The Clark Gable

Linda of Lányos Handmade / Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!

9 years ago

Hello! This is the first of my “Sister’s Sewing Projects”. In the past, I haven’t named the clothes I made, but each of the garments in this project has definitely earned a name. I remember going through the fabric shops with my sister. We spent hours holding up bolts of fabric, wrinkling them, matching them with others, dragging them around the store – the whole time saying things like “Do you like this one or the Clark Gable?” “What about the Wizard of Oz?” And on and on. So, these garments will have names!

To start, “Dolly” had to have some adjustments to mirror my sister’s measurements. Perhaps I should just call Dolly “Petunia” now?

I used a pattern my sister has been using since 1989, McCall’s 4408 – a vintage pattern – and the Clark Gable fabric, a 100% cotton.

This is my sister’s TNT skirt pattern. She left with me a skirt that she made with this pattern about 10 years ago. But this is one of the reasons I love to sew… this is a 10-year-old handmade skirt. Most RTW doesn’t last 10 years without losing a button or two, or even worse. But look at the construction – she always did make the insides look as good as the outsides!

See! This was all done with a sewing machine, not a serger.

The fabric at the edge of the hem is wearing but the hem and seams are still strong.

You can see on the folds and pleats of the fabric the edges have worn too.

The waist band still holding. I like her idea of using two narrow widths of elastic. Serves the purpose, but still comfortable.

Now although she gave me the pattern to follow, it was a good thing she gave me the skirt too, because she constructed the waistband and elastic differently when she made her skirt, than instructed in the pattern. She asked that I make her skirts the same way as she did. In this pattern there is a hidden side opening in the side seam pocket. My sister doesn’t want an opening, so I followed along with how she put her skirt together – no elastic in the front of the waistband, just in the back – so comfortable and more room for cheesecake!

First I sewed in the inverted pleats in the front.

I sewed in the insert…

Folded and pinned in every pleat and stay stitched the top edge.

After sewing the front and back together along the side seams and around the pocket bags, I constructed the waistband.

Front waistband sewn on and moved out of the way. Back waist band sewn on and edge stitched and then the back band is folded over.

First row of edge stitching on the back band.

Second row sewn in at the centre of the back band to make two casings.

Another row of edge stitching on the back band at the bottom edge and the two casings are finished.

This is how the elastic will be pulled through.

Elastic pulled through and secured while I stay stitch them in place.

Both sides secured now.

Front waistband folded down now and sewn to cover everything.

Next, I used my “blind hem foot” – which I usually use for my edge stitching or “stitching in the ditch” – to sew up the hem. It made the job so much easier and the sewing machine stitches were practically invisible on the right side.