Sewing Related - The Princess Dress

[partiallysunny]

Front:

Back:


My neice gasped in "aw". It was the reaction I was hoping for

Unfortunately, it was too big. I used her measurements on the chart... oh well. She'll grow into it.

[captainmel]

It looks great! I bet she will wear it even though it is too big. You did a great job with the sewing.

[partiallysunny]

Thanks, Mel. I did cheat a little. I had fabric for a lining, but I didn't end up lining the top, just the skirt. I bought a chiffon for the lining (it was soft and pretty, okay!) and it was too difficult to work with. Lesson learned.

Thanks for the tips on the zipper. I think it came out alright.

[captainmel]

I think the zipper looks really nice. I cannot remember the last time I put in a non invisible zipper. You will start loving them.

I hate lining things in chiffon. I did the sleeves on my Arwen dress with layeres of chiffon and they were such a pain in the ass. I almost only ever line things in cotton or plain lining.

[partiallysunny]

Lol, it was suppose to be an invisible zipper. I have no idea what I did wrong. I made do.

[captainmel]

It looks mostly invisible. Also, your niece loves it which is the most important part!

Did you press it before you put it in? Sometimes I have to adjust my needle position so that I can get the stitches right next to the zipper teeth.

[partiallysunny]

 no

[Muddled]

Is there embroidery at the bottom?

I'm glad she loves it! It will look great with a tiara!

[partiallysunny]

Not embroidery (though I do know how to embroider).

It's the lace overlay on the top. I cut pieces from the lace, placed to form a pattern and hand sewed onto the skirt. It's took me longer than I thought it would, but I really enjoyed doing it.

[captainmel]

Pressing it will totally solve your problem for next time! I have a zipper to put into a skirt today. I can PIP what it needs to look like when it is pressed when I get to that step later if you want.

[captainmel]

Also, did you do the lace on the skirt by hand? It is gorgeous! I haven't sewn any lace for a while because last time I did lace I thought I was going blind. It is so pretty.

[partiallysunny]

Please, mel! I would love if you did that for me. Thank you so much.

I'm not sure what you mean by "sewn lace". It's the lace overlay (on the top) cut out and hand sewed to the skirt. I didn't make the lace or anything.

[captainmel]

I will in a bit.

I just mean I haven't made anything with lace for a while because the tiny holes in lace make my eyes crazy. I even use old lady reading glasdes and I still struggle a lot with it. The hand work on the skirt piece looks really great.

[partiallysunny]

Ah, I was afraid you thought I had made the lace. Thanks, mel.

[captainmel]

partiallysunny - here are your zipper pics!x

This is what the zipper looks like when you first take it out of the package. Set your iron on medium heat because if it is too hot it will melt the zipper teeth.



Gah, I have to do this in more than one post. Look below for the next couple of pictures.

[captainmel]

You have to press it so that the teeth lie flat on your ironing board. This basically involves you forcing them the opposite of the way they came. Once you press it the sides should look like this.

[captainmel]

Once you get both sides flat you should be able to zip up the zipper and have it look like this.



Then you can just put it in the exact same way as you did on the princess dress. Pressing it will allow your stitches to go right next to the teeth of the zipper so that you don't get any tape showing on the sides.

[captainmel]

Also, River wanted to help you with your zipper too.

[captainmel]

[partiallysunny]

Thank you so much, mel!

And River, of course.

[captainmel]

No problem! I love sewing and I love helping other people sew. Let me (and River) know if you have any other questions.

[Deleted]

How pretty @partially sunny!