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From: jasmad
Date: 09-04-2005, 10:01 PM (1 of 4)
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Hi, I have only been sewing for a couple of months. The dresses that I am making for my girls to wear for my brother's wedding are adorable. The problem is I liked a fabric that wasn't meant for the dress. I bought it and it is a hard fabric to gather without breaking the thread. Is there another kind of thread I could use that would be stronger, and not break as easily. Or is there and easier way to gather? It is a overskirt that is very large and is only supposed to go from mid front to mid back. Any suggestions would be great. THANKS ALOT!!! jasmad 
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User: jasmad
Member since: 09-04-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 09-04-2005, 10:54 PM (2 of 4)
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Hi jasmad, Welcome to Sew Whats New. What pattern are you using and what kind of material are you using. This would help us all figure out what the problem may be. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-05-2005, 05:33 AM (3 of 4)
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Go down to the local discount store and purchase some very light weight fishing line. I usually get 2 lb test. If you happen to have a foot that has a hole in it, this can be very easy because you can feed your line through the hole to hold it for you. What you do is you feed your fishing line on the 5/8 mark of your machine and zig zag over it. When you are through you can adjust the fabric like you do curtains on a rod. You can use a heavier line and if you don't have a good foot for this it will work better. You'll just have to be sure that you pull out the line when you finish. I like the two pound test because it is so light that I don't have to worry about pulling it out. There are a lot of things you can use instead: dental floss, kite string, crochet thread. The advantage of the line is that it is clear and smooth. If your fabric is very heavy, it may not gather into a pretty skirt. You may have cut down the fullness in the top to get rid of some of the bulk. Measure one piece of your top pattern (minus any darts)...just measure across the top at the bottom between the seamlines. Then measure across your skirt. You'll usually get something like the skirt is 2-2 1/2 times (or more) the width of your pattern. Take a couple of left over strips of your fabric and try to gather something to it in the same ratio. (The longer the length of the piece, the better). You'll only use a basting stitch, you won't ruin it. You may even just want to take pins and mark the beginning and end of your gather so you don't have to cut it. Take a piece of say (I don't know) maybe 8 inch fabric and gather a piece that is 16 inches or 20 inches (depending upon you ratio) and gather it to it. Look at the bulk and see if it is too much. You can also do this with the "real skirt" if you just baste it to the garment first instead of sewing (just so it is easy to rip out). The heavier your fabric the less gather you need. It is nothing for something like Chiffon to be 4-5 times the width of the waist. 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 |
From: shediditagen
Date: 09-05-2005, 11:21 AM (4 of 4)
| Is the overskirt suppose to be only on one half of the skirt? What pattern are you using? |
User: shediditagen
Member since: 03-15-2005 Total posts: 28 |
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