How to make easy notches
This tip is so simple, I wonder how I ever sewed without knowing it! It's not taught in Home Ec, however; the first time I was introduced to it was in fashion school.
You were probably taught to notch out.
Sewing class in high school definitely taught me to make notches outwards.
But the easier way, is to clip in.
Maybe our teachers didn't tell us this secret because they were worried we'd cut too deep. It's true, if you use this method, you must be careful to make a small clip and not cut into your seam line.
But, all you have to do to make a notch, is make a little clip in the fabric. I do it from the center of the triangle notch mark to the tip of that little triangle. If there are three triangles, make three notches.
But, all you have to do to make a notch, is make a little clip in the fabric. I do it from the center of the triangle notch mark to the tip of that little triangle. If there are three triangles, make three notches.
In fact, when we learned to make sewing patterns at fashion school, notches are actually marked with a notch like this, so that the cutter really can clip the fabric. It's not the little triangle that's on home sewing patterns.
Notching for other marks.
I often even use clips to mark things other than notches, like all those little dots on sewing patterns! This does involve referencing your pattern more often, and doesn't always work. But if that dot refers to something like where a zipper should end, then I notch it as well.