The pink Burda dress horror was doing my head in - I decided to put it One of my amazing purchases from Joel's was some gorgeous purple floral cotton. This stuff is cotton the likes of which I have never seen, it feels so smooth and almost silky - and as it was a bolt end (at two metres!) it was in the 50% off section (which was frankly just as well as I think at full price it was about £25 a metre - that place is NOT cheap)... then when some of the patterns I had ordered came at the weekend, I spotted Vogue 8555 which I thought would be fab for my lovely purple cotton. I am making view B (the yellow dress in the link). The dress is lined and I had some beige silky lining which is perfect. On Saturday I did a quick muslin of the bodice in size 10 which seemed generally ok though might need taking in at the centre back when I put the zipper in.
I have so far finished the bodice which looks good so far - I really like the pleats on the neckline and the sweetheart shape at the front is pretty cool. I am really keen to finish this dress as professionally as possible - and I wanted to understitch the lining to the seam allowances as per the instructions (which say to understitch 'as far as possible'). The annoying thing is that the instructions said to do that after I'd sewn the lining and the fabric together at the neckline and armholes - and the curves just wouldn't let me get the sewing machine all the way around. I couldn't just go part of the way and stop - it would look odd on the inside surely??What is the best way to do this properly?? Advice please!
On the length, I was going to have it above the knee (the is the most flattering length on me) but now I'm thinking if I taper the skirt in towards the hem a bit more to make it a bit more pencil-y, it might be ok just over the knee... hmmmm. To be continued.
I think not understitching all the way around is fine. Just make sure to pull the loose threads in so it looks neat. I've done a dress where the understitch situation is also "as far as possible" and I haven't noticed any structural issue with the garment.
ReplyDeleteYour bodice looks fantastic! I am dead jealous. I love Joel and Sons fabric. £25/m actually sounds quite reasonable for that place, lol!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could give you some advice, but I am a beginner myself. I can't wait to see this dress once you have it finished.
I agree with littlecottondresses. It's impossible to understitch all the way around. Just keep the threads neat and trim the seam allowances when you're done and don't worry too much about what it looks like on the inside.
ReplyDeleteAgreed with above comments on understitching. It's not just you :)
ReplyDeleteYour dress is looking very professional so far. I love the fabric you chose and can't wait to see the finished dress. Good luck!
I have just made this pattern - it's really nice. I love your pretty fabric.
ReplyDeleteAbout the understitching - what I always do is sew the neckline then understitch that all the way round then I sew the armholes and understitch them as far as possible.
Love this fabric, it's a beautiful colour - great score!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Eugenia - sew your neckline and understitch it. Then sew your armholes and understitch them, starting and ending as close to the shoulder seam as you can, sometimes you can get right around but I think this strap is too narrow to do that.
Can't wait to see the end result!
I had the same problem then realised it was too late to understitch. Mine is looking OK with out it. I've done the bodice, now working on the skirt.
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