Expanding my repertoire
 

I want to try new things in order to a) increase my skill set and b) used my rapidly growing stash of fat quarters,

I have found this pattern I would quite like to try as a doorstop.

https://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk...t-toy-project/

The seams in this project are 3/8 of an inch. Am I right in guessing that the seams are bigger than the traditional 1/4inch in patchwork so that it is stronger and less likely to fray?

How would you advise ensuring that I keep a consistent 3/8 seam on my Janome? I usually rely on my quarter inch foot!

Most machines have scored markings on the needle plate that you line the fabric up with. 3/8 is a pretty common one so check your machine and what the markings are.

This could be helpful. https://www.janome.com/siteassets/bl...g-basics-5.pdf

I sew on Brother sewing machines. When I want to sew something other than 1/4" like 3/8", I use the general sewing foot and usually move the needle to the left until the edge of my sewing foot lines up on the edge of the fabric I am sewing and I get my full 3/8" that I need. Or you can use a seam guide like blue tape and just sew with the needle in the middle. Or on the feed dog plate, you will see measurements. These are small lines that have labels to tell you how big the seam will be if you run the fabric along the edge of the line and leave your needle in the center while sewing. (I get into trouble when I have to go around corners using this method.) If moving the needle, make sure you don't have a single hole plate on your machine. It's a great way to break a needle.

All this sounds confusing, but it really isn't that bad. Get a piece of practice material and figure out which method works the best for you. For me, it is moving the needle and being able to line my fabric on the edge of my presser foot. Otherwise, I can sew a very crooked line. "smile"

The 3/8 inch seam allowance gives you room to clip or notch the curved seams. Here's a good explanation of which one you should do on the type of curve seam. https://byhandlondon.com/blogs/by-ha...-how-why-where

Easiest way to mark an odd seam allowance is to just put a piece of tape on the bed of your machine. That elephant is absolutely adorable! Good luck.

This tute originated in the UK where metric is commonly used. There is a good possibility that their sewing machines are geared to metric measured seam allowances. I would be careful of the type of fabric I choose and sew with a shorter stitch length as well.

3/8 seam is slightly stronger than the quilting seam of 1/4 and will hold up better when stuffing the elephant. To use this as a doorstop it would almost have to be packed so tightly to be heavy enough to hold a door back or be mounted on a small board. If this is the case you can put dowel rods in the legs to extend out from the bottom and then drill holes in the board to fit the dowels.

Just put a piece of tape along the line where the 3/8ths measure is on your machine to act as a guide.

Very cute project.

Watson

Oh he is so cute! i have a cat as a doorstop.

Most of my sewing is now patchwork, so I really struggle with larger seam allowances. Blue tape did not help, as I just instinctively want to narrow down the seam allowance to 1/4". Now I use this magnetic gizmo:

https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-626-Mag...tic+seam+guide