Tip & Trick: Fabric Weights
Fabric Weights are an alternative to using pins when cutting fabrics. There are times when you should consider using weights instead of pins.
- Chiffon: due to the delicate weight of this material it often shifts and moves when cutting.
- Stretch fabrics: when you pin stretch fabrics you accidentally stretch the fabric.
- Leather or Suede: pinning these fabrics will cause pin marks to be left in the fabric.
Pattern weights are also a great option when you want to speed up cutting. It’s a lot easier to plop down some weights and trace around a pattern than it is to pin each corner of a pattern piece. What are some of your tips and tricks for cutting out fabric and patterns?
Materials
- Scrap Fabric: 2 squares measuring 4″ x 4″ for each weight
- Scrap Ribbon or Fabric: 1.5″ x 3″ for each weight
- Rice/Barley/Beads etc to fill the weights
Instructions
- Fold the small strip right sides together lengthwise and stitch along the long edge with 1/4″ seam allowance.
2. Turn right side out and press.
3. Place the strip on the right side of one of the squares corners.
4. Fold the other end of the strip up to meet the corner. Baste in place.
5. Place the other square right sides together and pin in place.
6. Stitch fully around 2 sides of the square, stitch around 1 side leaving a 1″ gap in the middle and leave one side unstitched.
7. Take the open side and pinch in the middle of each end. Pull outwards causing the two seams to meet in the middle.
8. Pin in place and stitch closed with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
9. Turn your weight right side out through the 1″ gap.
10. Fill your bag to the desired weight.
11. Slipstitch your opening closed.
