Top Draftalong # 13 - Adding seam allowance

(Blogger sent me my content back! Yay for Blogger!) So how is everyone doing? I'm afraid these posts are coming in short bursts as I'm trying to snatch time in between entertaining the Little Tornado, college, and household stuff. (Plus Blogger was down during my one big window of opportunity this morning. Typical) I'm guessing this is ok though because judging from most of your comments and emails, we're all snatching little bits of time for this project. Trying to squeeze it in, between all the enticing ideas and inspiration calling to us as we wander through the blogosphere! Taking on too much and then....gah!....can't keep up with it all...(or is that just me, lol!) Fear not, my fellow "over-doers"...it seems we are in no immediate danger of the pace of this draft-along getting any quicker any time soon (apologies to the organiszed and efficient among us!). So, moving (not so swiftly) onto how to add seam allowances...

"Because this toile must be sewn together so that you can try it on, 1.6cm (5/8 in) seam allowances must be added to all edges using the cardboard gauge and a pencil"    

There are quite a few ways to go about adding a seam allowance. The cardboard gauge is one. (a strip of cardboard cut to the width of the desired seam allowance) This is the one I like to use around anything other than a straight line. It works just as well with the end of a ruler or tape measure as it does with a seam gauge....

I'm adding a bit extra to my seam allowances just in case I need it so I set my gauge to 1".  Then it's a question of working your way along the outline, lining up the blue marker and using the tip of the gauge to draw a dashed line to mark out the seam allowance...

I find this the easiest technique for getting an even seam allowance around curves.
Note: I am only adding seam allowance to my side and shoulder seams at this stage (I went a little over onto the armhole curve just to demonstrate). My reasoning is, that these are the only seams I need to sew initially to fit my toile (the sleeves will come a bit later) and I don't really see the point in adding a seam allowance to the hem or neckline at this stage. They will serve no purpose as we will not be sewing the hem or the neckline. Of course, you can either do as I am doing (I may be missing something and doing it totally wrong, lol!) or you can do exactly as the book instructs and add seam allowance to all edges. It's entirely your call.

The seam gauge technique is great on curves but it's alot quicker to use a transparent quilters ruler or dressmaker's curve/square along straight edges.....

Other options:

• Let the width of your ruler dictate the width of your seam allowance. As long as it's at least 5/8 it doesn't really matter if you add extra,as long as it's the same all the way around
• Use your sewing machine to mark out your seam allowance. You have a ready made gauge on the throat plate and can use your stitching line to mark your cutting line and to stop the edges from fraying once you cut it out
• What about this nifty little gadget:

Cute!! How about you? Any pearls of wisdom? How do you add your seam allowances??
Px