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| Me not fully happy. |
Pattern: Maria Denmark Audrey Dress – I bought it because it is a beginners pattern and that was exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, after having bought the pattern, I found a nightgown in my wardrobe that has exactly the same cut.
front with belt |
back |
So perfect conditions to sew a non-perfect jersey dress with
my overlocker!
Fitting: I was not sure if you have to fit a jersey dress!
So I just went ahead without doing so. But as you might know: Yes you have to
fit it! At least for sloping shoulders and sway back! You can see that my
shoulder seams are not on my shoulders and there is a slight pile of fabric on
my upper back.
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| The seam should be at my finger tips. |
Construction: Super easy and fast (at least the stages with the overlocker). I even managed to sew/serge the sleeves in – but it was really scary to sew the curve! I just love the finished seams, yeah.
When topstitching the neck facing and sleeve bands it was time to switch to my sewing machine. And this was not a pleasant experience at all. I decided to use the twin needle because I had never used it before and because I wanted a nice finish. I followed the instructions of my sewing machine manual and got started. No problems with the neckline but loads with the sleeve band and hem!
My needle started to skip stitches and there was nothing I could do about it. I tried re-threading – no success. It didn’t happen that often when I sewed really slowly (I think a snail might have been faster), so that is what I did. You can imagine, the hem took me ages. Are you wondering why I used my sewing machine and not my overlocker for the hem? That was because I didn’t manage to serge a rolled hem –yet.
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| I made use of my twin needle - here it was working properly - no skipped stitches. |
Have I worn it yet? Does it count that I have worn it at home all Sunday? I am not sure I will leave the house with it because somehow the fabric (not only the pattern) reminds me of a nightdress as well. What do you think? Is it wearable outside? Or would you hide it under a blanket?
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| Cold, cold baby... |
Will I make it again? I think you can anticipate the answer to this question already! Nope! But I will take it as a basis to make other jersey dresses. I found these really helpful and cool tutorials from madmin and onelittleminuteblog where they explain how to make your own jersey dress pattern and actually a lot of the jersey dresses I am wearing in autumn have this pattern!
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Last word: I am sure this pattern is a lovely pattern and I have seen lovely versions from it on the internet, but I think I was just unlucky with the fabric and also with the style hence my slightly negative post.
the lady's skater dress. I would suggest because most have had success with it.
ReplyDeletehttp://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/2013/06/womens-skater-dress-pattern.html
I think your dress looks nice. I really like it with the scarf and belt. It visually adds interest.
I also get nervous sewing those sleeve edges! The curves freak me out but they usually turn out great.
Thanks for your suggestion with the lady skater dress. I am eying it already ;) and I can't wait to get more practice!
DeleteYou intuitively caught on to the trick of going very slowly when using your machine's twin needle on the conventional machine - good for you! The first couple of jersey pieces I made were also with cheap fabric and I considered them practice pieces - things I will wear around the house or even to bed but not out in public. Whenever I try something new, I tell myself that my skill level will eventually catch up to my taste. Fabric choices have stymied me at times. If I think something looks like a nightgown, I just wear it to bed! The cut of the dress is quite cute but it's possible that struggling with the fabric made you dislike it? Since I'm only seeing the finished photos, I don't have that prejudice. I think it looks good. You might try making the pattern again with a more stable knit or a rayon with a beautiful drape to see if you like it better that way.
ReplyDeletePhew, I am glad you actually have to sew slowly with the twin needle because otherwise I wouldn't know what I did wrong. And I am also glad that I am not the only one who makes dresses that turn to out to be better for bed, hihi. Thank you for your fabric suggestions - I still have to learn loads about them. More fabric shopping, yeah!
DeleteOh, I nearly forgot to mention that when attaching sleeves, bindings, collars, whatever, to knits that I always baste before I overlock. That way I can check to see if I got the ease in correctly and I'm not cutting away the seam allowance with the knife, which cannot be undone.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great tip! Because I really thought, what am I going to do if it does not fit? The seam allowance would have been gone already. No room for mistakes!
DeleteI like the body of the dress, but I see what you mean about it looking like a nightgown. I think the contrasting cuffs add to this effect because that somehow seems like a typical pajama finish. Maybe if you removed them and turned up the sleeve hem it would be better?
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen for your tip! I think I am not going to remove them from this dress, but the next dress will be definitely without! i just have to look up the ways how you usually finish sleeves of jersey garments and then I am ready to go!
DeleteI think your dress looks great, and I am so impressed at your jersey sewing skills! I've had my overlocker about two years, and am yet to sew any knits on it. I got a great book on sewing knits a few months ago. It's called Sew U Home Stretch, The Built By Wendy Guide to Sewing Knit Fabric. I got in it The Works for £3.99 (the sticker is still on the front!). It has three Simplicity patterns in it, and instructions on how to make them into lots of different looks. I have read it, and it's a really good book which basically teachs you how to sew knits, but I just haven't tried it out yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your recommendation Lynne! I just cheked out the book at amazon and although not available in the UK, I can order it from the US.
DeleteI hope you feel confident enough soon to start sewing knits! They will be perfect for winter :)
It looks great! If you wear it with a belt and black leggings it won't look like a nightgown..
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hm, black leggings - I might give it a try :)
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