HELP! really dumb sewing question(s)

[UmmSamiyah]

Okay, I am working on a skirt right now and am totally stumped! I am trying to put in a zipper but I don't understand the directions.
1. The pattern is for a size 8 but after cutting and sewing it looks more like a girls 10 is that normal? It is a simplicity
2. When it says "press" that doesn't mean iron does it?
3. How does a needle threader work?
That's all I got for now. I am gonna try and re-do this.

[Kari_mom]

I will take a stab at this!

1. The pattern is for a size 8 but after cutting and sewing it looks more like a girls 10 is that normal? It is a simplicity

Pattern sizes bear little resemblance to clothing sizes, and are usually smaller. No matter who makes the pattern, I would use bust, waist and hip measurements to select the size. Once you are familiar with a particular pattern line, you can shortcut this step.

2. When it says "press" that doesn't mean iron does it?

Sort of. When most people iron, they just run the iron over the garment and get the wrinkles out. When you press, you are usually putting IN creases by holding the iron in place and pressing down on it a bit. Move the iron to the next bit and repeat until whatever you are pressing is done. For examples, seams are often pressed open, hems pressed up, darts pressed to one side...all all put a crease or fold in the fabric to hold it in a certain way.

3. How does a needle threader work?

Is it the kind that looks like a weird coin with wires out one side? Put the wire loop through the eye of the needle, put the thread through the wire loop, then pull the wire loop back through the eye of the needle bringing the thread with it.

HTH!

[UmmSamiyah]

OHHHH! Thanks.