Hello to you all; by way of introduction, I’m Fruzzle, I’m something of a novice sewer but have been having a lot of fun over the past year and a half since I invested in a machine.
My current project is from Simplicity pattern 5003 (you can see it here). I’m making the D top (sleeveless, without the flare at the hips).
In the pattern, the top is cut wide so that it can be pulled on over the head and then the waistline is gathered with a tie. I’d like to adjust the pattern so that instead of the tie, there is elasticized gathering at the back. I’d love to hear from folks who have done something similar. My first thought was to try a shirring technique with elastic thread, but I’m not sure if I’ll get enough of a gather from that kind of technique to give a nice waistline to the garment. If I were to use something like a sew-through sports elastic, would I want to add a lining to the bottom panel? (The top panels of the garment are self-lined to create a facing.)
Any ideas or tips would be very welcome!
Replies
I would think that the shirring technique would work well for you, Do you have some scraps you can practice on? You would need to try multiple rows to get the effect you after. Remember that when you hand wind elastic thread onto your bobbin you can wind it rather tightly or looser. Try it different ways and see which works with your fabric.
Thanks, Sue; I'll have a play with some elastic thread wound tight, and see if it gives me enough gather.
Just popping back in to say that this seems to have worked very well, and thanks for your help!
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