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From: grandma C
Date: 05-21-2007, 12:25 PM (1 of 10)
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Some time ago I whined about a sundress I cut to narrow for my dgd. I have finaly made several alterations and have it fitting nicely except for the upper front and back. It hangs away from the front of her body. I detected this problem early on and used some ease stitching across the front but that didn't take it up enough. I could take a verticle dart just above each breast and at each shoulder blade. I think it would be prettier if I made tiny verticle tucks across the front and back. I am thinking 10 or 12 will do. The needed amount of alteration is 1 inch front and back. Here is the probllem. I have never done this before and am afraid to do it. Need any advice you folks can give me. Belinda/ Grandma C |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-22-2007, 06:58 AM (2 of 10)
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I don't quite understand why these dresses do this but it is a common problem. I've been running 1/4 inch elastic in the top of the facing of the dresses to make them snug to the body properly. It just seems that no matter what kind of physical alteration I make in the dresses (outside of the elastic), they just don't want to pull up against the body.
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: grandma C
Date: 05-22-2007, 12:40 PM (3 of 10)
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Pam I considered that and was afraid it would pull the armscye open in a way as to expose more of the chest than dgd would be comfortable with. How much do you tighten up the elastic. Is there a noticable gather or is it just like a bit more ease stitching drawn up. I have put elastic in the straps and they connect to the little bit of armscye there is. I was to impatient for a reply and put the tucks in across the front. I may take them back out. I think I did not evenly space them across the front though I measured marked and remeasured. We will see how it looks when she tries it on. Belinda |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-22-2007, 12:44 PM (4 of 10)
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It depends on the problem and the cut of the garment. I've put it just in the back, all the way around the bodice for some, and some just across the front. I usually make the casing, tack it in the garment, try it on the girl and pull until it just barely snug up to the body.
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: grandma C
Date: 05-22-2007, 01:54 PM (5 of 10)
| Thanks fo your prompt reply. Hopefully I will see Amanda tomorrow an try it on her again. Do you suppose the topstitching will provide a caseing for the elastic or will that put it to close to the fabric edge? |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 05-22-2007, 02:05 PM (6 of 10)
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Pam, what about the clear elastic tape that is 1/4"? I've used it on knits across the shoulders and was thinking about using the same thing to bring in the front of my daughters sundress that is gaping slightly at the front as well. Do you stretch it as you are sewing it in ?
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-22-2007, 02:16 PM (7 of 10)
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It usually doesn't take a lot to snug it up. If you are "good" at sewing in elastic without a casing then it should be just fine. I'd just cut it to the length needed and ease the top to fit the proper amount. If you have elastic that will fit in the top stitch area, I think that would be perfect. 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: paroper
Date: 05-22-2007, 02:18 PM (8 of 10)
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It usually doesn't take a lot to snug it up. If you are "good" at sewing in elastic without a casing then it should be just fine. I'd just cut it to the length needed and ease the top to fit the proper amount. If you have elastic that will fit in the top stitch area, I think that would be perfect. I usualy use the seam allowance, close that and run the elastic in the seam. In one case, there was a folded band that came down over the top of the dress. In that case, I ran it in the space between the lining and the interlining with the seam going through to the outside of the garment because it was covered by the folded fabric. 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: grandma C
Date: 05-26-2007, 11:26 AM (9 of 10)
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well , Pam your right as usual. Even though the tucks I put across the front of the dress did make it gap less its not yet just right. The elastic goes in next. I think since the straps a shirred on elastic and attach to the top right at the armscye, I will start the elastic in the armscye topstitching and run it through to the zipper in the back. that should pull a little on the straps and pull outward on the front top. I don't want to pull it toward the middle anymore than the tucks did. I am so pleased with the rest of the fit and the top front got some needed fullness from the tucks. Thanks so much for your help Pam.!!! SEWING IS SUCH A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE. WOOHOO!!!!! Grandma C/Belinda |
User: grandma C
Member since: 01-15-2007 Total posts: 263 |
From: paroper
Date: 05-26-2007, 11:27 AM (10 of 10)
|
Mostly sewing is a mind game.
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 |
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