Replies

1. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 11, 2006 12:15am | #1

   I can't see it, but could you underline the bodice?  Then you would have something to fasten facings to so they wouldn't show from the front? 

1. 
   kayrosie | Nov 11, 2006 12:39am | #2

   They really don't show but I am just not happy with them.  You can't pull up the pattern is that what you are saying. Sorry I thought you could.   I am thinking maybe I should get some horse hair and put it on first.  I just am not happy with the way it lays.

    

1. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 11, 2006 02:00am | #3

   I'm not sure I understand how you would put on the horsehair.  Sorry, I'm trying to see this in my mind.  With an underlining you wouldn't need to change the way you assemble the slits, etc., so that wouldn't complicate it any .

1. 
   kayrosie | Nov 11, 2006 04:02am | #4

   I guess I don't know what you mean a underlining.  My mind is not seeing this.   What is the difference between an underlining and a lining.

    

1. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 11, 2006 06:40am | #6

   An underlining is cut out just like the garment and then basted to the fashion fabric.  Then, the garment is assembled just as the pattern tells you to assemble the fashion fabric, (only you have 2 layers.)  It gives more stability, you can fasten facings, hems, etc. just to the underlining.  If you SEARCH UNDERLINING there are many discussions  about underlining.

2. 
   kayrosie | Nov 11, 2006 06:57am | #7

   so this underlining is just one the same thing as the front size of the top, just like it is one piece not two.  Am I following you.

    

3. 
   kayrosie | Nov 11, 2006 07:04am | #8

   OKay I went and read some about underlining.  If I understand right, I would cut two pieces exactly alike and treat them like they were one.  Is that what you are telling me. Okay I would still need to do the facing just like before put it on the outside and turn it right.  Am I following you. I am thinking I have never sewed before. I don't think I have ever underlined anything before.  I feel like I have never sewn before and I have sewn for 40 some years.  Thanks for the info.  I will try that.

    

    

4. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 11, 2006 07:14am | #9

   Yes, you got it.  You sew on the facings just as you did with one layer.  I'm a big fan of underlining.  Clothes don't look as "pretty" on the inside as with a lining.  But I think they look better from the outside.  Of course, you can do both but I never bother.  The important thing is to use a fabric with a similar weave so it will hang like your other fabric.  I mentioned on another thread that I've read a good way was to use the same fabric for both layers.  I've done that with inexpensive fabric and been very please with the results.

   I don't know if this would be of interest but someone recently mentioned using very, very, narrow self-piping around the neck and armholes for a subtle but nice finish.  I've done this and it does give a very nice look.  Just a thought.

5. 
   kayrosie | Nov 11, 2006 07:24am | #10

   somebody told me to do that also.  I am afraid I can not find choc. brown piping.   I am going to try what you said and see how that works.  Thanks for all your help. 

6. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 11, 2006 07:34am | #12

   I meant for you to make your own piping of the same fabric and make it about half the width of ready made.  It's really, really, narrow.

2. 
   kayrosie | Nov 11, 2006 04:07am | #5

   The facings are okay it is just that when you put it on sometimes they kinda do not lay flat.   That is why I thought maybe if I lined it would be better.

    

2. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 11, 2006 07:33am | #11

   I finally got a look at your pattern and now see what you were talking about.  What kind of fabric are you using.  Underlining would work, but I think you could just line it like you do a vest.  You know, make the lining exactly like the top and then sew them together  right sides together around all edges except the shoulders and bqck (where zipper would go.)  Pull it through one shoulder to turn it right side out and you would have clean edges all around the hem, notches and arm holes.  Then you sew the shoulder seams last.

   I'm still curious about the horse hair.

1. 
   kayrosie | Nov 13, 2006 04:06am | #14

   I didn't mean horse hair braid, I meant seams so great.   Do you ever use that.  It works good around the necks or Stay tape too.  I didn't mean horse hair.  I am going to use that on the skirt of my granddaughters dress and I was thinking about it and wrote.  Have you ever done that. Yes I kknow how to line.  I have done it lots of times.

    

1. 
   Ralphetta | Nov 13, 2006 05:21am | #16

   Oh, yes. My mind is often way ahead of what I'm saying and I don't make any sense to the listener.

1. 
   kayrosie | Nov 13, 2006 05:55am | #17

   Thanks for the advise.  I think I have this problem all figured out now.  Just to gt it sewed up.  THanks. 

3. 
   cafms | Nov 11, 2006 07:55am | #13

   I have made that pattern twice using view A and lined it just fine.  It was so much better without the facings.  I also eliminated the buttons in the back and used a zipper "upside down" under the arm.  The neck was large enough to pull over the head.  Cut lining fabric the same as the fashion fabric. 

1. 
   kayrosie | Nov 13, 2006 04:07am | #15

   how did you do the slits in the front then.  

