First, I bought the pattern, Burda 7200, because View A, the long version, just looks so svelte and sexy!
And second, I was fully aware that the long version should be done in a knit - and I have been avoiding sewing knit fabric for a looonng time. This pattern seemed good incentive to revitalize my knit sewing skills.
This is not exactly the svelte and sexy look I was after! but I do love the dress. It is done in a cotton jersey from Girl Charlee. What a cute print! Nautical and tropical and so fresh. And it feels wonderful.
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| Zoris, CVS |
Of course I had to choose stripes for my first foray back into knits! Managed them pretty well, only the one side drifts down a bit :-)
I sewed a size 14, it worked very well. While there is a lot of volume in the gathered parts of the dress, the neckline, armhole, back, and bust really do rely on using a correct size.
Are you as wary as I was about sewing jersey knit? Here is what I learned along the way, maybe it will help you too!
Seams: I started with a 5/8" seam, which I hand-basted together. I sewed the seam using a narrow zigzag stitch (length 2.0, width 2.0) with reduced tension on the upper thread. Then I pressed the seam, trimmed it, and serged the edges together to finish.
The 'collar' has fusible interfacing. This sent me off on a google search...what to use for a lightweight knit? I get so frustrated when I read things like 'a fusible weft interfacing will work well....'. So here is what I used, and it worked great!
Hem: Fear not! I always look for a simple approach :-) So I zigzagged the hem, letting the entire stitch be on the fabric. And pressed it flat to sink the stitches.
Then I applied 1/2" Steam-a-Seam to the the hem edge, on top of the zigzag. I turned the hem up and topstitched using a length of 3.0 and released upper thread tension. This worked great!
Here you can see the zigzag and topstitching on the inside....
And the outside of the same area...
And the product itself:
So color me happy :-)
Hasta luego! Coco
great looking dress I love how it looks Great job!!
ReplyDeletegreat looking dress I love how it looks Great job!!
ReplyDeleteSo light and airy- I love it. I think I need to scope out the steam a seam!
ReplyDeleteThank you! and yes, check it out, great stuff, I have it in 1/2" and 1/4" widths. Of course, I'm only a bit OCD, I would have it in colors too if available!
DeleteI have been thinking about your succulents collection all morning, must do some research, am thinking my gazebo needs more (have two now). As for promenading, I wish...instead I was fleeing during most of this photo session - early morning to beat the heat and humidity, but the denizens of the night seemed to think I was breakfast! Or a mosquito treat :-)
ReplyDeletePatio dress! It is pretty and you look cool and comfy in it.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Mary. A cruise is a only a wish but I do have such a pretty patio and garden. Would you believe that
Deletemosquitos do not bite me? They buzz me but apparently I am not their favorite treat. My fav spot for summer is my screened lanai :-) can read, blog, watch the critters in the garden...come winter i'll be back under the gazebo...
Coco, Thank you so much for taking the time to provide your "knit tips"! I'm going to copy/paste and print these for future reference so that I can tackle those cotton jersey knits in my stash! Have a GREAT day! :)
ReplyDelete