Endless Dress Sew Along Day 2

Endless Dress Sew Along Day 

Are you ready?  Let's do this!

I'm starting the sew along with my mashup of the Endless and the Circle Flounce.  If you are doing the standard Endless Dress, skip down to the pictures with the yellow striped fabric.

Bodice with Straps

Starting with the shoulder strap pattern piece, fold in half right sides together (RST).  Stitch the long seam together leaving both ends open.

Turn both straps right side out.  I used a Bodkin to turn the straps, just to make it a little easier.

Iron the straps.  I put the seam on the back center of the straps so that my pattern would line up nicely.  You can also line up the seam on the side of the straps (I just like mine hidden).

Topstitch the straps.  I attached my flutters at the outside edge of both straps with a topstitch.  

Bodice

If you are adding the sash, be sure to add it here.  I forgot and had to go back and rip out my seams!  To add the sash, fold the sash in half lengthwise so that there is a piece long enough to go across the front bodice.  Baste the sash at the sides of the front bodice.  Now is a good time to add topstitching to the top finished edge of the sash.  Go ahead and attach the ties as well.  (There are pictures of attaching the sash in the photos of the yellow top.)

Sew the bodice front and back pieces RST at one side seam.  Repeat for the bodice lining.  Iron side seams open.

Position the straps as indicated in the pattern.  Tip:  I should have moved both straps in just a tad(like a 1/4in further to the center) because my "little" has a narrow chest and shoulders.  If you don't trust yourself not to sew over the pins, baste the straps in place.

Place the bodice lining RST on top of the bodice front.  The straps are in the middle of the bodice front and the bodice lining.  Sew both bodice pieces together, reinforcing the strap seam by reversing over that area.

Line up both arm holes and stitch together.

I'm not sure if you know this but it is necessary to clip curves so they will lay nicely.  I always use my pinking shears for curves because I don't like to risk clipping the thread.  The pinking shears help the curves iron out perfectly.

At this point you have the bodice front pieces and the arm holes stitched together.  The bodice back pieces are still open because we need to attach the other end of the straps.

We're about to get real here people!  Stick with me because this is where things get confusing!  

Pull out one strap raw edge from the middle of the bodice front pieces.

Without twisting the strap, find the bodice back and line the strap up on the bodice back piece.  Be sure the straps get attached at the armholes.  In the picture below, the raw edge of the strap is at the top of the bodice back, just next to the armhole.  

With the strap in place, fold the lining piece over the bodice back.  In the picture below, the armhole curve is on the left and the bodice back is open on the right.  Stitch together the top of the bodice back pieces being sure to reinforce the strap area.

Your bodice should look similar to the picture below.

Repeat the whole process for the other side of the bodice back.

Here is another view of the armhole and strap.

Once you have both straps sewn into place, turn the bodice front and back pieces right side out and be sure everything looks right.  So, at this point you have both straps attached to the front and back at the armholes.  Iron the bodice pieces so that everything lays nice a flat.

Here is where I realized I should have attached my sash a looooong time ago.  I had to rip out my side seams to attach the sash.  Don't make that mistake!!!!  So your bodice is almost complete!  We will work on the buttons, button holes and skirt tomorrow!  Yay!  

If you made the strap bodice, you are finished for today.

Traditional Endless Dress Bodice

If you are making the Endless Dress bodice, you are in the right spot!  You should have a pile similar to this.  A bodice front and back and a lining front and back.  The front is cut on the fold and the back is in two pieces.

Start by attaching the bodice front and back pieces at the shoulder seams.

Iron the seams open.

Line up the bodice front and lining pieces exactly.

Starting at the bottom of the bodice back outside piece; sew up the side, around the neckline and back down the back outside.  Also sew the armhole curves.  Use pinking shears to clip the neck and armhole curves. Right now the only open edges are the side seams.

Take the corner of the back piece into the center of the bodice and push it through the shoulder seams, out to the opposite edge.  Repeat on the other side.

Iron the bodice, being sure to press right at the seam.

Sash

Fold the sash in half lengthwise WST and iron flat. 

With the bodice laying flat, pull the lining up toward the neckline.

Pin the sash onto the bodice front, lining up the sides and bottom of the sash with the bodice.

Topstitch the top of the sash.

Stick with me, this part can be confusing (ok, maybe it's not confusing to you but I was a little confused the first time I did this!).

With the lining still up toward the neckline, fold the bodice back piece on top of the bodice front.

Open the bottom edge of the back piece to match the front.  Pin in place.  Both arm curves are together and the side seams are lined up also.  This will create a hidden seam so the lining looks nice a professional.

Repeat on the other side and pin.

Stitch the seams together.  Your bodice should look like this.  Press the seam open.

Carefully iron the side seams being sure everything is flat and straight.  

Shew!  You made it!  Let me know if you have any questions, this can be tricky.  Come back tomorrow for the buttons, button holes and skirt.  We are moving right along!!!!

Endless Dress Sew Along Day 1

Endless Dress Sew Along Day 1

Easter is already upon us.  Though the Endless Dress can be used for any occasion,  I am making it for an Easter Dress this year.  There are so many variations of this dress that I cannot begin to  lead a sew along with all of the options available.  So, we begin Day 1 by making a choice on the type of dress and embellishments that strike your fancy.  You will need to choose:  a bodice length, skirt length, sleeve type, collar and embellishments(bib front, sash, band, appliqué, bow, etc.).  If your "little" is anything like mine, she will need to be involved in the process so it will actually be worn.  How do they have such opinions at 4 years old????  