1. 
   cafms | Nov 13, 2006 08:20am | #18

   I just went and checked and we didn't do the slits as she didn't like them.   The fabric the bride chose was a light weight almost lining like fabric so I used an iron on tricot to beef it up a bit and then lined it.  Her dress was the best looking one of all the bridemaids and she was able to use it for other things as well.   I made a bead fringe and put that on the bottom later. 

1. 
   kayrosie | Nov 13, 2006 06:12pm | #19

   I was wondering.  I thought maybe you left them out.  I am going to do the underlining like the girls on here were telling me to do and then put in the stay tape around the neck and then I think it will be fine.   OUr fabric is satin and it is not thin.  So I am thinking it will be fine.  All of the dresses are different so I have not looked at them. But I think most of them are lined.  

    

1. 
   cafms | Nov 13, 2006 06:40pm | #20

   Sounds good.  Hope it works well for you.  I'm sure it will turn out beautifully.

2. 
   kayrosie | Nov 13, 2006 07:04pm | #21

   Yes I think it will too.   Hopefully.

   going to work on my other daughters practice dress soon. I have the top cut out.  All of athe bridesmaid dresses are different. So I have a real challenge. 

3. 
   Becky-book | Nov 14, 2006 04:28pm | #22

   There is one small benefit of doing all different dresses.... they don't all need to be exactly the same!  What I mean is this- when I must make several dresses all the same it is so easy to 'learn as you go' and them the last one could turn out better than the first one ! LOL And no one can compare the fitting on different body types ("Why didn't she get that one 'right'?").

   I am glad to hear you have some help and a possible 'bail-out' person near by!  Wish I lived closer!

   Becky (in the South)

4. 
   kayrosie | Nov 14, 2006 05:55pm | #23

   Where in the South do you live.  Yes it would be nice if you lived closer.  I am sure they will all look real good when I get them done.  One girl has not even picked hers out for sure.  She needs to do that. 

5. 
   Becky-book | Nov 15, 2006 03:31pm | #24

   I am about 20 minutes south of Hartsfield airport (ATL).

   "It's a rainy night in Georgia..." and looks to be a rainy day too!  So I will sew and get some progress towards Christmas gifts and November birthday gifts too.

   Becky

6. 
   kayrosie | Nov 15, 2006 05:50pm | #25

   You are in the heart of a busy city then.   I bet you have lots of cool fabric stores and all.  I live in a small town in Iowa.  Work in Knoxville, at an attorney's office.   Not much business right now.  We do lots of taxes though so my busy time is coming up.  Of course, that is when I need to be home also working on the dresses. I will have to budget my time. 

   We live about 40 minutes from Des Moines so I do alot of shopping at Joanns and Hancock fabric stores.  I have never been to Atlanta.  Maybe someday. 

7. 
   Becky-book | Nov 16, 2006 04:59pm | #26

   The most awesome fabric store is Gayle Kay fabrics in ATL, but alas not easy to get to.  ATL traffic is terrible and I hate the cut-throat driving so I do not go into 'town' unless absolutely necessary (like a daughter's wedding dress). That dress turned out well; my son-in-law had a photo of his bride (in THE DRESS) on his desk and a co-worker said "Hey man, you're supposed to take the model out and put your wife in!" to which he replied proudly "That IS my wife"! LOL

   Becky

8. 
   kayrosie | Nov 16, 2006 06:32pm | #27

   Oh that is cute.   My new daughter in law to be could be a model too. She is tall and thin.  I am anxious to see her photos in her dress.  I have heard the traffic in Atlanta is awful.  My boss is going to Atlanta for Xmas. His son lives there.  He is retired from the Army. 

9. 
   fabricholic | Nov 16, 2006 07:48pm | #28

   Hi Becky,I feel like you are my neighbor. I live in Birmingham. I remember going to Six Flags with a girlfriend years ago, and we got on an interstate that seemed to go around in a circle. Needless to say, we were lost. We decided to go out to eat that night and ended up at a restaurant that was very expensive and didn't give us much to eat. We ended up at Denny's for dessert. Oh, good memories. I wish you would list some fabric stores that are worth the trip. I might have to visit on a weekend and shop. Thanks,
   Marcy
   fellow Southerner

10. 
    Becky-book | Nov 16, 2006 08:56pm | #29

    You probably got on I285 which is a big loop around ATL.

    When I lived in Stone Mountain (on the East side) I came to the so. side to visit a new friend. On the way home I got on I285 north but it was going up the west side of the Loop; supper was late that night!LOL

    I rarely venture into the CITY so Wal-mart and Jo-Ann fabrics are my usual haunts, nothing special!

    Becky

11. 
    fabricholic | Nov 16, 2006 10:38pm | #30

    I knew we were going in a circle. Marcy