Thursday, July 23, 2009

Simplicity 2922 - In silk

Dress is done. I really like it. I think it's a great simple pattern for this silk. This is another fabric my husband brought back from Houston. Here I have my helpers who wanted to be in the photos. Yes, we wear pants with our princess dresses. It's summer but it's only about 54 degrees F out there.

The silk was one piece with a loooong painted section and a shorter section. I put the shorter section on the front and the longer section on the back. I did cut a short section of it off because it went on for another 8".


Here it is without the helpers. You can see the front motif ends at about the belt.



It's hand-painted silk and it's supposed to be bamboo leaves. It has a little bit of white and gold in it. This is the true color of the green.

It was really hard to get close-ups of this fabric. It is very matte but when it sees a flash it suddenly looks shiny. This is a close-up of the hem and print. It's really hard to photograph close-up.


Seeing as I went to the Claire Shaeffer class on Sunday, I wanted to practice one of her techniques. This technique uses interfacing in the hem to add a little weight and to smooth things out. For reference, I used a 2" hem. The interfacing is a scant 2". I actually used bias tape I had in my stash. It was the perfect width and it was already on the bias. First you use a blind hem stitch to stitch the interfacing to the hem. You attach them at the hemline. ETA: Claire said you can use anything from a fine silk organza to horsehair canvas to support the hem. The key thing is that is must be on the bias so you get a nice curve. She also said you could interface as high as you want. She specifically mentioned a full-length dress. She said she might interface to above the knee so the dress didn't "break" under the knee. I think she means that it will fall smoothly all the way down to the floor when you sit or walk. She was full of so many good tips and stories. I want to try to use her techniques in the coming weeks so I can always remember them. Well, and I keep a sample book with samples of stitches and notes. I refer back to it often when I'm doing things like welt pockets, welt buttonholes, hemming, etc.


Then you fold up the hem and do another blind hem stitch.


I added some red so you can see the pattern of stitches. On something thicker, you would use a blind catchstitch. It's stronger than this stitch.

26 comments:

goodworks1 said...

Very nice! Kudos to you for coming up with such great ways to use the fabrics your dh finds for you! And so quickly, too!

I love the photo of your helpers!

Lisa said...

Beautiful !!! I love what you have done with this very pretty Silk . I wish I could sew and blog as fast as you . I love your gorgeous helpers too .

kiltsnquilts said...

Your dh has got great taste! Beautiful fabric and a great way to use it! did Claire Shaeffer use interfacing cut on the bias or on the straight greain?

Myra said...

Wonderful fabric, did it come from High Fashion? I bought silk there once to have a dress made for SIL's wedding. The store is in "Chinatown", really Vietnamese. (I am from Houston).

Sew-Ann said...

Man I would love to find some fabric as nice as this. You did a fabulous job using the fabric's design elements in your design of the dress.

poplin said...

This is a great looking dress!

I want to make one!

Dana said...

Love the way you used the print on this dress! Nice work.

Amy said...

That is gorgeous! One of my favorite colors and I love that painted design! Your helps are cute too :)

judy said...

This is really nice!

Rose said...

Awesome dress and charming helpers! Also, I like your new banner!!

Anonymous said...

Love the hem tutorial. Thanks.

The dress looks great. I would love a silk dress--nice change from the cotton that I usually make.

How is the macaron coming along. I have one in process at the moment! I can't decide if I should add the sleeve or leave it sleeveless!

Amanda S. said...

Very very pretty. That is the perfect simple dress for the painted silk and I LUV the color!

Bunny said...

You have definitely done this lovely fabric justice. The girls are darling.

Renee said...

Beautiful dress. Great pairing of fabric and pattern!

marysews said...

Boo-tee-ful! oopsy, little girl talk ...

Lisa said...

Love the dress, but your two helpers are even better!

Jenny said...

Soooooo pretty. Love that fabric!

toy said...

this fabric is unbelieveable, such a beautiful piece, great dress

Sara said...

So pretty! Great fabric, and great placement of the motif.

waikikimum said...

That is such a beautiful dress and it looks fantastic on you.How do you sew your garments so quickly? I love what you do!

Gay McDonell said...

Cute dress, cute kids! Great little hint on the hem technique, thanks!

Sharon Sews said...

Adorable! Both the dress and the helpers!

Paulette said...

Lovin' the dress!! Great job on the hem....you should send that to Claire for "grading!"

BTW...LOVIN' the white feet!! nice tan lines!! Hee hee!!!

I know...you'll get even with me for something...even if it is karma...I'll sew something together wrong. ;)

Vicki said...

I am so jealous that you get to learn directly from Claire! Your dress is lovely and your helpers are so cute :)

Cennetta said...

Great looking dress. I like the shape of the yoke and the fabric is to die for. Your hubby has great taste in fabric, and your little helpers are adorable.

Cennetta said...
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