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
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BILLIE JEAN SEW-ALONG # 6 - ATTACH THE LINING - BOTH DRESSES.....

Today's sew-along post we will be attaching our linings to our Billie Jean dresses. This process of attaching the lining applies to BOTH of the Billie Jean dresses i.e Dress 1 is fully lined and Dress 2 only the bodice is lined.


First up here are the last sew-along posts:

#1 - Getting started
#2 -  Full Bust Adjustment
#3 - Assemble the bodice
#4 - Assemble the skirts
#5 - Dress 1 - Attach the bodice to the  skirt 

So here we go, lets attach out linings:

Step - Attaching the lining

 I decided to use the below image, instead of taking photos of this step in the process, as it is a lot clearer to understand the actual  process of attaching the bodice lining to the bodice shell.

With right sides together, lay the bodice lining on top of the bodice shell, this applies to both of the Billie Jean dresses.
 Align all the neckline and armhole edges and pin in place at the neckline and armholes.
Stitch the lining to the bodice shell at the armholes. Then stitch the bodice lining and bodice shell together at the neckline, starting and stopping at least 1/2'' - 1'' away from the bodice back edge to allow for the zipper to be inserted.

Trim the seams at the armholes and neckline.

Turn the entire dress right side out, by pulling the lining through the at the shoulders. This turned out to be incredibly  hard step to photograph, without confusing the process even more! So i do apologise that i don't have an actual photo of this, but the below image shows you the point in the shoulder to pull through the lining. It is a bit of a squeeze, especially when pulling through the whole Dress 1 lining at the shoulders, but it does work, just pull it through slowly!

Once you have the dress and lining right out, you will need to press the neckline and armhole, to get a nice finish. If you like you can top stitch the neckline for a little bit extra fanciness!

That's all folks! Next up is  Dress 2  we will be stitching up the  bodice side seams, and attaching the bodice to your awesome full gathered skirt... its gonna look like a real dress, pretty soon!

Sew-along recap:

Dress 1 - You  should now  have  the dress lining attached at the neckline and armholes, and completely pulled through at the bodice shoulders, and nicely pressed. You will also still  have your side seams left un-stitched and also the centre back skirt seam.

Dress 2 - You should now have your bodice lining attached at the neckline and armholes, and completely pulled through at the bodice shoulders, and nicely pressed. You will have your  bodice shell and lining side seams still  un-stitched.


Check in with your fellow sew-alongers on Twitter using hash tag #billiejeansewalong , Facebook or over on the Flickr group...... I am already starting to see some pretty amazing Billie Jean's being sewn up out in the wild!


Happy sewing!

Abby
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