BILLIE JEAN SEW-ALONG- # 9 BOTH DRESSES - SIDE SEAMS & SOME HAND STITCHING....

Howdy sew-alongers! This week we are so close to the end of the Billie Jean sew along! So lets get started.

This sew-along post we will stitching up the side seams on Dress 1, and  throwing in a little hand stitching on Dress 2.Before we start, below are all the previous sew-along posts for you to eye-ball if you need:


#1 - Getting started
#2 -  Full Bust Adjustment
#3 - Assemble the bodice
#4 - Assemble the skirts
#5 - Dress 1 - Bodice to skirt
#6 - Attach the lining
#7 - Dress 2 - Side seams and attach bodice to skirt 
#8 - Dress1 - Centre back seam, skirt vent & Lapped zippers

Step 1 - Dress 1  Side seams

Open the dress lining away from the dress shell. Right sides together, pin the dress shell front to the dress back at the side seams, and do the same for the dress lining, make sure to match up all  of the waist and underarm seams.

Stitch the dress shell and dress lining side seams together in one continuous seam, starting from the hem. Repeat on  both of the dress side seams.
Finish the seams and press.
Turn your dress shell and lining right way out, and your done!

Dress 2 - Hand stitch the bodice lining to the waistline seam

Have you got ya needles and thread ready? We are going to be hand stitching the bodice lining on Dress 2 down to the waistline seam.

I have used an 'overcast stitch' to attach my bodice lining to the waistline, which helps to fold under the raw edge of the bodice lining, so you get a clean finish.

It is basically a diagonal stitch, spaced at even distance apart,  all the whole around the waistline and i find it to be the easiest way to stitch the bodice lining in place at the waistline and the most secure.

First off you need to pin your bodice lining in place, by folding it under so you get a clean edge and all raw edges are concealed and pinning it down to the waist line.

Starting from the either side of the back edge zipper opening, you can begin hand stitching it in place.

Woo hoo next blog post will be the last of the Billie Jean sew-along, we will be tackling the final task  the dress hems for both of the dresses and a few finishing touches here 'n' there.

 Wednesday the 7th of August is the official last day of the sew-along, so make sure you have your photos uploaded to the FLICKR GROUP so i have time to collate them and show them off on Friday 9th August! And giveaway some super cute prizes to the bestest Billie Jean dresses!


Abby
x

BILLIE JEAN SEW-ALONG # 3 - ASSEMBLE THE BODICE - BOTH DRESSES...

Howdy! Today's sew along blog post we will be assembling  the dress bodices and also the bodice linings. These steps apply to both dress bodices. My theory behind posting so soon again, because its nearly the weekend! And what does that mean?... SEWING AND LOTS OF IT! So if you are joining in on the Billie Jean sew-along so far you will have a lot to work with.

If you are just joining the sew-along you can check out  what we have done so far and what we are up to, in the previous sew-along blog posts, here and here.



OK lets get started on our bodices.....



Step 1 - Stay Stitching


Stay stitch the front and back bodice neckline's 0.5' away from the neckline edge.

* Apologies i totally forgot to get a photo of the stay stitching! But you probably get the main idea...



Step 2 -  Assemble the Front bodice

Right sides together, pin the side front panel (4) to the centre  front bodice panel (3). You may have to ease the side front panel piece into the curve of the centre front bust area.
Repeat this process on both sides of the centre front bodice.

Stitch in place  each bodice side front panel (4) to the centre front bodice (3), taking care and stitching slowly around the bust curve.

Clip the seam curves on each side of the front bodice and press them open.


Step 3 -Assemble the bodice back 

Right sides together pin in place the side back panel (2) piece to the centre back bodice piece (1). 
Repeat on both sides of the back bodice.

Stitch both side back panels in place to the centre back bodice, taking care when stitching around the bust curve.
Clip curves on back bodice seams and press seams open.

* REPEAT ALL OF THESE STEPS FOR YOUR LINING BODICE, ON BOTH DRESS VERSIONS.




DRESS - 2 ONLY 

Ok folks these steps below are for those of you who are sewing up the dress 2 version of the Billie Jean sewing pattern, the full gathered skirt dress. Dress 1 peeps, you can sit these steps out!

Step 1 -  SHOULDERS SEAMS



Right sides together pin the front and back bodice together at shoulder seams

Stitch shoulder seams together, finish seams and press open.

* REPEAT THESE STEPS FOR YOUR  DRESS 2  BODICE  LINING


That's all for this sew - along post folks!

Just to recap on what you will have sewn up after this  post:

Dress 1 - If you are sewing up a wiggle dress, you will so far have your main bodice & bodice lining front and back  assembled, but not yet stitched up at the shoulder seams or side seams.

Dress 2 - If you are sewing up the full gathered skirt dress, you will so far  have your main  bodice & bodice lining front and back assembled and stitched at the shoulder seams, but not the side seams.


Happy sewing and have a lovely weekend sew-alongers!

Abby
xxx