Hi Everyone! Let's talk about - Sewing In Bulk Quantities! I'm excited to share the things I've learned with you as well as pick up new tips and suggestions from the group. Maybe you're asking - "Why would I want to sew in bulk?" There are a few reasons... First, maybe you want to sell items you make at a craft fair, in an Etsy shop, or in local retail. Second, maybe you're considering donating a bunch of items to a charity during the holidays (which will result in lot's of happy little girls and boys!), or maybe you just want to make a large wardrobe for your collection - a girl can never have too many pairs of jeans, right?!
In the video posted below, I share with you an overview of the month long topic including my Top 10 Tips For Sewing In Bulk Quantities. I hope this will encourage you to think through your methods and inspire you to sew in bulk (or sew in larger bulk quantities if your already a mass production expert)!
Pattern Overview:
Liberty Jane FREE T-Shirt (AG, WW, H4H, Barbie, JG, KNC, BFC, AGAT)
Liberty Jane Jeans Bundle (AG, WW, H4H, JG, KNC, BFC, AGAT, Bitty)
Liberty Jane Dress Form (AG, WW, BFC/AGAT, Ellowyne/H4H) If you're sewing in bulk you'll need lots of these for display!
Top 10 Tips for Sewing in Bulk:
Be sure to Get Organized first ;) You can review last months topic HERE.
Use a notebook or Sewing Planner to keep your projects and plan organized. Pick a pattern your are familiar with that is simple in design.
Choose fabrics wisely. Work with fabrics that are all the same type so that your machine settings stay the same, you use the same needle, thread color, and pressing settings.
Stack your fabrics and cut with a rotary cutter and cutting mat. Start with 4 layers to determine how thick you can stack your fabrics and still get an accurate cut.
Don't use pins! Yes, you read that correctly :) Pins are great, but for bulk sewing they will really slow you down. Alternately you can use fabric weights, or anything heavy you have around you, even your finger tips! Most seams are short and can be accurately sewn without pins (if you've chosen a simply designed garment like a t-shirt)
Nip your notches. Instead of cutting triangle notches, cut a short 1/8" slit into your seam allowance to mark notches. This can easily be done through multiple layers of fabric at once as well.
Finish all the exposed edges on all your pieces first. You can do this with a serger or a zig-zag stitch on your machine.
If needed, change the order of instruction so that you can sew as much as you can without getting up, then move to your pressing station and press all at once.
Get a good swivel chair! This will help with efficiency as well as comfort and posture!
Sew buttons with 2-3 strand of embroidery floss instead of thread. Even better, use your machine to sew buttons on automatically - major time saver!
Week One task:
Watch the video :) Then share your tips and suggestions with me and the group! This should be a fun topic with a lot of discussion, I'm sure there are many bulk sewing ninja's in this group! If you have questions or need help in specific areas, ask!
Participate in the polls posted below.
Post questions as comments under the Facebook Group Post
Next Tuesday - Week 2: Bulk Sewing Process & Resources...
7 Comments
Deana
August 11, 2017
If I’m going to make a bunch of something, or if I know I’m going to make the same thing again in the future, I generally take the time to digitize the PDF pattern for my electronic cutter. While it does take setup time, it saves time in the long run because I can just run my cutter whenever I want to make something that I’ve made before. It cuts the pattern pieces out AND does the pattern marking for me. It also helps me keep track of the variety of pattern pieces that have to be cut out because I can mark them too!
Jillian
August 05, 2017
Having quintuplet dolls that I prefer to dress alike (matching or different colors but same style), means I am always sewing 5 of anything. I’m already practicing several of these tips, and excited to learn more ways of improving my sewing so that the clothing I dream of having for them can become outfits I’ve actually created for them.
I do have a question about thread for bulk sewing. I’ve seen a few places selling clear thread, that’s meant to be see-thru. Would that be worth getting? Or does it not work as well as regular thread?
Kathi
August 03, 2017
I am really excited about this topic. I have been trying to get a small home based business going for doll clothes and items and have been struggling. I plan to offer “gold” themed items and donate the proceeds of those items to CURE Childhood Cancer. Did it on a small scale last year and was labor intesive, one outfit at a time! This will be a really big help I am sure!!!!
Nora
August 03, 2017
All great ideas, thanks! Can’t wait to start sewing again when my kids go back to school ;)
FYI: Hart’s Fabrics also carries the Collette sewing planner.
Candy
August 01, 2017
The biggest thing I do with bulk sewing is purses. I have worked out the steps to sew multiple purses using same color thread. I can make 3 to 5 purses in a half day using this method. The videos you have done are great but some folks need detail to translate this to multiples. For example: I pin many pieces for many purses and sew them all. then I fold, iron and re pin for another round for multiple pieces for multiple purses. Then the next step. My background as a process consultant means I naturally think this way. I would be happy to help you if you are interested in this concept.
Candy
August 01, 2017
I am slow. where do you get the nice hangers? If I go on the internet, i’m not confident that what they say translates to what I need. Thanks, Candy
Susan P
August 01, 2017
I’m really looking forward to this month’s topic! I’ve committed to donating dolls and doll wardrobe gift baskets for a fall fundraiser and Im cold use tips on sewing more efficiently. I tend to sew one outfit at a time for myself, but the more i can get done, the more I can donate. I’m also considering starting a small business to help support my dolly habit.
Deana
August 11, 2017
If I’m going to make a bunch of something, or if I know I’m going to make the same thing again in the future, I generally take the time to digitize the PDF pattern for my electronic cutter. While it does take setup time, it saves time in the long run because I can just run my cutter whenever I want to make something that I’ve made before. It cuts the pattern pieces out AND does the pattern marking for me. It also helps me keep track of the variety of pattern pieces that have to be cut out because I can mark them too!