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Gary
Kite Builder II
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 270
Location: Rhode Island, USA
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 Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 12:08 am Post subject: |
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| woodpekr wrote: | .  Great for making seam sticks of various lengths. |
Ah, seam sticks! Seamsticks good!
Flat stock is wonderful for making time saving seamsticks.
Oh, and, um, it takes 39.4 of those other measurement thingys to make one nifty meter . . . Hey, some people do go both ways . . . 
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Gary E |
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Steve D
Joined: 02 Sep 2003
Posts: 647
Location: USA GA Newnan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:58 am Post subject: |
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| Seam sticks? Elaborate a little on that one Gary...what they be? |
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Gary
Kite Builder II
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 270
Location: Rhode Island, USA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:48 am Post subject: |
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| Steve D wrote: | | Seam sticks? Elaborate a little on that one Gary...what they be? |
When marking for seams or hems, instead of measuring in, making marks, and drawing a line between the marks, just get a piece of flat stock in the dimension of the seam or hem allowance. Then just lay it against the edge of the panel, and its other edge can be used to mark for the seam or hem.
I like to use 3/4" allowances for double fold hems. Instead of measuring and marking, I just use a piece of flat stock that is 3/4" wide. Put it against the edge of the kite, draw along the other edge, and the kite is quickly marked for hems.
A clear quilting ruler works pretty good for the purpose as well. But those are usually more expensive than pieces of flat stock from the hardware store.
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Gary E |
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NPWBill
Joined: 08 Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Phoenix. Az
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:02 am Post subject: More on Formica cutting guides |
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I might add that a bit of dumpster diving at a cabinet shop can give you all the Formica that youl'll ever need if you decide to try this material.
Saw it whatever length/width you need.
I find that once in a while the edges get a little rough as the soldering iron will depost bits of melted cloth on it's edges...... comes right off with a fine wood rasp or some 80-100 grit paper laid flat on the bench and the strip of Formica drawn across it a few times.
Bill |
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Steve D
Joined: 02 Sep 2003
Posts: 647
Location: USA GA Newnan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:06 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks Gary - makes sense now... |
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Gary
Kite Builder II
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
Posts: 270
Location: Rhode Island, USA
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:36 am Post subject: |
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Formica also makes great templates for rotary cutters. I use formica templates for trash bag Eddy's and Sleds.
Thanks, Bill!
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Gary E |
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stevef
Administrator
Joined: 27 Aug 2003
Posts: 809
Location: USA PA ALLENTOWN
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 11:08 am Post subject: |
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| Gary wrote: |
I like to use 3/4" allowances for double fold hems. Instead of measuring and marking, I just use a piece of flat stock that is 3/4" wide. Put it against the edge of the kite, draw along the other edge, and the kite is quickly marked for hems.
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Sounds like a Tony Stick to me....
When I am joining two long pieces together, I add a 3/4" seam allowance to both pieces with the 3/4" side of the stick. I draw a line on one side and cut on the other. When both pieces are cut, I then stack the pieces, line up the line, and then put the 1/2" side of the stick on the outside of the line and HOT CUT off the extra 1/4". The pieces are then "welded' together and ready for sewing with a 1/2" allowance.
make sense?
-Steve
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Last edited by stevef on Thu Mar 18, 2004 11:24 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Steve D
Joined: 02 Sep 2003
Posts: 647
Location: USA GA Newnan
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 11:22 am Post subject: |
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| Yup...no need to hot tack or use seam tape..... |
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NPWBill
Joined: 08 Mar 2004
Posts: 6
Location: Phoenix. Az
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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See pix about half way down the page.... self explainatory
http://members.cox.net/npwbill/SewingTips.htm
I use a serger quite a bit of the time because of the speed, but re-sew the resultant flaps down, too. Just a little neater.
Different materials use/need different heat settings. I often use an old 0-150VAC Variac, but there are light dimmers out there that are very reasonably priced and control the heat on just about ANY soldering iron or wood burner. Be sure to match the wattage to the dimmer, or just get one that will cover all your applications.
Cheers!.... Bill |
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mhartzel
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Posts: 167
Location: USA, Michigan, Fraser
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| Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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For my next project (a Dave Holt Sceptre - details and pictures to come) i'm definately going to try the dimmer trick. As my woodburner does get just a touch too hot causing the cut to creep away from the original cut line in some spots.
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