How Do You Mark Notches?

Posted on: May 2nd, 2012

How do you mark notches? This question came up when I was cutting fabric for a mock-up at work. I, like I always do, marked the notches by cutting a slit halfway into the seam allowance. My coworker, however, suggested that I cut exterior triangles (the triangle would point away from the pattern) on the perimeter of the pattern that would be trimmed off after sewing. Her reasoning was legit – marking notches her way prevents from cutting too far into the seam allowance and sometimes into the actual garment. Even though it is a better way to work, I have stuck to marking notches with slits for no other reason than habit but maybe I should consider a change. How do you mark your notches? Do you cut exterior or interior triangles or do you cut slits? Maybe you have a completely different method of cutting notches that I’ve never heard of. Please do share…

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http://thewallinna.blogspot.com Inna

In most cases I mark notches with the chalk/invisible markers. I saw my grandmother doing this when I was little and I unconsciously use it as well. In my sewing school, we are taught to do the same as you – clip the halfway into the seam allowance. But working with silks or other delicate fabrics, I am afraid of cutting too deep into the garment. So chalk works best for me. Another way of marking notches – leaving pins as marking points.
- http://s78sd784hd4 maddie
  
  Invisible marker is a good idea. I use it for various other things but wouldn’t have thought to use it for marking notches. Thanks!
http://www.petticoatsandpeplums.blogspot.com Kat

I do the same as you and cut into the seam allowance. Sometimes I just mark them with pins but then when I start sewing they can get in the way.
- http://s78sd784hd4 maddie
  
  I feel your frustration – pins get in the way.
http://verypurpleperson.com Novita

I always cut slits too to mark notches, it’s the most practical way! Sometimes I mark with pins too when I forgot to mark the notches when cutting the pieces. With more fragile fabric, I use washable fabric marker. Pattern pieces for underwear are very small and has lots of notches, so invisible marker is the best way
- http://s78sd784hd4 maddie
  
  My next sewing project is lingerie so your tip on using invisible marker for marking notches on these type of patterns/garment is a great tip. Thanks.
http://anothercreation.blogspot.com Elaray

I’ve clipped into the seam allowance for decades. I’m careful not to clip too far and I’m never had a problem. I use a rotary cutter and I can’t even imagine trying to cut outside Vs with a rotary cutter. Another reason, I trace all my patterns and I’d have to take the time to trace the outside Vs first. Way too much effort.
- http://s78sd784hd4 maddie
  
  When my coworker suggested making outside/exterior V notches, that’s exactly what I thought – that it would take way too much time and effort. If I’m careful while marking, clipping into the seam allowances is just as effective and so much easier.
http://ellecsews.blogspot.com Elle C

I have cut a slit into the seam allowance since I got a rotary cutter and mat, but I recently got a pattern notcher thingy from Nancy`s Notions and I love it. It ain`t cheap, but for me it is worth it. Here is a link for the new toy 8-).

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/pattern+notcher.do
- http://s78sd784hd4 maddie
  
  That thing looks awesome! Thanks for the link.
http://www.sallieoh.blogspot.com sallie

I used to cut out little “v”s into the seam allowance for my notches – or – because I was lazy, chalk mark them. But I recently started cutting my “v”s out, like your coworker suggested. I actually like it much better! I feel like it takes much less time and somehow is more accurate ?
- http://s78sd784hd4 maddie
  
  How do you cut out the outside V’s? I would do it but it seems likes more work
http://gingermakes.wordpress.com Ginger

Oh, I just cut slits into the seam allowance. I didn’t really know how to freehand cut notches outside the pattern– it always seemed like it would be inaccurate to me.
- http://s78sd784hd4 maddie
  
  That’s exactly my problem, I don’t know how to go about cutting exterior/outside V notches. Interior/inside V notches I can do, they’re self explanatory, but i hesitate with exterior/outside V notches.
http://www.thegarmentfarmer.wordpress.com Qui

I have used slits, but sometimes they blend in too well and I have a hard time locating them. So lately I’ve cut a small v notch into the seam allowance. It’s easy to spot and easy to make even after I’ve cut all the pieces out.
Michelle

I need to take up sewing…
http://www.indigorchid.wordpress.com indigorchid

I use a pattern notcher to notch my paper patterns, and then I trace, usually using chalk or soap (I prefer soap, it goes away easily when you need it to, plus it’s a nice way to use up that last sliver of the soap bar!). I’ve never had a problem with fragile fabrics fraying, but I guess I’d just snip a very small notch.

I think outwards triangles would really slow me as I’m cutting – right now I cut, and after each continous line, I go back and make sure I snip the notches on that side. There is a rythm to is I guess!
- http://s78sd784hd4 maddie
  
  I’ve never heard of using a bar of soap as chalk. What a great idea.
- http://therelaxedsewer.weebly.com Nethwen
  
  I tried using soap, but it didn’t mark clearly. Either the fabric wouldn’t take the color, or I couldn’t get enough of an edge on the soap and the lines were broad and inaccurate.
  
  I used a chalk/washable pencil (or a real pencil if I don’t care about leaving marks). I was taught to do the outside triangles, but it took too long and, therefore I was inaccurate with it.
http://seraphinalina.blogspot.ca/ Seraphinalina

I’m another chalk marker. I just add some lines where it’s needed. It’s pretty easy, but that hole puncher seam marker sure looks cool.
http://luckylucille.com/blog Rochelle New

I draw the triangles to the inside with chalk. No cutting involved, and it takes the same amount of time to do if you’re tracing your patterns anyways.
http://clothhabit.com Amy

I cut little slits, even in tiny seam allowances. (I the outside triangles for years, though, as that’s how older commercial patterns used to look before they were multi-sized, but ha, the less corners I have to cut, the better!) If the sa is small or fabric super ravel-y I’ll mark a chalk dot near the edge. I love those pattern notchers!

Hope you had a great trip!
http://www.symondezyn.wordpress.com Amanda

I draw them outwards as I’m tracing and then cut them that way as well; better safe than sorry
http://dixiediy.blogspot.com dixie

Chalk or pins. Usually pins ’cause they’re most likely to be on hand when I’m already pinning pattern pieces to fabric. For some reason I dislike having to clip with scissors. Maybe I’m just too lazy to go find my scissors. I think laziness dictates most of choices when I’m sewing.
http://bombardone.com/sewingprincess Sewing Princess

I never marked notches because they are hardly there in Burda patterns and I was not taught in my sewing course. I find notches are more present in US/UK patterns. So…I can happily do without actually although I find them useful. When there are notches I snip into the seam allowance.
Ah, and I also use soap instead of chalk…it’s much more flexible.
http://izznit.wordpress.com Izabelle

I’m pretty snip-happy when it comes to notches. In school they always taught knits have the outward triangle ones but they’re a PITA to cut around.
Natasha

That is one very overpriced notcher. This place has the same thing for $12 http://www.pgmdressform.com/pattern-making-supplies-pattern-making-tools-c3_75/pattern-notcher-steel-design-801a-p90.html No affliation.