DRESSMAKING 8

• Cutting (sewing)


  The process right after laying-out which cut out the pattern pieces from specified fabric for making garments
• Transferring of Construction Marks/Details


  An act or process of moving construction marks from pattern pieces to the fabric
• In dressmaking, it is important to finish your work by following the step-by-step guidelines and procedures so that you will achieve the accuracy in it
• Tools Used in Cutting your Fabric

  • Dressmaker's shears
  • Cutting table
  • Weights
• Guidelines in Cutting Fabric


  1. Practice using the shears on a piece of cloth to have a smooth cutting line

  2. Cut along the pattern so that the other hand rests on the pattern

  3. Start cutting at an edge within your reach

  4. Do not let the blades of the shears slant toward the table

  5. Do not lift the fabric

  6. Close the points of the shears to an exact stopping point only

  7. When cutting curves, your strokes will be shorter. Keep your free hand close to the cutting line to help you cut a smooth curved line

  8. Cut the bigger parts first

  9. Smaller Parts should be cut last

  10. As you cut, walk around the table. Do not pull the fabric toward you as the fabric may slip or stretch out of shape

  11. After cutting each part, put it aside. Do not remove the pins and patterns as you will need them in marking the fabric

  12. Collect and keep all scraps of cloth together for future use
• Tools Used in transferring the pattern markings/symbols to your Fabric

  • Tracing wheel
  • Dressmaker's carbon paper
  • Ruler
• Guidelines in Transferring Pattern Markings/Symbols to the Fabric

  1. The pattern details should be marked on the wrong side of garment pieces

  2. Place the tracing paper (or you can use carbon paper) face down on the fabric

  3. Place a piece of cardboard or newspaper under the fabric to prevent you from marking the table

  4. For straight lines, use a ruler as a guide in marking

  5. Remove the pins from the part where the marks are to be transferred

  6. Hold the tracing wheel firmly, moving this carefully on the lines. Avoid moving the wheel back and forth to avoid making several lines
• Identify the following pictures

  • Dressmaker's shears (Cutting tool)
  • Cutting table (Cutting tool)
  • Tracing wheel (Marking tool)
  • Dressmaker's carbon paper (Marking tool)
  • Ruler (Marking tool)
  • Weights (Cutting tool)
• Why do we need to practice using the shears first on a sample cloth before cutting the actual fabric?
• Why do we need to consider the guidelines in cutting the fabric and in transferring the pattern markings onto fabric?
• Is it important to transfer the pattern markings to the fabric? Why?
• Site some importance if you use sharp shears while cutting.
• Use sharp shears; use the point of the shears to cut corners, curves and small details.
• The pattern pieces should be marked on the right side of the garment pieces.
• Always keep the fabric flat on your cutting surfaces.
• Place the tracing paper face down on the fabric.
• Do not lift the fabric.
• For straight lines, use the French curve as a guide in marking.
• Cut the small parts first.
• Remove the pins from the part where the marks are to be transferred.
• Bigger parts should be cut out last.
• Hold the carbon paper firmly, moving this carefully on the lines.