My sister will be happy, another garment has been (almost) finished in what I’m calling my Sister’s Sewing Projects.
This one is a vintage pattern from 1978, Simplicity 8510. It must be a favourite of my sister’s for her to keep it safe all this time. The fabric is a similar beige as in the pattern photo, linen-like, 70% polyester, 30% rayon.
It was an easy pattern. The most complicated parts, if you can say that, were the collar and the turned up sleeves.
When it comes to these types of collars/necklines, I prefer to not make a “pointy” slit, but a rounded one. I find it is easier to turn and press when it is rounded.
The sleeve tabs were easy to sew and top stitch with my 1/4″ foot. When I was sewing the tabs I put the not interfaced side down and the interfaced side up so my feed dogs would pull the loose fabric through more evenly. I love those straight lines!
I certainly appreciate all the fabric and sewing supplies I get from friends and family. If they ever come across someone getting rid of their “stash”, they make sure to snap it up for me. Look at all these buttons my sister found for me! She even took the time to string similar colours and sizes together! I am sure to find a couple of suitable buttons in here for my sister’s dress.
Ah, now here’s another helpful sewing machine foot – my button holer. It wasn’t until I got this machine that I had a button holer foot – I am quite appreciative of it! I have a habit of leaving the threads long and pulling them through to the wrong side to tie them off. It just feels more secure to me. I do the same when sewing on buttons too.
I am going to make the Sewaholic Nicola for myself next. I don’t want short sleeves or long ones and after doing these sleeves… well I like them and am going to do the same with my Nicola.
Like I said “It’s Done! Well almost…” I am going to wait for my sister to come visit before I do the waist line elastic – is she long waisted or short waisted? – and then afterwards it will be easier to hem up her dress to the correct length.
But here’s how it looks so far on Petunia… Notice the side pockets? I love side pockets.
It will definitely look better with waist line elastic and a blouson effect to the top of the dress. It will raise those pockets up to a proper height too. .
I am thinking of buying an “adjustable binding foot” next. What about you – which sewing machine foot do you wish you had?
Happy Sewing!
Lovely dress; your sister will be thrilled. I have a foot fetish, so love them all!
Thank you! When I was growing up, I thought sewing machines only came with two feet, so I just suffered through it all. Now I’ve realized there are more, I want them all!
Wow, those details are lovely. I like the tip about rounding out the V a bit for ease of turning, too!
Thank you! If anyone else has some more pointers, I would love to hear them!
Someone once told me when turning a faced slit… Put on your big girl pants and snip to 1 thread before the stitching- works every time! I also reduce stitch length at the pointy end of the slit to prevent unravelling.
It is definitely scary to snip so close! I forgot to mention the smaller stitch length. Thanks for the tips!
Nice! It looks like it’ll be such a comfy garment, and that armband, it’s perfectly sewn and looks gorgeous!
If I had to pick a new presser foot…hm, I’d like a walking foot. My machine is actually quite good at even sewing but still, it’d be nice to have. I just got a new invisible zipper foot and that is quite awesome.
Thank you! I do like that style of sleeve. I have heard of some brands of machines that come with a built-in walking foot! Haven’t seen such a thing yet though!
I really like the the rounded slit. You did a really good job on it. Now, I love the little sleeve loops. Love those. My favorite blouses have that little loop. The dress looks really good. 👍
Thank you! I do llove that style, so comfortable and easy to make!!
Lovely dress! Can understand why your sister kept the pattern. So nice that she & your mom are able to help out with your stash! I’m thinking I should get a walking foot next.
Thank you! Walking feet are very cool. Such a small gizmo and every little part in it running in unison!
Great dress and love the details! It will look even cuter when you do the waist. I also am wishing for a seam binding foot. It just seems magical to me. I have a rolled hem foot that I love, it’s my current ‘fav’.
Thank you! The things we do to achieve that perfectly straight line! 😃
The 3/4 length sleeve is a favourite of mine too! In fact if I have a long sleeve on, I shove it up my arm anyway. Great idea to put that very nice sleeve styling on your next make.
Thank you! Yes it saves shoving up sleeves all the time!
Well, being the “sister” who is getting the lovely new duds, let me say this is the third time for this dress. I made it twice myself. It is the most comfortable dress, I think, I have every worn. I will be over soon for the fit, sis. I just have one question, what is an adjustable binding foot. Apparently things have advanced greatly since my sewing day, my great joy was a zipper foot. By the way, the dress looks beautiful, as usual.
Thank you! See you soon. You know that bias tape that you sew on and the stitching never seems to be perfect? Well this foot will sew it on with a flawless stitch line! 😍
Wow, sounds great.
Love the tip about the rounded slit, will give it a go.
my fave foot is the one that turns the edge over on itself giving you a perfect rolled hem….it’s magic and such a time saver. I’ve been tempted to get the seam binder foot too but I don’t know if I would actually use it that much
I’ve got a rolled hem foot. It is lovely!
Looks so neat and professional. I love it!
Thank you!
Sewing machines have more than two feet…? 🙂
Yes, Hard to believe, hmm? I won a box of 15 different feet for my machine – I think they considered those to be “most used”! I’m still working on the first six or seven. Sometimes it’s enough to make your head spin! 😂
I love it! A definite wardrobe staple there! I love fabric that presses nice and sharp, and it looks just like linen. The foot id like is one that attaches to a cover stitch machine – and then I could buy that too! 😃
Oh! I only wish I could have it all!