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The muslin and organza laid out to cut the linen. |
This is Vogue 8648 and I am using couture techniques as described in Susan Khalje's Craftsy Class, The Couture Dress.
I used the fitted muslin as my pattern to cut the organza. Then, I was supposed to use the organza to cut each piece of fashion fabric. In this case, it is linen. Since I was concerned about the tracing lines, I decided to keep the muslin attached to the organza. Just in case the traced lines didn't show.
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The white traced lines did show on the white organza-- with a dark background. |
Thread tracing and hand basting the Little White Dress has been tedious. I have spend a few days doing this. I was so concerned that using white wax tracing paper wouldn't show up on the white silk organza. Then when I tried it, it did show up. But not once I put it on the white linen.
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Very blurry picture of how I pinned the muslin so that I could thread trace/baste the organza and linen on the seam lines. This took a couple of days. |
To get the stitch lines, I ended up folding back the muslin and pinning almost on the line. I then used a running stitch to baste the organza and linen together. These lines will also be used as the guide to stitch the pieces together when I baste. And if all goes well when assembling with the machine. This was tedious pinning and I poked myself a number a times so I tried something else.
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The purple lines are an air pen. They disappeared within an hour or so. Be sure to test before trying! |
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This is a picture Mr. Toad took of the back. It was hand basted and the zipper was pinned in. |
I started thread tracing and basting on Thursday or Friday and finished sometime towards the end of the Super Bowl. Actually, I finished the bodice and the midriff. The skirt is a circle skirt and I wasn't really worried about the fit.
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Finally, machine stitched. See how unruly the seam allowances are? |
Now, I think Mr. Toad needs to take a fitting class. Trying to explain what I needed, just confused him. So, I had him help with the zipper and took it off and on, pin fitting until it was right.
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The seam allowances are catch stiched to the organza. The stitches do not go through to the right side. |
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I have a long way to go. |
I was able to machine stitch everything and assemble the dress today! Once stitched together, I removed all the basting thread, and pressed the seams, then pressed them open. Finally, I trimmed the seam allowances. I tried to leave them at about one inch, but the Big 4 have trained me to see 5/8 inch as appropriate.
Yep. I forgot to buy a zipper.

What a labor of love! I have considered that class, but wondered if it would be too detailed for my style of sewing. It will be interesting to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteNancy, this dress has taught me so much. The class is wonderful. I bought it over a year ago and have used tidbits here and there. It is through making this dress that so much more has been reinforced and learned. I encourage you to take it. If you make the dress, it is even better. I'm not done with this one and I am already considering different variations!
DeleteI will also post a full review of the class when the dress is finally done.