I was cutting checks today, and nearly missed this little flaw running through the middle of the fabric – can you spot it?
No? Let’s zoom in a little closer:
See that horizontal blue stripe in the middle? It’s half missing!
This was the only faulty stripe in the 3m length that I had, and because there was plenty of fabric I was able to cut around it, so it was no big deal. But I’m glad I spotted it before I cut out the skirt panels – or my sides seams wouldn’t have matched!
And speaking of matching – in my next post I’ll show you how to cut out perfectly matching checks (or plaids if you prefer) – fun, fun, fun!
pattern scissors cloth 
I'm truly amazed, that you found it. I know I wouldn't have. What do you need 3m of fabric for? another dress? I can't wait to see it, especially since the fabric is so pretty!
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oh I would love to know how to match checks – especially how to match the top of the shoulder sleeve checks to the bodice front – I can work out all the other ones but have never managed how to do that!
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I must be nuts because I can't see it!
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I -didn't- catch one of these in some plaid recently, where one of the stripes was wider. Fortunately it was on the back panel of a dress for my little girl, so it's not all that noticeable (to others at least- it drives me crazy looking at it!) I'll be sure to check more carefully in future.
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Spotted!! Luckily you have enough fabric to work around this, as like you, it would really annoy me. How to match checks – would love your expertise on this – many thanks.
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I'm going to blame the cold medicine and admit that I'm snow blind or check blind, as the case may be…..
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Aahhh. That's really interesting.
I enjoy matching checks so you version will be wonderful to watch.
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Well spotted! I learned this the hard way- I recently decided to run up a circle skirt from some plaid I had in my stash, did all the requisite geometry only to find out too late (post-cutting) that a flaw in the weave meant the checks would not match correctly.
Hard-won sewing fact #3935: check your plaids!
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I always feel so lucky when I spot a flaw before cutting! This is a beautiful plaid so I look forward to seeing your skirt!
I'm cutting plaid at work tomorrow, joy!
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Yes it's a dress! I only found it after I cut the backs then went to double-check it against the front, and thought er, hang on…!
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I couldn't do that on this dress (the CF and CB had to be the same stripe) but sometimes you can wangle it, and it sure looks nice when you can do so!
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One of the blue stripes has a few rows missing in the weave, and is narrower than the rest!
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You're right, hardly anyone will notice – except us!
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Hehe, I was going check blind by the end of it all!
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Wow, you have great eyes, I honestly don't know if I would have made the connection that something was missing. It would have been one of those things that I wouldn't have been able to put my finger on, so to speak. Anyway, great Job, it's these little details that if not caught can give less than desirable results.
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Very timely I really want to sew up some very subtle check into wide leg pants but have put it off for this reason. I will look forward to this Mem
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wow, you have a great eye!
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Oh wow, I had a hard time seeing that. I just unfolded a bunch of my fabrics to refold in a neater way and noticed quite a few snags and flaws in my knits. I think I need to be a little more discerning! But it is pretty fabric–this has to be one of my favorite plaids, quite close to the family tartan ;). Can't wait to see what you're making with it!
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Ugggggh, what do you do? It's an epic pain when that happens. Lucky you saw it.
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