I am new to sewing. I want to make a lace overlay for a bodice of a simple evening dress (empire waist w/straps that you attach). I found some beautiful remnant lacy fabric that would be fantastic. How would I go about deciding how much to buy and can anyone tell me how I would do this if the pattern doesnt call for a lace overlay. I assume that what I would do is cut out bodice piece out of the lace fabric and then sew it onto the bodice piece. Am I on the right track? Any help appreciated.
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Replies
If you want the lace sewn into the waist then you would cut the bodice pieces out of lace as well as the dress material. Baste the lace onto the dress material and then treat the 2 as one.
The most accurate way to determine yardage is to lay out the pattern pieces. If you have some fabric the same width as the lace, use that. If not, fold a sheet to the width of the lace and lay out the pattern pieces.
Joanne
Thank you. This makes sense. So I would cut out a bodice from the lace fabric and baste in place on the right side of the bodice piece, then sew the seams?
Yes.
Joanne
Before you cut into the beautiful lace or the underlying fashion fabric, be sure to make a sample (muslin) of the bodice out of cheap fabric to make sure that it fits the way you want it to-- and make any necessary adjustments to the pattern. It's very difficult to make adjustments and alterations on lace afterward--changes in the fit will distort the lovely patterns or cause unsightly bumps and lumps.
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