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Member since 10/1/06
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Posted on: 5/25/16 6:48 PM ET
I volunteered to sew some burial gowns for a local angel babies group. (They provide tiny gowns made from old wedding dresses to hospitals so the babies can be dressed for the parents)

I have basic patterns but the tiny sized sewing is frustrating me. I need advice of how to finish the necklines. If anyone sews this small can you give me some tips?

I am 3 thread serging seams and doing rolled hems but that neckline. ahhhh I cannot get it perfect, and in my book, less than perfect will not do.
  
Member since 11/25/15
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Posted on: 5/25/16 7:53 PM ET
In reply to KathySews
Tiny feet, narrow feed, teacup technique. I won't lie, it's very hard to turn a modern machine 'on a dime' without anchoring one's work to & turning a stabilizer base from it's outermost corners.

If not finishing doll clothing by hand, I must admit to using zipper feet to an obscene degree.
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Pfaffbulous, dahling.
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 5/25/16 8:36 PM ET
In reply to KathySews
Try doing the neckline as a very large facing the size of the front and back bodice. Are you lucky enough to have an old straight stitch only machine? The narrow feet and small needle hole in the plate do a good job of letting you sew precisely.

My second choice would be something like a doubled strip of bias lawn or batiste, matching raw edges to the neckline, then turned either to the outside and edge stitched as a decorative feature, or inside and pressed, understitched and caught at the shoulder seams with stitching.
  
Member since 6/24/07
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Posted on: 5/26/16 2:30 AM ET
I agree with the previous poster. I would cut a double bodice, stitch the shoulder seams and side seams on both pieces, put RS together and face the bodice pieces back, then catch the two layers in the 'waist' seam and sleeve seams. If there's no waist seam and two full layers of fabric right to the hem seem too much, I'd draw a combined facing shape, so that it can still be caught in the sleeve seams. Such a facing or double piece could be in a light fabric if the top fabric is too bulky to be used for both layers. Good luck, it's a lovely helpful project.
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http://patternpandemonium.wordpress.com/
  
Member since 7/17/13
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Posted on: 5/26/16 3:24 AM ET
In reply to KathySews
KathySews ...... I sewed for the Angel Gowns group here in Australia, for a period of time. I put together a tutorial for it, that I am happy to send to you if you would like it. I tried to PM, but as a free member, I can't send new pm's, only reply to them.

For the necklines, I used satin bias binding, combined with making the CB wider, and folding it back on itself like a facing.

Angel gowns - Naomi
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the barefoot seamstress ..... smelling vaguely of lavender and mothballs, and desperately craving chocolate.
www.castley.net/datcat
  
Member since 7/17/13
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Posted on: 5/26/16 3:26 AM ET
You can see the stitching line in this one. Its the smallest size too.

Boys micro gown
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the barefoot seamstress ..... smelling vaguely of lavender and mothballs, and desperately craving chocolate.
www.castley.net/datcat
  
Member since 10/1/06
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Posted on: 5/26/16 7:20 AM ET
Thanks for the tips. I received a gown with very lightweight lining. I will experiment with that to line the gown and maybe make some bias
  
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