Here are some things you will need for this sew along:

• Endless Dress Pattern printed, taped together and cut to the desired size
• coordinating fabrics (I used 3 fabrics)
• buttons
• interfacing (for buttonholes)

My choices for the Endless Dress and embellishments:

• Circle Flounce Dress Bodice (it is very similar to the Endless Dress bodice but it has straps)
• Empire waist (The Circle Flounce Dress bodice is empire waist)
• Pockets
• Coordinating sash without a tie (my "little" hates a tie in the back!)
• Banded knee length skirt (be sure to use the measurements from the add on pack for the skirt and band length and width)

I know what you are thinking -- I don't want to make the Circle Flounce Dress bodice, I want to make the Endless Dress bodice!  No worries!  I will also include instructions for the sleeveless Endless Dress bodice, just for you.

Once you have figured out the dress you want to make, cut out all pattern pieces.  You should have a pile of pattern pieces similar to the picture below.  You can see the straps, bodice front and back, sash, skirt and skirt band.  (I should have pocket pieces in the picture also.  Oops!)

If you are like me, it took quite a while to figure out exactly what version of the dress to make (and I probably changed my mind no less than 10 times!).   As we start tomorrow, you will need all pattern pieces cut and be ready to work on the bodice construction.

Sew Along Schedule:

Day 1:  Decide on dress specifics/embellishments and cut pattern pieces
Day 2:  Bodice construction with sash
Day 3:  Buttonholes, buttons, skirt and pockets
Day 4:  Skirt band and finishing
Day 5:  Share pictures of finished dress

I cannot wait to see how you are progressing in this sew along.  Be sure to share your pictures with me on our Facebook sewing group page here.  I love to hear from you so be sure to ask questions and give me feedback.  I will see you right back here tomorrow for Day 2, when we really get down to business.  Y'all are awesome!

April Fool!

April Fool's Day!

Do you play April Fool's Day jokes at your house?  I'm not one to play a joke on a regular basis but sometimes it's fun.  Growing up, my dad loved April Fool's Day.  He relished in running to our rooms yelling it was snowing (I grew up in Texas); there was a white horse outside my window; or we didn't have to go to school that day.    I remember that feeling of being so excited to see the snow outside, and then terribly disappointed when he yelled April Fool!  The funny thing, he got me EVERY year.  There was never any warning that April Fool's Day was coming soon--it always snuck up on me.  

This year it might be fun to play a little April Fool's Day joke on your kids.  I've thought about taping newspaper over the kids' bedroom doors so they have to crash through to get out of the rooms.  You could fill his room with balloons just for fun.  It might be fun to hang streamers in the doorway so she gets to come through the streamers as she enters and leaves a room.  I'm really not one for mean jokes, so you'll have to come up with those on your own.

How about a fun little joke that will be a big surprise?  Fill your child's lunchbox with fake food.  When he opens it up, he won't know what to think.  You can leave a little note to tell him where to find the real lunch or to buy his lunch.  Imagine how surprised he will be and how much fun he will have showing the fake food to his friends.

And here is a great April Fool's day surprise!  Enter the code "april fool" for 25% off your cart at www.jocole.net on April 1, 2014 beginning at 12:01am and ending at 11:59pm (pst).  Hurry!  Fill up that cart and get a great discount!!!

Cuff Tutorial

Adding a Cuff to The Quick Dress

A Tutorial

Take two measurements:  

1.  Measure the length of the sleeve 2 inches shorter than the pattern calls.  

2.  Measure the bottom edge of the sleeve.

Cut two strips that are 5" tall by width of sleeve.  So you will have two strips that are 5inches tall and as wide as the bottom edge of the sleeve.

Fold cuff in half lengthwise with right sides together.

Stitch short sides together with a 3/8" seam allowance.  You now have one open edge, one folded edge and two short sides sewn together.

Turn right sides out and be sure to push out edges.  Press well, setting seams exactly on the edges.

Attach sleeve to the Quick Dress and sew underarm/side seams together.  The bottom edge of the sleeve is still raw.

Attach cuff to the edge of the sleeve, right sides together, using a 3/8" seam allowance.   The opening of the cuff should be at the outside of the sleeve.

Finish the raw edge of the cuff and sleeve.

Turn right side out and topstitch.

Happy sewing!

Sash Tutorial

Sash Tutorial

Belt Sash

Make a sash to fit the Essential Pants from Jocole.

Choose the appropriate size sash.  Cut fabric to required measurements.  To make a bow sash, cut 2 fabric pieces or double the length.

Fold sash in half.

Stitch together one short side and length of the sash.

Using a dowel, push fabric through to turn.

Iron sash.  Turn short end in to create a finished edge.

Topstitch to close opening and finish.

Add the sash to your project!

Jocole Essential Pants Sew Along Day 4

Essential Pants Sew Along

Day 4

You almost have a new pair of pants for your "little".  Yay!  Let's get this party started.

Begin by making the casing for the elastic.  Topstitch the waistband just below the top edge.  

Add a second row of stitching to make a casing for the elastic.  Measure down from the top edge and sew again.    

Be sure to leave a small opening to insert elastic.

 I am attaching belt loops to my shorts, this step is optional.  Belt loop instructions are found here.  

Attach the belt loops to the pants .  Attach at the top and bottom of each belt loop.  Be careful if you have pinned the belt loops on, don't catch the pin in your machine.

Using a Bodkin or safety pin, insert elastic into casing.  Thread elastic all the way through the casing until it comes out the opposite end.  

Secure both ends of the elastic together.  I like to sew a square with a "X" in the center.

Close up the hole that was left for the elastic.  And now, you are FINISHED!  Congratulations!  I hope your "little" enjoys the pants (capris or shorts) as much as mine does.

If you would like to make a sash for the Essential Pants, find instructions here.