesn't that seem a little backward--- LOL!!!! It just goes to show that no one can do everything perfectly. Seriously, I've finally decided that it's time to get over this handicap and finally take a look at how RTW and consult one of my sewing books for specific instructions that insure success. Problem solved! But to some degree they still probably will always make me cower! LOL! Out of curiosity, might I ask, "What's your sewing kryptonite"? Which notion really gets under your skin?
You're not alone. My hook and eyes are always a little off also. I ever so carefully place and mark and then remark when I sew on the second piece, just to make sure nothing has shifted. Then I finish and it is still off.
ReplyDeleteI inherited from my grandmother a huge assortment of hook and eyes which I haven't used up yet. I blame her as she was well-known for changing her mind at the last minute and I think her hook and eyes are following suit! LOL
Bound buttonholes and welts are mine.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same. I love invisible zippers and never have a problem with them, but hooks and eyes I loathe. In fact, I no longer use them. I've taken Sue's idea (Quilt Sue, Sew Sue) and now add a little tab and button inside. They seat more neatly and hold the zipper nice and flat and closed. I've seen other people sew them in with really nice decorative stitchingm but mine always end up looking like the were sewn in by a drunk and deranged blind woman.
ReplyDeleteI hate hooks and eyes too! So much so that I never use them anymore. I found solutions around dealing with them. Kbenco (an Australian blogger) uses a tab and button closure inside the top of the invisible zipper which too me gives a better look than RTW...it looks couture. That's just a thought!
ReplyDeleteVery nice suggestion about the tab and button Carol and Carolyn! I will definitely have to give that a try. I agree it does have a couture feel to it!!!!
ReplyDeleteDo I have to pick just one lol. Welt pockets, notched collars, linings, I do and have done all of these but each time I still get a little nervous.
ReplyDeleteMine are sewing buttons, and hooks and eyes too. I freak out any time I sew buttons and hooks and eyes. The pant I made recently, I spent almost 1 hr sewing just one hook and eye in.....
ReplyDeleteI loathe them also! I rarely use them. I think that I am going to have to find out more about Carolyn's tip.
ReplyDeleteHooks and eyes here, too!
ReplyDeletei feel the same about the hooks and eyes. I'm loving that tab and button idea!
ReplyDeleteI also have hook & eye issues and the other are zippers....uggh. Next time I will try the tab & button seams like a less problems.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...where do I begin? I am new to sewing, so there are many skills I have yet to learn. For now, buttonholes would be my guess. When I get them right, I get them right, but when they are wrong, uhhh!!
ReplyDeleteButtonholes...they didn't used to be such an issue, but they are now! :-(
ReplyDeleteI think my kryptonite is adding seam allowances! I had some help draping a fitted dress back at Christmas, but the muslin wasn't big enough to leave full seam allowances. Now, I've been feeling stuck - trying to figure out how to take that muslin and turn it back into a pattern with appropriate seam allowances. Some day I'll figure it out! In the meantime, I'm making pillowcases!
ReplyDeleteI have the same hook and eye problem and can also nearly do a concealed zip blindfold (well maybe not quite that good). I blame it on my stubby fingers, have a job gripping them to sew.
ReplyDeleteVery nice suggestion about the tab and button Carol and Carolyn! I will definitely have to give that a try. I agree it does have a couture feel to it!!!!
ReplyDeleteBaby Bedding
I totally feel the same! I love the button/loop combo, and I use it on all my skirts. The thing is, whenever I've had hook and eyes in my RTW clothes, they always come undone, so I don't feel too bad about always omitting them in favor of other notions. They make me feel paranoid as a wearer.
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria, the button & tab is nice but my suggestion is to skip the metal eye, use the hook placed under the fabric & then make a thread loop on the edge of your fabric it looks very couture & is easy, I'm not sure what it's called, but thread your needle & knot the 2 strands together, hide the knot between the fabric layers stitch the width you need for your hook & keep it a little loose then do a hand buttonhole stich over the 2 threads(or you can use 4 if you want it stronger) as many times as it takes to get back to where you started & that makes a really nice thread loop to use as your eye. It's lovely on dressy clothes, oh & I don't do hand stitching if it's not quick & easy, do a practice 1 1st I hope this makes sense, Lilian
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