Replies

1. 
   myca99 | Apr 05, 2007 06:45pm | #1

   I am certainly not advanced enough to sew a wedding dress, but I did get Susan Khalje's book, "Bridal Couture: Fine Techniques for Sewing Bridal Gowns and Evening Wear" and I remember reading some tips about how to get the ruffles in a puffy sleeve to stand up. It seems like she used shorter ruffled layers of organza underneath a longer ruffle to give it body. Hope it helps. -Myca-

   Edited 4/5/2007 11:46 am ET by myca99

2. 
   Becky-book | Apr 05, 2007 08:26pm | #2

   I am not quite sure what you mean by 'stand up off her skin'... does she want it to stick straight out, or fold over and lay down, or be very fully gathered so that it is thick (this would still touch skin, is irritation the issue?)

   Do you have a picture of what you want, I can't quite visualize it?

   Becky

3. 
   From my Stash.... | Apr 06, 2007 12:50am | #3

   What fabric are you using? - the weight and drape of the fabric will affect this.

   The advice re Susan Khalje's book is right - this is a great book even if you weren't doing a wedding dress. She suggests a net lining for her sleeves, so depending on your fabric, you may wish to do the following (definitely do some tests first):

   - cut the ruffle strip double width and fold it wrong sides together in half lengthwise (this may be strong enough to stand on it's own and not need the lining)

   - sandwich the net lining between the two wrong sides

   - treat it as one piece when you do your ruffle.

   Good luck with it.

    

    

1. 
   maconga | Apr 07, 2007 03:31am | #4

   I think this is what I will do. Susan's book has been a great help. I just didn't think to apply the sleeve treatment to this. Thank You!

4. 
   SAAM | Apr 07, 2007 07:54am | #5

   I agree with the suggestions to use either organza or netting as an interlining to make the ruffles stand up. The one thing I would add is if you use netting, make sure you bind the edges of your seams so you don't have the scratchy edges of the netting coming in contact with your skin—very uncomfortable!