*sob* How do I fix this?

[Angelorum]

I made my son some cute footed jammies from a kwik sew pattern. Loved the pattern, love the print, I was so excited! I had to mail order the snaps and the snap attaching tool for inside legs. When I finally got the snaps on I put the outfit on him, but after just one or two times pulling the snaps open for diaper changes, the snap panel is tearing away from the body. The fabric is a cotton interlock knit, I did the assembly with a 4 thread serger stitch. How do I fix it? And how can I modify the pattern/assembly so the next one I make doesn't do the same? I've noticed that most of the snaps on ready to wear aren't on separate strips that have been attached to the garment, rather the main piece is folded over at the edge and the snaps are attached on where the fabric is doubled; but I have seen some with separate pieces for the row of snaps, and I've never had them tear away.

[sapphire_chan]

My first inclination for your current problem is to do a row of zigzag (regular sewing machine, not overlock) on top of that entire seam to reinforce it.

For the future, interfacing would be the answer to reinforce the stress points, but you might have to use buttons or a zipper instead of snaps to reduce the pulling to fasten/unfasten.

Do up a couple of rectangles with the snaps and interfacing and pull at it and see if you get the same ripping.

Also, go to a store and look at pajamas. Or buy a small set from a thriftstore (find a set that looks like it was worn a lot, but is still free from holes ) cut it apart and see what they did.

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

My first inclination for your current problem is to do a row of zigzag (regular sewing machine, not overlock) on top of that entire seam to reinforce it.

For the future, interfacing would be the answer to reinforce the stress points, but you might have to use buttons or a zipper instead of snaps to reduce the pulling to fasten/unfasten.

Do up a couple of rectangles with the snaps and interfacing and pull at it and see if you get the same ripping.

Also, go to a store and look at pajamas. Or buy a small set from a thriftstore (find a set that looks like it was worn a lot, but is still free from holes ) cut it apart and see what they did.

I would do similar things.

I often make up my own patterns by deconstructing existing items. I rarely physically take things apart, but I mentally take them apart by closely examining several versions. I sketch them out on graph paper sometimes, too. It works really well!