Work in progress: New Look 6184 (2)

The latest on my dress...

Once I'd sewn the darts at the back of the bodice pieces, the next stage was to actually sew front and back together. Although I know I should make a muslin...let's be honest, I just cut the pieces out and hoped for the best! When I did my initial measuring, the pattern implied that I should be one size, when I looked at the pattern pieces themselves, the amount of easing they allow for is very generous - it was going to give me a full 3 and a half inches of easing, which to be honest, isn't the look I go for on a dress like this! So I cut the smaller size, which would still leave me with about an inch, and hoped that I was doing the right thing.

Once I got the bodice front and back pieces sewn together, I did a first 'try-on' (with my hubby holding the back closed - always a good look!), and it actually fitted perfectly. The whole concept of having the 'easing' in the pattern is worth remembering when you're starting out - depending on the fit that you want, ensure you read the actual measurements on the pattern rather than the sizes on the back!

The next task - which was pretty time consuming - was to prepare the facing for the neckline. I ironed on the interfacing...

...and then sewed the pieces together to get my rather amusing looking neckline!

Then I finished off my exposed edge with a zigzag stitch, and attached the facing to the bodice of the dress.  Although this required a bit of footering about ensuring the right sizes were facing and the curve and seams were in the right place, it really was a brilliant way to finish off the neckline.  To be honest, this was the thing I couldn't quite work out about the neckline - how would it get finished in that 'shop bought' sort of way.  Neckline facings are the answer...!

Once the actual facing was attached, it was time for some understitching. Another quick Google search was required for something I'd never done before, and this Sewaholic demo came to the rescue. The little stitches in the facing are so cute...I'm enjoying them, even though it'll only be me who sees them...!

The next thing I need to do is do the bias binding for the arms - this is another one where I've found a fantastic tutorial so that hopefully I'll really know what I'm doing - that's certainly the plan anyway!  One for the weekend I think...

Pink & black roses skirt - with a flounce!

Finally - my Simplicity 2655 skirt is finished!  What do you think!?

I've really missed my sewing machine, so rather than watching paint dry this week (literally), I took the chance to do a bit of sewing between coats!  This is the final product from the first commercial pattern that I've bought - I have to say, it was (in the main) easy to follow and use - I'll definitely be making one of these again!

The two things I left to do were the zip and the waistband.

The zip

This was actually the first time I've used a standard zip in a skirt rather than an invisible zip - I like to tackle the really difficult things first, it seems.  It definitely was much easier to insert than the invisible one.  The pattern then indicated that there would be a bit of a fold to disguise the zip, rather than having it on show.  I really liked the effect this produced - and as it was easier to put in than the invisible zip, is definitely something to bear in mind for the future.

The waistband

The waistband, on first reading of the pattern, seemed a bit complicated!  It needed four pieces of fabric, as well as twill tape and interfacing.  After finally locating twill tape in Fabricland's haberdashery section, I was good to go.

One thing that had previously confused me about interfacing was how to get it to stick to the fabric...rather than the iron.  Thanks to a handy hints and tips web page, I discovered that the best way to apply iron-on interfacing is actually by covering the interfacing with a damp cloth and then pressing for between 10-15 seconds.  The results were perfect - and interfacing glued to my fabric, rather than my iron.

The twill tape is used to strengthen the waistband and stop it stretching.  I actually really like this idea, as I've noticed on other skirts that I've made that sometimes the waistbands do stretch, so it's good to keep it in shape.  I just sewed it in when I was sewing in the seam.

Twill tape

Finally, I had to sew in the waistband itself and sew the inside of the waist to the zip - I had to do a bit of hand sewing for this.  Hand sewing always makes me glad I normally can use my machine - I'm a bit of a clumsy hand sewer, and usually end up stabbing myself

Now it's ready to wear!

Flounce!