Girls Dottie Angel Frock: How I did... Part two.

The next stages, with the binding, I find are the most challenging of all with the Dottie Angel frocks. I really do need to figure an easier way of doing these stages.

 

Firstly, the easier bit of sewing the shoulder seams together.

 

Then the pattern requires you to add binding over the seams. You pin and sew the binding so it covers the seam.

 

Next is the hardest bit I find. The attaching of the binding around the neck. This was really hard on the girls version. As you will see in the finished versions I ended up stretching the neck hole out of shape. I really do need to find an easier was to do this, as this is by far the worst part of this pattern.

 

Next is the slightly easier task of applying the binding to the arm holes. You apply the binding from the marks on the bodice patterns, from to back. Same as with the neck hole, you firstly apply the binding wrong side to the right side of the fabric. Then fold over to the wrong side, so you are encasing the raw edge under the binding, creating a nice finish on the edge of the hole. You then stitch this down on both sides of the binding to ensure it is securely in place.

 

Now is to sew up the side seams. The pattern calls for a French seam on this, but I found with both this version and the adult version with the bilk created by using binding on the arm holes, this isn't practical so a well pinned ordinary seam is what I used.

 

Lastly is the bottom finishing, Once again, the pattern calls for binding to be applied, in the same manor as with the neck and arm holes. I decided to go a little differently, I pinned and pressed the hem up, then pinned the binding over that hem on the wrong side, so as to give the illusion and the same stitching on the right side, but to avoid the bit that I struggle with haha.

 

and voila! finished! I do enjoy sewing this pattern and enjoy the end result even more. I just think for some of the techniques my skill set is sadly lacking. I'm hoping that as I sew for longer I will get better and thus be able to do more. I find sewing is all about challenging yourself and making mistakes is how you learn! I don't know how many times I'm going to have to get this pattern wrong before I get it right though haha (5 & counting now!). Anyway, here are the pictures of the finished result. As you can see I the neck is definitely stretched out and its a little big on the girly, but I'm hoping she'll grow into it. She does look hellava cute in it, and she's a beauty anyway :)