Another finished dress (almost)

I left the handsewing (tacking down the bias tape on the inside and tacking down the waist, and putting on the snaps) for the plane ride.


This is the first time I've done a lapped closure- it didn't seem like it would work when I was making it, but now I love the look!


The little girl we are seeing tomorrow night if all goes as planned is a little one, though- only 14 pounds at her checkup two weeks ago. I hope it fits her at some point. :)

Next dress, please!

This is my first time using bias tape to finish an armhole. Not perfect, but I get the idea!


I will definitely be doing handsewing on the plane at this rate...but I've gotten to enjoy it a little bit (thanks Julia for the encouragement!). Just so long as the zipper is in (and skirt/bodice attached) before then.

ps I'm bringing back my Featherweight from Maine! I am so so so excited. I learned to sew on Mom's, and this is one she found at a yard sale about 10-15 years ago. :)

Finished!

(those are my husband's arms, not mine...)

I cheated on the hem- didn't take the time to measure evenly so I couldn't use the blind hemming stitch. Accidentally I had switched to the zigzag, and forgot to reset the stitch length. So I used a 4mm zigzag on the hem and it worked.


Today I stopped by Hancock Fabric to get a zipper, and found this really nifty Clover Chako (good eye, Cheryl!) chalk line marker. It made marking the pattern pieces on my next project (Simplicity 4711, in a pink and white seersucker with watermelons embroidery) fun! I am hoping to finish this little dress in time to bring it to Maine when we leave Friday morning. *grin* Somehow I am already expecting to be doing some handsewing on the plane!

Lessons learned so far

Underlining/facing in white works better with a white background print. On the back bodice, you can see some pattern shadow from the facing.


Lining up the print would have been a good idea, or I could have used a straight gathered skirt. The flowers are on a curve with this pattern...


I'm actually looking forward to making this pattern again. With a different, less linear print. Now, I'm off to bed. Putting in a zipper after midnight is NEVER a good idea.

Frank and Sarah

We're close, Frankenstein and me. I used him to make the facing, too.


It looks like it works, though, and I'm steaming ahead. Well, no, I'm quitting to go out to dinner with friends. But the project is on track!

Pattern/sewing advice needed

Tonight I cut out the sundress with the Amy Butler print (Butterick 4718). Super easy. And I only had 1 yard instead of the 1 3/8 required, but I made it all fit.


Almost. I frankensteined the facing of the back, and settled in to read the directions. Maybe I should have read the directions first, or perhaps even wondered why I cut a facing for the back but not the front...


I clearly don't have enough fabric for a front facing. I do have some nice lightweight cotton/poly 65/35 white fabric that would work nicely for a lining, but is it a problem to mess with the weight of the fabric on the facing?

Helena tricked me

Tonight I carefully bound off the bottom of the cardigan body...and realized that it didn't look like the picture. That's probably because the instructions say "sew up hem" at the end. Arg! Handsewing!


Well, I can move it to 85% done on Ravelry now.


And I got a really cute letter today. I won't be Aunt Sarah forever.