Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: thanson68
Date: 06-15-2005, 07:56 PM (1 of 9)
|
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=5][COLOR=Navy] Could someone please tell me how to make the upper-part of the sun-back dress material we used to buy back in the 80's. The top-part (like a stretchy tube top) fits snugly from under your arms and extends down over your breasts about 7-9 inches, and the bottom part flows freely to your desired length. Usually to make the straps, you just cut off a couple inches from the bottom before hemming and then sew it on the top for your shoulder straps. With these dresses, you really only need to wear a light-weight strapless bra if you wear anything at all. It's like many, many rows of elastic paralell to eachother and they are about a quarter inch apart and are sewn all the way around your upper body, but I'm not really sure how to do this. There is usually ONE seam in the whole dress and that is the seam that runs down the center of your back! Could someone please give advice? I would like to start on this tonight. Thanks in advance! |
User: thanson68
Member since: 08-05-2002 Total posts: 16 
|
From: dmoses
Date: 06-15-2005, 09:36 PM (2 of 9)
|
I think you would use elastic thread in the bobbin, something like this Elastic thread in bobbin (http://sewing.about.com/library/sewnews/qa/aaqa0202a.htm) Hope this helps. Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
|
From: thanson68
Date: 06-15-2005, 10:01 PM (3 of 9)
THAT is exactly what I was talking about. Thankyou so much. I really needed the advice, as I am planning on making 2-3 of these dresses for the Summer. Thankyou SO MUCH!
|
User: thanson68
Member since: 08-05-2002 Total posts: 16
|
From: dmoses
Date: 06-15-2005, 10:10 PM (4 of 9)
You're very welcome!  I'm always happy to help.
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
|
From: SummersEchos
Date: 06-15-2005, 10:45 PM (5 of 9)
|
Okay so this has been puzzling me when we talk about this. How much fabric would you use to make a sundress? I am talking about the shirring part. Would you double the amount of your chest measurment? To make it easy if the chest was 30" would you use 60" plus seam allowenece? Just am mixed up on this part of the whole thing. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: esrun3
Date: 06-15-2005, 11:32 PM (6 of 9)
|
No answer for you Summer altho that sounds about right. I'm sure someone will be along with an answer. Too bad they don't sell the fabric already shirred anymore-they used to and you could make summer dresses up in a snap! One seam, couple straps & a hem. Lyn
|
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: weezyrider
Date: 06-16-2005, 12:52 PM (7 of 9)
|
Check the requirements for smocking. You might need 2 + times fabric . Or sew a test strip - measure it before and after. Weezy |
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
|
From: SummersEchos
Date: 06-16-2005, 11:36 PM (8 of 9)
|
Thank You Ladies, I think I will try a test strip first. I thought we had the instructions on the home page but I guess not. Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: paroper
Date: 06-17-2005, 08:52 AM (9 of 9)
|
There is also shirring tape that can be applied to the back of the dress. With that you would be able to estimate the amount of fabric I think because you stretch as you sew. I would expect that for the garment to look nice, you'd need to add anywhere from 2-2 1/2 times the width. If you don't get enough gather it looks rather anemic.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-16240.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft