From: wentzell@ace.acadiau.ca (LEEANN WENTZELL)
Newsgroups: alt.sewing
Subject: Snaps
Date: 10 Apr 92 12:45:47 GMT
Organization: Acadia University

I tried sending this directly, but it bounced. So here goes:
>Hi-
>        Last night I was finishing up an outfit I had made for my 9 month
>        old.  I am not a great sewer (more than a beginner, but definitely
>        not an expert).  Anyway, the one piece jumpsuit was all done except
>        for putting in the 9 snaps in the crotch.  I have a Dritz snap
>        applicator...I figured this would be the easy part.  Boy, was I wrong!
>        It took me forever (1 1/2 hours, I would guess) to get all of those
>        *&^% snaps in.  I kept having problems with the snaps not lining up
>        correctly so I would have to take them out, etc.  Each time I would
>        have to remove them, I would end up with more holes in the jumpsuit.
>        I especially had trouble at the bottom and crotch where there were
>        multiple layers (I had my husband finally do it because he had more
>        hand strength).  Anyway, my question is, is there an easier way???
>        What am I doing wrong?  I would like to avoid buying the snaps that
>        are already on a strip of material because I like to be able to 
>        adjust where I put the snaps.  
>        Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks,
>        Kirsten Werne
Try putting all the snaps on one side first (eg. all the sockets). Then lap 
the opposite side over this edge, and use a seam ripper to locate the socket 
beneath. Mark and install one at a time. Snap all the complete snaps before 
you mark for the next one. I usually do both the ankles first, then those 
closest to the crotch, then the ones between. This evens out an 
irregularities in leg length.
I'm not sure which types of snaps you were using. Halo snaps (the ones that 
are just a ring) are the most pain and sre hardest to put through thick 
fabric. There is a brand in Canada called Unique - something similar I'm 
sure would be available to you. The cap of the socket side is solid and 
colored. You use a special tool, red with a pointy metal prong at one end, 
to apply these. These work great through any thickness of fabric, and almost 
never do you wreck any. I wreck tons of halos. The drawback of the Unique 
snaps is their size. The ones available here may not be appropriate for the 
crotch.
If you were using the halos, the area where you attach the snaps may be the 
problem. I've found that the best way to bind the legs is to use wide single-
fold bias tape. Sew one edge, right sides together to the leg edge. Trim 
the seam closely to eliminate bulk. Then flip the tape to the inside and 
topstitch in place, about 1" from the edge. This should give you a 
relatively large area where there are only two layers of fabric - the leg 
and the tape.
If you are using a hammer to pound your snaps (I recommend this), try doing 
it on a hard floor, such as concrete. You'll get a better hold with less 
hitting.
Hope this helps. I have a 13 month old and have learned from trial and 
error. But, everyone tells me how cute her clothes are, so keep sewing!

Lee Ann
Newsgroups: alt.sewing