Before you sew the gathered piece to the straight piece, carefully press the gathers above the lowest gathering line. That will facilitate sewing the two pieces together and avoid pleats that might get sewn into the seam.
fotofashion

I guess the costumes were lovely. The videos left much to be desired in viewing them. A second here a second there. If we are to vote, I'd like to SEE the costumes.
fotofashion

The turn of the hem will look much better if the seam is pressed open first then turned and pressed into place.
I assume that the contrasting fabric used in the article had two purposes. One is that a contrasting fabric can be a "fashion statement". The other is to show what is being done.
Beverly A.

Uh, it is kind of amusing that the column does not have any avatars to represent men.
fotfashion

I have owned several machines throughout the years, some bought new, some used. I have only depended on a dealer when I bought my first serger and this was when sergers were new to the home market. I bought a Brother for embroidery on line, got a good price and it came complete in-the-box. I really haven't much use for a dealer at this time either because I have no intention to buy a new machine. My two Pfaffs, the Brother, my Elna serger (yes, the original one), my Babylock hemmer and my Brother Coverstitch all are doing just fine, thank you. Now, you might say, wow, what does she have against dealers. Plenty. Send your machine to be checked out, find out all they did was to sock it full of grease when it needed a new motor. Take it to a dealer for a checkup and find out some months later that not only does it not work correctly but they also removed a special stitch I had installed years ago. (I know I should have checked it out upon bringing it home but I just went to my other Pfaff and stored away the one I had "fixed".) The only problem I am having right now is with my Pfaff serger. Get this: I took it to a dealer to be fixed and was told it could not be completely fixed, it was "too old" and the parts were not available. I don't think so. I'll search around on line and find a repair person with a good reputation and send it to him. I went back to this same place with my newer Pfaff SM and was told the repair person did not want to fix my machine because I was "too fussy". I took it elsewhere and after several months went to see about it. I got it back minus the threader. The repair person was on his honeymoon. I made my displeasure known (I did not get nasty) so I got my machine back fixed for free but minus the threader.
You would think there would be really good repair people in the are where I live but I haven't found him/her as yet. And I know I am not the exception. When I was studying Fashion Design in college, we talked among ourselves about this and others of my fellow students had the same sad experiences.
I sincerely hope you find your ideal dealer, I know I haven't found mine.
fotofashion

Learn how to best use the tools you have spent so much money for. Your ham, sleeve roll, point presser, different types of scissors, even your iron. Know the capabilities of your machines, sewing machine, serger, coverstitch machine, hemmer, etc. Really read the instruction manuals, keep them readily available and do some practice stitches-buttonholes especially.
Arrange adequate lighting for each area or machine, including over the ironing board. You need good light to cut, sew and press accurately.
Learn how to use a rotary cutter. Of course, you need a cutting mat for that purpose. But you will be surprised how much faster and more accurate your cutting out will be. I don't fool around with the little rinky-dinky one. I use the 60MM. The medium size is good for cutting out patterns after I print them up on my 36" plotter. I use Wild Ginger patternmaking software to make my patterns. NAYY
I keep my little tools, 6" ruler, pencils, pens, tracing wheels, etc. in a holder I got at a stationery store right on the cutting table. They don't get scattered all over the place and are readily accessible.
My sewing room is set up for MY needs. I am left-handed so the U shape starts with the cutting table at the extreme right, the sewing machine is to its left, the sergers, hemmer and coverstitch machine are to its left and the ironing board is at the top of the U. I use a rolling office chair to navigate between the machines and the ironing board which is set to use while seated. Each area has its own tools. So, I have several 6" rulers, several seam rippers, several scissors, several boxes of pins.
fotofashion

Kenneth: Do you have any idea as to the approximate age of the garment? The embroidery reminds me of the type the Lesage does.
fotofashion

My favorite is the Houston Quilt Show. I haven't attended for a couple of years but might just make the effort this year.

I should have looked at the website of the Vionnet exhibition before commenting. There IS a book offered in conjunction with the exhibit. Madeleine Vionnet, puriste de la mode. 304 pages,306 illustrations. 55 euros. ISBN: 978-2-916914-13-8
fotofashion

operadraper: Although the book I have is not generated by the exhibit, there is a book about Vionnet. It is entitled: Madeline Vionnet. Author is Betty Kirke. Publisher is Chronicle Books. ISBN 0-8118-1997-3 Warning, the book is rather expensive but it is not only about her fashions, it is about her, her life, her fashion business, etc. And it is a coffee table size.
I was fortunate to buy the book at a discounted price as it was offered to us in college studying Fashion Design.
fotofashion