Nicey Jane
Look how Easter is sneaking up on us in March! Are you making anything for your celebrations?
My girlie and I settled on a fabric for her Easter dress just in the nick of time. She's 11 now, and as much as she still craves handmade dresses, she has very clear ideas on colors and fabrics. Everything she was drawn to had a black or midnight blue background with bright, bold colors. For Easter? For spring? I couldn't do it! We compromised on something not pink (per Aria) and not dark (per mom). Yes, it's Nicey Jane to the rescue! The reprint of these popular vintage-inspired florals is in stock at Lark Cottons. What could be more fitting for blooming spring days?
I am remaking a dress I cobbled together about two years ago, altering the Geranium dress bodice to have a higher neckline, longer (non empire) bodice and fuller skirt. This time we're working from a size 10. As per usual, I cannot restrain myself to just one fabric in the makings of a dress. The patchworker in me wins out!
This time I've joined my contrast fabric to the main fabric with a finished seam that I find I like even more than a French seam. You sew a normal 1/2" seam, press it open, then press the seam allowances under so that the raw edges are tucked inside a 1/4" doublefold on either side of the seam. Last, you finish with a scant 1/4" topstitch on each side of the pressed open seam, sewn from the right side. This sews down the double folded seam allowances, creating a flat, secure join with no raw edges. This seam is much flatter than a French. According to my apparel sewing book, it's just called a "self finished seam". Maybe if it had a sexier name it would be more in vogue (wink).
Construction notes: Cut (2) 16" WOF for skirt main and (2) 10" WOF for skirt contrast. Cut (1) 6.5" WOF for bodice contrast. Add 2.5" to bodice length at waist. Don't forget to cut the bodice lining pieces with 2.5" longer waist length too.
Well, I best get back to Nicey Jane. Wishing you a nicey kind of day!
My girlie and I settled on a fabric for her Easter dress just in the nick of time. She's 11 now, and as much as she still craves handmade dresses, she has very clear ideas on colors and fabrics. Everything she was drawn to had a black or midnight blue background with bright, bold colors. For Easter? For spring? I couldn't do it! We compromised on something not pink (per Aria) and not dark (per mom). Yes, it's Nicey Jane to the rescue! The reprint of these popular vintage-inspired florals is in stock at Lark Cottons. What could be more fitting for blooming spring days?
I am remaking a dress I cobbled together about two years ago, altering the Geranium dress bodice to have a higher neckline, longer (non empire) bodice and fuller skirt. This time we're working from a size 10. As per usual, I cannot restrain myself to just one fabric in the makings of a dress. The patchworker in me wins out!
This time I've joined my contrast fabric to the main fabric with a finished seam that I find I like even more than a French seam. You sew a normal 1/2" seam, press it open, then press the seam allowances under so that the raw edges are tucked inside a 1/4" doublefold on either side of the seam. Last, you finish with a scant 1/4" topstitch on each side of the pressed open seam, sewn from the right side. This sews down the double folded seam allowances, creating a flat, secure join with no raw edges. This seam is much flatter than a French. According to my apparel sewing book, it's just called a "self finished seam". Maybe if it had a sexier name it would be more in vogue (wink).
Construction notes: Cut (2) 16" WOF for skirt main and (2) 10" WOF for skirt contrast. Cut (1) 6.5" WOF for bodice contrast. Add 2.5" to bodice length at waist. Don't forget to cut the bodice lining pieces with 2.5" longer waist length too.
Well, I best get back to Nicey Jane. Wishing you a nicey kind of day!