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about 4 inches missing (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 12/27/09 8:28 PM ET
I started sewing a dress for my babysitter (she asked me) and well, I thought I was doing OK, but I cut it too small for her. It fits great everywhere except for about 4 inches right at her hip. (really more like a 4 inch taper down with 4 inches across, then 3, then 2 of not enough material). Would it look stupid if I just cute 4 inches of material and tapered it to the side of the dress (2 inches on the front panel and 2 on the back)? I am scared to take the dress appart because the lines (look at the front skirt seams) both in the front and back are exactly where they should be.... Anyone ever do this before? Any painless fixes?


Posted on: 12/28/09 11:21 AM ET
I think I'm not understanding what the problem is nor am I understanding what you're suggesting as a solution.
Could you post a photo of the pattern or a link to a photo? Is this a one-shoulder dress? Or do you have it folded?
Is it too tight in the waist/upper hip area?
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Could you post a photo of the pattern or a link to a photo? Is this a one-shoulder dress? Or do you have it folded?
Is it too tight in the waist/upper hip area?
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blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
Posted on: 12/28/09 12:00 PM ET
I have the same confusion as Goodworks.
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Now blogging at http://sewwest.blogspot.com
Posted on: 12/28/09 1:00 PM ET
I'm not understanding either. However the title suggests the problem is just that you can't get a zipper in - does it fit ok but with only just enough turnings to seam and not enough to conceal a zip? If so, I've many times faced back a zip area taking the teeniest of turnings, using a straight piece of fabric, then putting the zip in behind it as a central insertion. You only need about one eighth of an inch on turnings - just enough to seam a straight strip of fabric RS tog on the opening.
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http://patternpandemonium.wordpress.com/
Posted on: 12/28/09 1:35 PM ET
Are you saying you'll shorten the dress by taking up the skirt portion until you have enough fabric to make the zipper? If so, will this shorten the skirt too much?
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I burn the candle at both ends and if it's not burning fast enough, I blow!
Member since 1/24/07
Posts: 611
Posts: 611
British Columbia Canada
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Skill: Advanced Beginner
Posted on: 12/28/09 5:07 PM ET
In reply to PolishPoppy
I think I understand what your problem is. If you do try to add some fabric, don't forget to allow for seam allowances. If you have lots of fabric, you could try to match the pattern and then it would not ber so conspicuous. I haven't done exactly what you describe but anyone who has sewn for any length of time has made all kinds of mistakes. Some can be fixed and sometimes the garment becomes a "wadder". Good luck.
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Elaine
Posted on: 12/29/09 3:52 PM ET
Hi again everyone! Let me ty and explain the problem better.... It is a side zipper dress ,if I put the zipper in, it will zip just fine at the top of the dress to halfway down where the brown belt is and then for 4 inches there is a huge gap (not enough material), after that 4 inches the zipper would zip just fine again past the hip bone down to the knee. So where the hip bone is there is about a four inch gap of material I would have to add both vertiaclly and horizontally ...unless you ladies can give me an idea on how to fix this a better way? It might look too horrible....? Should I try and take that side where the zipper would go appart and put in new sides? But then I have NO idea how to draft that either... and i really really would be sad if I had to throw it out. I am hoping someone with more expertise in sewing can tell me how to go about fixing that gap...
By the way....did the pics of the dress post in the first posting I made?
By the way....did the pics of the dress post in the first posting I made?
Posted on: 12/29/09 4:13 PM ET
I understand you and I call it "designer privledge".
Posted on: 12/29/09 5:19 PM ET
Thanks for the explanation.
I think you'll need to do inserts on both sides of the dress to make it look good and to keep the skirt seams balanced on the body.
I'm assuming you have more of each of the fabrics and can add to each of the opened side seams. I personally would do it the lazy way and add a strip to each seam allowance (matching the fabrics and seams as I went along) and then refit the dress on the person. Mark the new seams (you'll be essentially adding a gusset to each side) and restitch the side without the zipper, insert the zipper, etc.
I think small inserts on each side will be the least noticeable.
But maybe there's a way to make the inserts a design feature. Or you could recut the waist section to the correct size and only need to add to the skirt. But this involves removing the current waist section and then attaching the new one. I guess that call depends on which thing you think is the least onerous....
Elaine
-- Edited on 12/29/09 5:21 PM --
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I think you'll need to do inserts on both sides of the dress to make it look good and to keep the skirt seams balanced on the body.
I'm assuming you have more of each of the fabrics and can add to each of the opened side seams. I personally would do it the lazy way and add a strip to each seam allowance (matching the fabrics and seams as I went along) and then refit the dress on the person. Mark the new seams (you'll be essentially adding a gusset to each side) and restitch the side without the zipper, insert the zipper, etc.
I think small inserts on each side will be the least noticeable.
But maybe there's a way to make the inserts a design feature. Or you could recut the waist section to the correct size and only need to add to the skirt. But this involves removing the current waist section and then attaching the new one. I guess that call depends on which thing you think is the least onerous....
Elaine
-- Edited on 12/29/09 5:21 PM --
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blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
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