Working with Embellished Fabrics, Part 2
It's time to finish up the embellished skirt...
In my previous post, "Working with Heavily Embellished Fabrics, Part 1," I shared how to plan and start with fabric encrusted with beads, sequins and embroidery. This post picks up after the side seams on a simple skirt are completed.
Here in Part 2, I will show you how to:
1. Stabilize the heavy fabric
2. Sew in the zipper
3. Use a facing for the hem
4. Sew and place the lining
5. Stitch the lining securely
6. Add a finishing touch
1. Now that both side seams have been machine sewn and catchstitched, it's time to stabilize the top edge of the skirt. Not only are these sorts of fabrics tricky to deal with because of the embellishments, their heaviness can be problematic as well. You want to do whatever is necessary to keep things from stretching, pulling, and becoming misshapen.
In addition to thoroughly tacking a silk organza underlining to the fashion fabric, baste a strip of silk organza selvedge (one of my favorite stabilizing tools) close to the top edge. 
This is a quick way to keep the waistline from pulling out of shape--and as the silk organza is sheer and lightweight, it doesn't add any bulk.
Trim down the seam allowance (in this case, the area above the waistline) and remove the beads (just as with the side seams). Fold the seam allowance down, clip it so that it follows the contours of the skirt, and catchstitch it to the silk organza. Press the reinforced edge on a ham, to mimic the contours of the waistline.
2. Put the zipper in by hand.
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Susan Khalje, contributor Posted on Feb 15th, 2010 in garment construction, how-to, fabric, embellishments
Comments (15)
Posted: 9:27 pm on April 12th
I just wish I ran across fabric like this- absolutely gorgeous!
Posted: 9:38 pm on October 26th
Where did she get this fabric?????
With such a magnificent - I'm really surprised that she didn't first underlinethe pieces before construction! I can't think of a garment which would have benefited more. Adding it later seems like such a headache compared to first reinforcing and protecting the fabric this way. I was taught a well constructed garment is ALWAYS underlined! (the true meaning of the term "underling", BTW) Unless it's too fine, draped, or too casual/temporary, such as a child's Halloween costume. (Although, lame slips and unravels --- so even on a child's costume it's saved the day!) On anything this complex I wouldn't dream of doing LESS than that.
I wanted tomention this because if you are going to attempt this sort of project - it may make the job go more smoothly and preserve the finished garment longer.
Cheers :-)
Posted: 8:33 pm on April 19th
Thank you for such a fabulous tutorial; I love embellished/evening wear and have never tackled such a project; but I will now!
I am heading over to New York in April from my home in Turkey and hopefully I can pick up some stunning fabric to bring back with me. I also hope at some point to get over for a class or two or maybe join the trips you organize to Paris.
Thank you for sharing your immense talent.
The skirt is to die for!
Posted: 7:02 am on February 28th
Posted: 1:44 pm on February 22nd
Posted: 1:41 pm on February 22nd
first introduced to it almost 15 years ago. I signed up to take classes with you,had classes, roommate and everything paid for when got the terrible new my dear cousins cancer was terminal and I was to care for her to the end. You are not only very talented but I would like the readers to know you are also caring and compassionate. You refunded my money and personally called with your encouragement and concern. I have bought your books and learned a lot,but regret never meeting you and learning from you. Thank you again. Sincerely, Carol Kulick
Posted: 8:25 pm on February 18th
Posted: 5:46 pm on February 17th
Posted: 10:23 am on February 17th
- I stand by my no-smashing-of-beads policy (see my longer comment in part 1)
- I got the fabric at Mendel-Goldberg in New York
- I don't do any extra machine stitching with the zipper - I've found that double thread, coated with beeswax and then pressed, really is strong enough; kind of amazing, but if you ever take one of those zippers out, then you realize how sturdy they are
- and the basting that holds the fashion fabric to the underlining stays in; it's done so that very little thread is on the public side of the fabric (nothing to snag); almost all of the threads, therefore, is on the inside
- and finally, I trained in couture in New York, at a wonderful small couture house called Chez Cez et Bez. Sadly, it's no longer there, but I use what I was taught there every time I sew.
Posted: 3:10 pm on February 16th
Posted: 10:01 am on February 16th
I used to do after five and bridal alterations and this was the way I was taught to remove embellishments if needed.
That way no snipped threads to miss.
Posted: 8:37 am on February 16th
This is a beautifully written and documented piece-thank you! I suggest that before doing the hand stitch on the zipper, you make a machine stitch thru the seam allowance and zipper tape only, not the outer layer of the skirt. Then make the hand pick stitching for the zipper. The machine stitch helps you get a smooth application, and is good insurance in case the pickstitch gets broken. This is the method I learned while working as a patternmaker at Geoffrey Beene. Your buttonhole stitch on the hook and eye is impeccable. Well done! Where did you train?
Best, Gail Gondek
Posted: 1:23 am on February 16th
Is the basting that holds the underlining to the fashion fabric removed? Considering the weight of the fabric and the fact that there are only the two side seams I am wondering about it stretching and sagging particularly in the back.
Ditto with the organza selvedge.
Thanks
Posted: 9:25 pm on February 15th
Posted: 7:33 pm on February 15th
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