I have made the Alishia dress slip from Style Arc. This is for a wedding that I am going to early May. First up is the rouleau straps. I partly remembered a tutorial about turning these thin straps but having a long length of thread and then pulling it through itself. Not a good explanation - I had a long length of thread (the machine thread) before I started sewing the strap. I then tied the thread onto a needle and threaded the needle through the strap then I gently teased the end into itself - this was the tricky part and where I thought it would go pear shaped - but it didn't and once the end turned into the tube, the heavy satin just glided through and a great strap emerged. I thought for sure it would turn to the proverbial for the second strap, but it did not.
Two perfect straps! Ta da!
I then put the straps onto the bust cups and gathered the bust cups and put them onto the front bottom of the slip. It was a little touch and go as I cut this from a remnant piece of satin I've had for ever and even though it's a little short, it is the perfect colour to match the sequinned lace I have. However because it was a remnant, I had to cut the bottom of the cups a little inside where it should have been because that was the edge of the fabric. I think it worked out ok as it still looks like a nice curve and the cups fit. Just a side note here, there are two sizes of cups for the slip and I cut the bigger one - I'm between a DD and E cup and they fit ok... not perfectly under the bust but I did have to cut them shallower by about 1cm so I think they are pretty good.
Today I finished the slip save for hemming and joining the straps at the back. It isn't ironed obviously and not sitting well on the hanger but you get the picture. I am really happy with it. It would be better 5 cm longer but it isn't indecent just shorter than I'd like but it is a slip. I'm hoping I can use this slip under a number of different dresses as I don't have another. It's quite a heavy synthetic satin and I LOVE the gunmetal grey colour.
I tried putting the elastic on with the overlocker and then to turn it over but the overlocker ate it up first then I just couldn't keep it all together well enough without that third hand we could all use in sewing, so I just triple zig zag stitched and turned it over and stitched it again. I wish I thought to put the straps under the zig zag but I didn't. I just found a little flower I will put in the middle of the bust there ... or do you think it would look too 'nightie' then. I'm thinking to do a double turned hem (don't know if that is what it is called... ). I'd turn over a tiny hem and then turn it again. I've had a little practice run before I do it on the slip.. worked out ok. I'd like to roll hem on the overlocker but can't trust the black thread and the machine. What do you think so far? Onto the dress next.
The Brisbane meet up arranged by Busy Lizzie in Brizzy is on this Sunday and there are 28 people coming. It's very exciting. I'm getting some patterns and fabrics to swap ready today too.
On another note, I haven't given up on the strawberry dress. I had some issues that have been resolved and I will put the snaps or buttons on and post. Hopefully in the next few days. There isn't much to say about Melbourne sewing wise but there is some .. I'll leave that for the next post too.
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