I wanted to make K a t-shirt dress sort of like a mini skater. I saw pattern #26 Pumpkin Pie Jersey Dress in Ottobre 06/2013 and knew it had potential. Why buy a new pattern when you can use one you already have, right?
(apparently I can't take a straight picture lol)
I traced the bottom front skirt (piece 3) and used it as both front and back for lower skirt in it's entirety, not as pieces. I also traced the bodice front (piece 1) from the center front on just one side to make it possible to cut 1 piece on the fold. I cut the back bodice on the fold too - not adding seam allowances to that center line. I made the sleeves short sleeves because we are hopefully on the warm up around here.
When sewing I assembled just like my lady skater dress and used clear elastic tape in the waist part. This fabric is a rib knit but stiffer because of the orange print. I didn't' want the waist to stretch out or sag. The shoulders have fusible stay tape and I opted for my normal neckline of folding the strip in half, sewing it, then flipping and top-stitching it down.
I sewed a size 140 for the bodice, sleeves, and top of the skirt panel. I then graded out to a 146 near the hip to bottom of the skirt. I also tried a hollow chest adjustment in the front bodice by darting 1/4" out. I think it fits her much better in the top. I love the overall fit - it has a 60s mod appeal to me. I'll definitely be making this again for her and love that the actual dress pattern uses different fabric pieces (awesome for using up scraps). I would say that I fit this on 1 yard of 55 ish inch wide fabric.
I used my new cover stitch machine on all hems, the top-stitching on the neckline, and top-stitching the waist seam. Wow! I love that thing. This saved so much time on this dress. And it sews sooooo fast - I need to get a bit better with my control of it, but man I love that thing. (does anyone with a brother 2340 know how to make the looper thread a little tighter? I've tried the looper on 9 with needles on 3, then 8, then switched it to looper on 3 and needles on 8. I'm ok with how they are now but would prefer them just a bit tighter.)
I also whipped up this pair of pj shorts out of the craziest piece of scrap. (pattern Jalie 3243) It was only as wide as each leg and very long. I would have to say it made up about 1/2 yard out of the stash. K has a kwik sew nightgown in this fabric and she is also happy to have the print in shorts.
Now that the cover stitch is set up I am chomping at the bit to sew a million things. :-) It's almost too bad that I have to make K an Easter dress because I'd rather sew so many other things.
March Totals:
Stash used: 1.5 yard
Fabric Out: 20.5 yards + 11 scrap pounds
Fabric In: 9 yards
Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 14.5 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 74.5 yards!
Fabric in 2014: 64 yards
~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~
Love it! I've looked at that pattern several times, but not having a variety of fabrics to use, I keep passing it up. I love your idea. More and more I'm trying to look at the patterns I have and alter instead of buying new. So when ottobre calls for elastic at the waist, it is used to gather as well as stabilize? I don't quite understand how to do it and be successful at it. I tried once but failed. If you use a serger, I guess you have to be careful to not cut it all off but cover it enough where it doesn't scratch the tummy?
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley :) excellent questions on the clear elastic. In this dress I used it to stabilize and put it 1/4" to 1/2" below the edge of the fabric when I sewed it on with my regular machine. I used a zig-zag (2.5 length and width) and tried my hardest not to stretch it, LOL. Then I sewed the bodice and bottom together with my sewing machine, then serged up to the stitching line. This leaves most of the elastic tape there. It does touch the skin and we are all allergic to latex so it is a tad itchy. That stinks. K usually wears a tank under her stuff though anyway so she doesn't notice. My lady skater bothered me a bit though. So I'm still trying to find a way!
DeleteOh! I wanted to add, I've put it on with my serger before too and just turned off my cutting knife. Then I butted the edge of the clear elastic up to the edge of the fabric and away I went. This had a bit of success because then the serge covers the elastic and it doesn't really touch the skin. Hmm. Now I almost wish I had done that here! LOL. That stuff is tricky for sure
DeleteThanks for the explanation Kristin. There is still so much to learn about sewing; that is why I love this craft so much. It is awesome to pass on the knowledge to my girls too. I saw a blouse in the store yesterday and showed it to one of my girls. She said "that would be so easy to make." Then I showed her the price tag and her jaw dropped. I said, "and that is why I sew." :) I didn't buy the kids' skater pattern because the size range wasn't high enough. I'd have one in it and one that wouldn't fit, so I could justify the cost. And that is why I love Ottobre!
DeleteLOL I love that. But then again Kiela now thinks I can make her everything.... ;-)
DeleteI love that fabric and, you're right, it's just like the skater. Actually, you have better size options.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't going to be helpful, but I've had my coverstitch maybe 6 years and have almost always set all the dials at 4 or 5 (unless I was doing some specialty stitch).
Thanks Joy! It is very loud and cheerful :)
DeleteThe size option is very nice because K is at the top of the actual skater sizes. I still have plenty more to go in Ottobre.
And yes, it does help knowing how yours is set. Is your looper looser like in my one hem picture?
That is so cute! You have to make the scrappy one - I love that!
ReplyDeleteI have the Brother coverstitch machine, and I haven't noticed any tensioning problems with the looper - I usually have all my dials set at either 3 or 4, depending on the weight of the fabric. But I have figured out some tricks over time that make the whole thing a lot easier. I've been considering doing a blog post about it but wasn't sure how much interest there would be, since so few people have coverstitch machines. But maybe I'll go ahead with it anyway :-)
Thanks Gail :) I hope to make that one too - when I find enough coordinating pieces.
DeleteThanks for the info on the settings, I'll have to try mine all at 3. I would love to read a blog post about your tricks!
Adorable..and looks so cute on K.
ReplyDeleteHappy sewing.
Thanks Judy :D
DeleteThis is super adorbs. You always have the most wonderful printed fabrics.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you're having fun with the coverstitch!
Thanks Aleksandra :D I hunt them down... constantly! LOL
DeleteSo cute! That print has 'summer' written all over it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Philippa :) Now we just need the summer part! LOL
Delete