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| McCall's 3748 |
Last October I came to the decision that
I wanted to attempt making a shirtwaist dress from a 1950’s pattern. While I
sew a variety of different things, I had never sewn a dress that turned out and
I was more than happy when this one did! And being so pleased with it, I
immediately decided to begin sewing a second one! So without more ado, the
following (and somewhat long, sorry) goes over what I learned.
Dress
#1
♥ While
probably a minor thing in the area of sewing knowledge, the use of interfacing
was new to me due to the fact that until this past year I wasn’t really sewing
anything that needed it. Never-the-less, I’m happy I now know its use and am
looking forward to using it more often.
♥ The big thing I
learned was how to make bound button holes. When one has never done them before
it merits a bit of research beyond the very simple picture on the pattern instructions.
Upon finding a set of detailed instructions that I liked, I happily set about
to make my button holes. Well, the first one turned out okay, but I thought it
looked a bit large. Unfortunately, in my excitement I failed to acknowledge
that the pattern called for 1/8” measurement, not a ¼” measurement as the
instructions I was looking at called for. As a result, four of the five button
holes on the shirtwaist ended up being slightly larger, and while I did have to
stitch part of the button hole shut so the buttons do not come undone while I’m
wearing it, I can definitely say I know
how to make a bound button hole now.
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| The last button hole on the right is the correct size. |
In addition to the bound ones and my having
the tendency to want to learn the traditional way of doing things, I also
learned how to hand-stitch button holes versus doing them on the machine for
the facing.
♥ I
also learned a bit about belt making. At some point I bought a few vintage
“cover your own buckle” kits at a thrift store for 10 cents each. Despite the
fact that the word “Easily” is on the cardboard holder, there was nothing easy
about covering the metal piece. The difficulty was primarily in getting the
fabric to stay on the metal teeth (a very appropriate name) as it was stretched
over the buckle. I’d get one part hooked in, only to have it unhook as I attempted
to do another part, and then the fabric would fray to the point where it wasn’t
covering the metal. Three attempts later (and with sore fingers), I finally got
it to stay on and it looked reasonable. After that I attached the band and
viola, finished belt!
Dress #2
♥ Dress
#2 went a bit more smoothly in terms of button holes (all the right and same
size!) and I avoided buckle covering troubles by making a sash instead. With
this dress, my learning was more along the lines of how weight of fabric
affects what you are sewing in terms of wearing it. Because of the stiffness of
the fabric the skirt turned out to be more full, which was good, and the top
part less relaxed, which due to the space for ease of movement, looks a bit
funny if I’m standing still. It also led to difficulties in the gathering
necessary for the skirt. Overall, though, I’m just as pleased with this dress
as with the first.
While I’ve only worn each dress once due to first a heat
wave and now to it being so cold, I’ll be looking forward to wearing them more
in the future and will definitely be putting to use the skills I gained while
making them! ♥
