Perhaps you remember this dress, from my Sister’s Sewing Projects, a vintage dress pattern from 1978, Simplicity 8510, which I first blogged about here. I decided before I start anything new, I must finish the old projects …
This dress still needed its elastic waistband. I found many ways to do that on line and in my reference books – I decided to make a casing for the elastic. I cut a strip of the same fabric as the dress, and since it frays easily, I hemmed the edges with a zig zag.
Finished!
Next, I have to make a small change to my Sewaholic Nicola dress. I love everything about it, except the lace casing I sewed on the outside. I rumples up too much when I bend and every time I move my arms the waist line slides up and doesn’t come down. I am hoping an elastic waist line will keep it in place!
I picked off the lace casing carefully.
Different method this time… I sewed the elastic right onto my waist line seam allowances. First I marked the elastic at the half way point and halves again – that is where the centre back and side seams will land. I pinned those marks to their corresponding seams.
Then I gently stretched the elastic out to cover the distance between my centre front opening and my side seam and again and again until I worked myself all the way around my waist line.
Finished! with gentle gathers.
I’m on to my next project now – another post for my DESIGNIN’ DENIM theme – a denim skirt using my Sewholic Hollyburn pattern. I have my pieces cut out and have looked on the internet for ideas.
Not your usual Sewholic Hollyburn, but here are some examples of Jean skirts that I might copy. The A line one is perfect – the other one is too straight and has a yoke, but I might be able to copy some of the top stitching details. Oh yes … both are too short for me. 🙂
Next weekend, Jeans skirt back pockets!
By the way – do you have a favourite method for sewing in waist line elastic in a dress – please share!
Happy Sewing!