Replies

1. 
   sewelegant | Apr 19, 2008 01:44am | #1

   This is probably a cynical reply, but, considering how often the dress is worn again according to statistics... I would pink the seams if they tend to fray or else leave them alone.  If you press the seams over a seam roll maybe the serging will not show through.  If the problem is that the sheerness of the fabric is going to let any seam show through I would think you would have to underline the fabric or accept a less than elegant finished product, what do you think?

2. 
   Crazy K | Apr 19, 2008 04:47am | #2

   I agree that these dresses won't have to stand up to many wearings and cleanings........however, if you must serge the edges I have read or heard somewhere the when you press, slide a piece of paper under the culprit stitches and press away.  The paper will keep the stitches from showing...........  I haven't used this method myself but it sounds plausible and it would be worth a try.

   Kay

3. 
   Betakin | Apr 19, 2008 01:40pm | #3

   Using a 2 thread overlock on your serger is recommended for fine fabrics, have you tried this and does it still show through?

4. 
   sewchris703 | Apr 19, 2008 06:18pm | #4

   Most rtw bridesmaid dresses are first stitched on the sewing machine and then the edges of the seam allowance (most often a 1" seam is used on the side seams) are overlocked separately, using a 2- thread or 3-thread stitch.  Also pressing the seam open before serging will keep the serged edge from showing on the right side.

   Chris

5. 
   Teaf5 | Apr 20, 2008 12:21am | #5

   I don't finish seams on polyester unless it obviously frays easily.  If it does, then I trim the seams to 1/4" (after all the fittings, of course), press them open from the wrong side, and then zigzag each side separately. 

   If the dress ever needs to be pressed again, I flip the seam allowances to one side so that they're never under the pressure of the iron from the right side.

1. 
   bss7 | Apr 24, 2008 05:11pm | #6

   Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.  

6. 
   dressed2atee | Apr 25, 2008 09:53pm | #7

   I never serge seams of garments that will be lined.  I would pink the seams and use a seam press.  Good luck, be sure to post pics of the finished gowns. :)

7. 
   tmorris1 | Apr 29, 2008 01:43pm | #8

   I am a stickler for construction, but would use french seams myself, that way the raw edge would be neatly encased inside the seam itself. The finish is quite nice, and not at all hard.T.

8. 
   Palady | May 03, 2008 08:31pm | #9

   >> ... serging threads show through when you press the seam, ... <<

   Read the above and a thought came to mind. 

   In my early sewing days (mid 1940's) mother insisted pressing always be done on the wrong side of the fashion.  Without EVER pressing over the seam it self.  If needed, the seam was pressed flat before the fashion was fitted on the ironing board.  As I approached the seam, I was to iron as near the stitching as I could, but was to avoid pressing over the seam for the very reason mentioned in the post.  It could imprint on the wearing side.

   Over the years, I soon found it the better to always iron the seam flat on the wrong side.  Once the fashion body was on the board, a segment of the piece was already completed. 

   For those instances, when wearing side ironing was necessary, visible pockets - trim - buttonholes - closure areas (zippers, snaps, hooks/eyes), a press cloth was mandatory.  Most often this was one of my father's worn, but laundered/bleached white cotton handkerchiefs.

   MO, little ironing is done these days and the finite approaches are unknown to many.  By finite I mean the manner in which a piece is done and techniques to accomplish the task.

   Does any other member follow my thought?

   Me