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what do you use and how do you do it? (Moderated by EleanorSews)
Posted on: 8/5/06 12:44 PM ET
I first wanted to say hi, this is my first post and I'm happy to be here!
Secondly, I'm about to sew a simple A line dress for my 3 year old that I saw for an outrageous price in a department store recently. I'm using the same fabric and noticed that the dress in the store looked very crisp and that it was lined. Although the fabric is of good quality it does seem to pop more with a white "lining" underneath.
I'm a super beginner and was wondering what the easiest way to line a simple dress without much fuss? Could I just cut the liner and the pattern pieces and sew them as one? If so what sort of fabric does one use to line a dress, I realize it would have to have the same care instructions but are there some better then others?
Thanks so much for your help!
Secondly, I'm about to sew a simple A line dress for my 3 year old that I saw for an outrageous price in a department store recently. I'm using the same fabric and noticed that the dress in the store looked very crisp and that it was lined. Although the fabric is of good quality it does seem to pop more with a white "lining" underneath.
I'm a super beginner and was wondering what the easiest way to line a simple dress without much fuss? Could I just cut the liner and the pattern pieces and sew them as one? If so what sort of fabric does one use to line a dress, I realize it would have to have the same care instructions but are there some better then others?
Thanks so much for your help!
Posted on: 8/5/06 1:52 PM ET
In reply to heatherz
Heather,
Yes, you can cut the dress, cut the lining, and sew them as one. This is called underlining. If you underline, when you get to hemming, you may wish to cut the hem of the lining fabric at the finished hem length and just turn up the dress fabric at the hem (over the underlining fabric). This way, you won't have 4 thickness of fabric to turn up as the hem.
Alternatively, you can cut the dress and sew it except for facings and hem it; cut the lining identically and sew it except for facings and hem it; put the dress and lining together with all wrong sides on the inside of the dress/lining "sandwich." Then attach the neck facing and sleeve facings (if sleeveless) to the "sandwich."
Regardless of which method you choose and depending upon your experience level, you may wish to do a bit of hand basting here and there to keep the dress portion and lining portion from slipping out away from each other as you attach facings.
The lining fabric should be of a similar fiber to the dress fabric. If the dress is cotton, the lining should be a fine white cotton, perhaps cotton batiste. If the dress is synthetic fiber, the lining should be a fine synthetic, perhaps Bamberg. Don't buy that cheap poly "standard" lining as it might be too thick for a child's dress and it would be very hot.
Prewash everything so you don't get 'surprise' shrinkings.
Kate
Yes, you can cut the dress, cut the lining, and sew them as one. This is called underlining. If you underline, when you get to hemming, you may wish to cut the hem of the lining fabric at the finished hem length and just turn up the dress fabric at the hem (over the underlining fabric). This way, you won't have 4 thickness of fabric to turn up as the hem.
Alternatively, you can cut the dress and sew it except for facings and hem it; cut the lining identically and sew it except for facings and hem it; put the dress and lining together with all wrong sides on the inside of the dress/lining "sandwich." Then attach the neck facing and sleeve facings (if sleeveless) to the "sandwich."
Regardless of which method you choose and depending upon your experience level, you may wish to do a bit of hand basting here and there to keep the dress portion and lining portion from slipping out away from each other as you attach facings.
The lining fabric should be of a similar fiber to the dress fabric. If the dress is cotton, the lining should be a fine white cotton, perhaps cotton batiste. If the dress is synthetic fiber, the lining should be a fine synthetic, perhaps Bamberg. Don't buy that cheap poly "standard" lining as it might be too thick for a child's dress and it would be very hot.
Prewash everything so you don't get 'surprise' shrinkings.
Kate
Posted on: 8/5/06 8:43 PM ET
Thank you so much. That answered my question perfectly!
Posted on: 8/5/06 10:29 PM ET
This book has the pattern for the little lined A-line dress with buttons on each shoulder that has been popular around where I live. It is sized from 1 to 6. Though I find that I had to add length, since it tends to run short and wide to me. There is also a pattern for a boy's Jon-jon sized 1 to 6 as well. The Jon-jon seems to really run short. I had to add much length.
The dress is really easy to sew and if you take your time and press well AS YOU GO you can have a very cute little dress. I have seen some people make these and not press until the end and they look terrible. I have never done one with applique though I have made several. I like them in prints. The how-to turn right-side-out looks a little tricky to visualize, but is really pretty easy.
Martha's Favorite Applique
Edited to add that I second Kate's recommendation to pre-wash. I made with a cotton fabric and lined with poly/cotton. It was not pretty after it was washed. The lining bagged like crazy.
-- Edited on 8/5/06 10:31 PM --
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The dress is really easy to sew and if you take your time and press well AS YOU GO you can have a very cute little dress. I have seen some people make these and not press until the end and they look terrible. I have never done one with applique though I have made several. I like them in prints. The how-to turn right-side-out looks a little tricky to visualize, but is really pretty easy.
Martha's Favorite Applique
Edited to add that I second Kate's recommendation to pre-wash. I made with a cotton fabric and lined with poly/cotton. It was not pretty after it was washed. The lining bagged like crazy.
-- Edited on 8/5/06 10:31 PM --
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Becky
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