Burda Style For people who sew

Description

After having made my first successful cami/corset (the “Carmen” corset), I wanted to make another to go with a skirt I had made from some printed Japanese cotton. The design on the skirt has rabbits and Japanese maple leaves. Again, I found myself with a time constraint due to difficulty finding the right colors of tee shirts. This was to be an outfit for my son’s graduation from high school, which literally followed on the heels of my voice recital!

Using the various sized leaves on the skirt fabric, I traced their outlines onto freezer paper, then laid them out on the various corset pieces until I had the placement I desired. I fused the freezer paper onto the fabric, then stitched around each one with a straight-stretch stitch, locking it in place and bringing the cut ends to the wrong sides of the garment. After completing all of the reverse applique’, I still wanted more detail, so again, I fused some more templates to the fabric, but this time, I stitched around them as well as within them to create the veins, stems, etc. Then I tore away the paper. I constructed this garment – wrong sides together – in the same straight-stretch stitch, and allowed the allowances to curl as desired. I used a decorative stitch to edge-finish the neckline and armholes, after stabilizing with Solvy. While I wanted to use this same stitch on the hemline, it would not allow the curling I wanted, so I used the straight-stretch stitch at the hem.

One of the most engaging aspects of the Chanin style of stitching is the handwork, which I still aspire to. However, I am submitting this project to encourage others who love the look but who might also have some serious time constraints as I did to use their sewing machines for a similar look.

I’ve already ordered “Alabama Studio Style” and can’t wait for it to arrive!

Material Notes

Supplies:

Camisole/corset pattern from Alabama Stitch Book – Freezer paper as template for appliqué, and stabilizer for machine stitching leaf details – Three men’s XL, short-sleeved polo shirts – 100% cotton –
Wicking sportswear knit from my stash – Gutermann threads to match and contrast – Solvy stabilizer

Difficulty

Intermediate

Categories

For

Women

Garment Type

Tops