Sigh. I always think I can get more accomplished than I actually can.
With a full day of errands on Saturday, going to the Giants game and buying a new dishwasher on Sunday, and finishing The Help this morning (excellent book, by the way. Can’t wait to see the movie), I didn’t get as far as I’d hoped on my current project this holiday weekend. I’m a bit anxious because it’s a summer top and skirt. While we still have lots of warm weather left in Northern California for the year, I’m also wanting to get working on the Colette Patterns Fall Palette Challenge.
The coral polka dot quilting fabric for the skirt and top is cut and marked. While doing that, I rethought my plan to underline the material for the top. It seemed to have plenty of body on its own. And judging from the muslin, it might be too heavy with the extra layer in the pleats at the neck and waistline. I had wanted to tack the neckline and sleeve facings to the underlining for a neat finish, so I’ll have to give some thought to how I finish those facings and the hem. I even have the crazy notion of possibly doing a waist stay.
I will still be lining the skirt; however, and I cut those pieces out as well. I was planning to make the skirt about 30 inches long but have changed my mind. That length just didn’t seem right for a summer outfit. I’ll go with the 25-inch length I did on my most recent skirt. I hope those proportions work with the top.
Next will be cutting and fusing the interfacing. I got a fairly new fusible woven interfacing on the advice of the lady at the JoAnn’s cutting counter. I haven’t tried it before. It’s pricier than the nonwoven, but she said it doesn’t pill. I hate worn out, pilled interfacing. It’s just cheapens a project. I’ll report on how it works out.
Cutting is my least favorite part of a project. My favorite is the very first construction seam. That’s when I enter my happy sewing zone. I hope to be there by the end of the week.
Tagged: sewing, Simplicity 3688, underlining, vintage, Vogue 4047, woven interfacing
Jeanne Marie’s Sewing Studio 
reading my mind you are. hear my sign here too. in the middle of my bathroom remodel but every room on that floor is involved. my sewing area as well. I just could not comfortably work on anything with the pounding, banging, scents and scraping! And, there is a commode, like a sentinel, staring at me. Not going to happen here.
Quilting cottons are beautiful, but sometimes tricky for garments. Even after the pre-wash, they are sometimes a little stiff. Would a bias binding substitute for the facings? Could you substitute a fine batiste for the muslin. For example, use the batiste as a full lining and eliminate the facings? Just a thought.
Good luck, and yes, The Help was great.
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Bias binding is a great thought, at least for the sleeves. And I just bought one of those little half-inch bias tape makers, the kind that you use to iron the tape properly. That would give me an excuse to use it! Not sure about the neckline. Batiste is a good idea, too. Thanks and good luck with the remodel. I hope you post pictures.
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Corinne, I’m really thinking about the batiste idea for the underlining. I’ll check out the fabric store to see what they have. Switching gears to batiste at this point will slow me down, but I think it will be worth it. Meanwhile, I can go forward with the skirt because I’m sure about lining that with cotton I have. I really appreciate the tip!
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