Lay the pieces right sides together, taking particular care that the checks are square, and not skewed – ie they are perfectly parallel and perpendicular to each other like they were designed to be. Position the pattern piece in place and chalk around it:
Cut out the top layer only:
The reason for cutting only the top layer is clear when you now examine the under layer – see how most of the checks are slightly misaligned? They need adjusting so that we will have a perfect mirror image! Nudge the top layer of cloth with your fingers until the checks line up exactly, both horizontally and vertically:
 |
| That’s better! |
Now cut out the under layer, using the top layer as a guide, so you end up with two perfect mirror images. Take care that you don’t cut wider than the top layer – or cut part of the top layer either! Check the dart markings are symmetrical too:
pattern scissors cloth 
I love your tip about cutting out one layer at a time, while the fabric is in a double layer. Seems that would be so much easier and faster than laying out each piece individually on a single layer.
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I am loving all these tips! Thank you so much for sharing. I should totally have done this with the little striped dress I just finished sewing—I did all right matching stripes on the chevroned bodice, but not at all on the skirt panels.
Those pesky credit cards! 😉
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I love your way of cutting. Plaids and stripes are always tricky
Marieke
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I have “accidentally” bought fabric lately too. Do you think it could be some kind of sewist virus? Let's say it is, because then buying fabric isn't our fault. Yeah, it's a virus.
Love the check/plaid matching stuff, I am so anal about this stuff, it is great to see how someone else does it. BTW-your way is better than mine.
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Accidentally having a credit card at global is a very very dangerous thing. I recently gave a Global gift voucher to a friend who only sews for her kids. She immediately went and bought herself some silk. It's just that kind of place, the place of fantasies.
I am really enjoying the check tutorials. Perhaps I will make myself some plaid flares after all…
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I'm really loving this tute and have started looking for check fabric. That's not what I normally buy…
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I'm so bookmarking these posts! Soon plaid will fear me!
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Yes it is quicker! The designer I first worked under used to say “never do anything twice if you can do it once” and this is an example of that!
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Yes it would have been handy for that cute little dress – but the bodice was right and that's the most important bit!
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Thanks Marieke!
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Mmm..I'm sure the fault is with the credit card though…
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I could easily spend a couple of hours there just oogling and fantasising…
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That's the spirit!
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