Burda Style For people who sew

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  Jan 4, 2012, 01.39 AMby northwestgirl

  I love women’s clothes from the forties. Really nice choice of fabric, it’s beautiful!
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  Jan 3, 2012, 01.26 AMby redslippers

  amazing!! am so inspired by your recent projects!!!! that’s really good to know about the dramas with the french seams… do you reckon it would be ok keeping them with a rolled hem instead??xo

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    Jan 3, 2012, 10.10 AMby imogens

    I think so, but I guess for me another hem issue is that I have noone to help me so marking an even hem is hard and I basically rely on measuring an equal distance from the raw edge. Which is fine if the seams haven’t stretched out and your body shape doesn’t muck it up either. If you have someone to help mark while you’re wearing it then I guess those are not problems…?

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  Dec 30, 2011, 12.04 PMby blueartisan

  Hemming tips, silk is quite a lose weave so it is better to let it relax and hang first before hemming, even if it is not on the cross, it may drop slightly. I hang mine in the bathroom for a week, the steam helps it relax quicker. I also favor a rolled hem over any other as it gives it body as well as being able to disguise any length variations. When I sew silk or chiffon I pull it tight through the machine, especially if you have an old machine and the tension is not perfect. It also helps to loosen off both top and bottom tension as well and lower your pressure foot more if your machine has the capability. Thread is important, I find even Guterman too thick, so I go for Mettler if I can as it just works a bit better for me. If I think of anything else, I will let you know. I’ve been sewing silk and chiffon full on for about 15 years now so I guess the biggest thing to aquire is practice!!!

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    Dec 31, 2011, 12.26 AMby imogens

    Oh, those are excellent tips, thanks! It didn’t even occur to me to try a rolled hem but that makes sense. I’m impatient but I think I could manage at least a couple of days of hanging too. :)

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  Dec 29, 2011, 11.45 PMby schnui

  Your dress is beautiful and well worth the effort of sewing difficult silk. I agree with artisan, if sew silk with a fine microtex needle it will be easier. My latest project in my studio is a silk dress which I sewed with a microtex needle and the only trouble I had was the hem and I am not sure while it will not sit straight. But I love wearing it anyway as it feels like a feather to wear and I am sure your dress feels like that too.

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    Dec 30, 2011, 12.53 AMby imogens

    Thanks schnui! It does feel like a feather!
    I actually did use a microtex needle and I had no real problems needle/stiching wise. I think my mistake was doing french seams on the skirt panels, which seemed to stretch those seams out a bit, which then caused me trouble with the hem. But no matter! Lesson learnt!

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  Dec 29, 2011, 08.09 PMby MademoiselleP

  That’s a gorgeous dress, and the pattern looks so nice. Congratulation!

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    Dec 30, 2011, 12.54 AMby imogens

    Thanks :)

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  Dec 29, 2011, 02.23 PMby blueartisan

  Very beautiful, you did a great job! I probably work with silk and chiffon more than anything (wedding dresses and bellydance costumes!) and I can safely say that eventually it does get easier. Just make sure you have serrated edge scissors and use a microtex needle in your machine. Oh and cutting out on carpet does help with stopping movement if you need it! It also helps to have a very full vocabulary when things go wrong too…..

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    Dec 30, 2011, 12.55 AMby imogens

    I had the full vocab at my disposal, I assure you! I think you are a madwoman to work so much with those types of fabrics! Any hem tips please do share!

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  Dec 29, 2011, 05.25 AMby AGoodWardrobe

  I saw that print at Gorgeous Fabrics and wanted it so badly but I didn’t want to struggle with the georgette. You did a wonderful job and I love your choice of pattern.

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    Dec 29, 2011, 07.17 AMby imogens

    Thanks! :)
    I very nearly didn’’t buy it either and I put off sewing it until a couple of weeks back when I finally acquired a mat and rotary cutter (love!). That helped but it was still painful…!

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  Dec 29, 2011, 05.06 AMby rossallia

  Oh so pretty………
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  Dec 29, 2011, 03.23 AMby rubyslippers86

  really cute, and I love your shoes :-)

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    Dec 30, 2011, 12.56 AMby imogens

    I don’t normally buy that kind of thing but they are fun!

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  Dec 29, 2011, 03.11 AMby Tracey McGowan Wirth

  I also love the print! Why does chiffon and all those beautiful fabrics have to be sooooo difficult!?
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  Dec 29, 2011, 03.03 AMby runningwithscissors1

  I love the print on the dress! Nice dress.