Okay. I have a red slip-dress that has a sort of A-shape now. My costume, ultimately, will look like this. I hope. Instead of tacking on a black part, I'm going to wear small black shorts underneath, which will make me more comfortable in public anyway.
But the dress I have has a kind of high neck, and it's held up by a sort of shoelace thing that loops through the neckline hem. I'm not sure if I can make it into a v-neck. I'm also not sure how I can make the asymmetrical hem without it looking unkempt. Or how to make the little gather at the left hip. Which is absolutely essential because although the dress fits fine up top, it's pretty large in the waist/hip area.
Is it possible to do any of this without a machine? I'm good at sewing by hand. I'm not not sure if it's POSSIBLE.
Suggestions?
-pH
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Assuming the fabric is a chiffon or something else sheer, it would be really hard to do by hand. If it is satin, or a more normal fabric, it would be a bit easier. I'm not sure how to explain technique, but I'll work on it.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
It's not a sheer material. It's actually pretty thick. When I get home, I'll check the tag.
-pH
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
65% rayon 35% polyester.
-pH
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Ok that's good, hand sewn seams would look bad on sheer material. Her dress appears to be lined, so that adds to the shape at the bottom but not much. I would just cut the fabric an inch or so longer than ou want your dress to be, with the shape you want it. Then fold a little bitty edge down and press, then fold about 5/8ths of an inch, so that you have a totally inclosed seam (no edge shows, the original edge should be facing down with the right side of the fabric touching the wrong side of the dress, and the wrong sides of your hem touching each other). Then with as close of a color of thread as you can get, stitch it, if I were doing it I would do an invisible hem, but that can be time consuming, so you might just do a normal stitch.
I'll keep thinking on the waist, but give me an hour or so before you cut anything.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Depending on the actual shape of the neckline of your dress, I'm not sure it can be done, at least not easily, with a machine or not.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Can I do the hem first, on its own, or will that affect the gather?
-pH
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
It'd be best if you gathered before you hemmed so you have the final shape set before you cut your hem. Also if the hem is really curvy, when folding it down, cut little slits to the fold, so it makes a better shape. And don't forget to iron your seam before you stitch. I just can't figure out how to gather.
Posted by MandyM (Member # 8375) on :
Since it is a costume and not everyday-wear, why don't you baste instead of sewing it?
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
Do you really think basting would be that much faster, I can do a nice hem that won't rip just as fast. But then I had drill practice Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
I like to sew, really. I just don't like to sew with a machine so much. Anyways, I do want the hem to be sturdy. The French Quarter on Halloween can be...very crowded.
-pH
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
It's a costume. Why don't you save yourself the trouble and use the iron-on hemming tape? It'll hold fine, the only thing is don't wash it before you wear it (washing can weaken it.) But for what you need it for, it will be much quicker and easier, and will hold just as well. And no problems matching thread, or danger of a hem getting caught and falling out. You do need to cut it the shape you're going to want it, plus an inch or two for a double fold-over.
For the gather, take a few running stitches (that's plain stitching) where you want it gathered, top to bottom, and then tie a knot. Do three or four rows of that, and then pull the bottom and then, holding down the fabric, tie a sturdy knot right at the fabric. (Pull it a little tighter than you want it because it will relax a little.) It will only take you a few minutes, if that.
The neckline, I would probably just leave as it is. It's a costume, and no one is going to be comparing you to a photo, it's not a con costume contest. You'll still have the overall effect, I'm sure you'll look great. Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I'd hem it because I know I might wear it again, and I suspect you will too, Pearce. For the gather I was trying to figure out something with elastic backing, because it appears the dress has that, what KQ suggested should work, but it'd be best if someone else could do it while you were wearing it, the fit will be a bit harder.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
How would I go about this gather, exactly? Michael is coming over tonight, and he is required to help me.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
And no problems matching thread, or danger of a hem getting caught and falling out. You do need to cut it the shape you're going to want it, plus an inch or two for a double fold-over.![[Razz]](tongue.gif)