Date: 11/3/09 8:29 AM

I'm going to make Simp 5927, view G, the princess dress. It's a very simple pattern, just a bag with sleeves! DD wants the bodice and skirt different colours (well, I only have enough fabric to do the bodice in one colour), so I took the traced patter, cut it along the waist line, and added 5/8'' seam allowances to the pieces. I would like to give it a bit of shape, and was thinking of making some kind of casing at the waist to put elastic in. I'll fudge my way through it anyway, but I was wondering if anyone has tried this before or has any advice? The material is 100% polyester stretch crushed velvet, it looks nice and was cheap, but it's taken me a long time to realise it's a knit !! The casing/elastic will need to be sturdy enough to stand up to children dressing up.

I'm planning on making it again for DD#2, all in one colour, but I was going to try shirring to give the waist a little shape as well, I'll go and look up where that has been mentioned before, but any advice welcome.

I was also going to make it for a toddler, but I would probably have to make up the pieces for this as the pattern only goes down to 'S', which seems to be about 3 or 4 yo. Again, any advice?

I'm very much a beginner, and I amn't going to put a lot of work into these, or worry too much about cutting them out 'right'. I'm finding if I keep telling myself 'it's just a costume, just get it done' things seem to go better!

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Reading from Europe

Date: 11/3/09 10:39 AM

You want really down and dirty? Draw a line on the inside where you want the elastic. Then, just sew elastic where you want it with a zigzag stitch, stretching as you sew. The zigzag on the waist on the outside will not really be a problem due to "it's a costume" and the gathering.

A little more work?
Sew that waist seam and then sew a 3/8" wide elastic (a bit smaller than child's waist measurement) right onto the seam allowance part. Now that's quick.

Slightly more work? Sew the waist seam. So, you have 5/8 there. Sew a scant 1/4 inch joining the seam allowances together. That leaves you (if you did it carefully) a 3/8" tube. Thread either 3/8" or 1/4" elastic through (make sure you've left an open spot to do that).

I think all of these methods will stand up to a child getting dressed and undressed - especially because this is a loose fitting garment. There won't be much tugging and pulling.

HTH
JEF
-- Edited on 11/3/09 10:40 AM --

Date: 11/3/09 6:24 PM

Thanks JEF, I had considered zigzaging over the elastic, but I had thought that parts of the child might get caught on the edge of the elastic, I'm thinking of arguments between kids etc. etc. rather than straightforward putting on of the clothes . However, I must try it out on a scrap of fabric, I bought the fabric cheap and there's loads of it :).

Thanks for the post, you've made a very comprehensive list. All I have to do is try them out!!

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Reading from Europe

Reply to JEF
Date: 11/3/09 11:45 PM

Quote: JEF

You want really down and dirty? Draw a line on the inside where you want the elastic. Then, just sew elastic where you want it with a zigzag stitch, stretching as you sew. The zigzag on the waist on the outside will not really be a problem due to "it's a costume" and the gathering.

I used the same method on a snow white costume and several square dance dresses. Both styles had a waistline seam and I centered the elastic on the seam allowance. If there was a zipper, I used 2 pieces of elastic, one on each side of the zipper.

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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.