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!