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  1. #1
    Senior Member FBG's Avatar
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    Muslin first, Ripstop second

    Being a geek and all *sheepish grin* I do a little sewing to make garb for my daughter and I for renaissance faires (yes, I'm THAT kind of geek) and one of the tricks I've picked up along the way is to first make a sample or test model out of cheap fabric. I figure with all the thread injector noobs floating around the forum it might not be a bad idea to bring up the idea.

    I realize there's quite a bit difference between constructing a form fitting corset and say... a set of doors. However, when it comes to cutting the fabric and you've misjudged a length by 10 or more inches you may have just wasted several dollars ($5-$15/yrd) worth of fabric (ripstop) that could have been used for something else (stuff sack).

    I keep a steady supply of muslin on hand because the cheap stuff can be picked up for $.99/yrd or less. Also, places like Hancock Fabrics and Hobby Lobby will have a remnant or clearance section where you can often find something suitable for a couple bucks. It may not have the same stretch or feel as silnylon or ripstop, but it's a cheap learning tool that can provide an accurate and flexible pattern for later projects.

    Good luck and happy sewing, er... thread injecting!


    EDIT: Also check Goodwill and Yard Sales. Both good suppliers of cheap sheets!
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  2. #2
    Senior Member dragon360's Avatar
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    It does sound like a good idea and I have done so - though admittedly sparingly. I find that it feels almost as if doing two of the same project and only one usable (and I barely have the time for one!!). For the real difficult ones, this would probably be the way to go for me.
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  3. #3
    Jimbo3b's Avatar
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    This doesn't make sense for something simple that needs to be stressed (hammock). However, it's the right idea for adapting a more complicated pattern that I'll (hopefully) use many times, like outerwear. I like the idea of making a permanent fabric pattern rather than trying to preserve fragile, poorly-adapted paper patterns.

  4. #4
    Senior Member halfastronomical's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FBG View Post
    Being a geek and all *sheepish grin* I do a little sewing to make garb for my daughter and I for renaissance faires (yes, I'm THAT kind of geek) and one of the tricks I've picked up along the way is to first make a sample or test model out of cheap fabric. I figure with all the thread injector noobs floating around the forum it might not be a bad idea to bring up the idea.

    I realize there's quite a bit difference between constructing a form fitting corset and say... a set of doors. However, when it comes to cutting the fabric and you've misjudged a length by 10 or more inches you may have just wasted several dollars ($5-$15/yrd) worth of fabric (ripstop) that could have been used for something else (stuff sack).

    I keep a steady supply of muslin on hand because the cheap stuff can be picked up for $.99/yrd or less. Also, places like Hancock Fabrics and Hobby Lobby will have a remnant or clearance section where you can often find something suitable for a couple bucks. It may not have the same stretch or feel as silnylon or ripstop, but it's a cheap learning tool that can provide an accurate and flexible pattern for later projects.

    Good luck and happy sewing, er... thread injecting!


    EDIT: Also check Goodwill and Yard Sales. Both good suppliers of cheap sheets!
    Yes! I learned what little skills that I have by killing a lot of innocent bed sheets. Great point! It works.
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  5. #5
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
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    Tarps don't need to be fit. That's the only difference. For prototypes... yeah use cheap stuff instead of the silnylon.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

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  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    I agree with the OP and have a roll of muslin...but if you want to go really cheap, use napkins, paper towels and notebook paper to work out the details.

    Mock-up of three layer IX UQ corner (paper towel and napkin)...

    IMG_1747 (Medium).JPG

    First attempt at square bottom stuff sack with handle (napkin)...

    IMG_1766 (Medium).JPG

    Hex tarp and beak scale model (writing paper)...

    IMG_1708 (Small).JPG

  7. #7
    Senior Member FBG's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by halfastronomical View Post
    I learned what little skills that I have by killing a lot of innocent bed sheets.
    Glad to know I'm not the only one!
    "If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking."
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  8. #8
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by halfastronomical View Post
    Yes! I learned what little skills that I have by killing a lot of innocent bed sheets. Great point! It works.
    Quote Originally Posted by FBG View Post
    Glad to know I'm not the only one!
    After my first bed sheet kill, I realized that I didn't have the "stomach" for it. That's when I switched to the paper products...they're so small and easy to dispatch...barely a squeal when cut and stabbed.

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