Tuesday, July 07, 2009

The gala dress muslin

Remembering the 52 people killed in London on this day, 4 years ago.
It rained on and off all day too, which I always find appropriate. And since it was raining, I didn't even go out at all. I got some reading done and then I cut out the muslin. It was easy because I didn't cut a single layer but allowed the fabric to be double thickness, saving myself a lot of time and fussing. And I didn't use pinking shears, as all the seams will be finished in some way.
gala dress muslin
Then I fused on the interfacing to the yoke and midriff. I may go with sew-in interfacing on the actual dress, depending on the fabric. I often find fusible interfacing eventually bubbles in some fashion. I looked at the over-all colour of the fabric and decided on the ocher colour for the thread and zipper. It was a toss up, really, but I figured the ocher colour was the most muted and least likely to stand out.
gala dress muslin
I have started to stack up the pieces to be sewed together. You can't really tell from this photo but the instructions call for french seams and I have pinned the pieces together, wrong sides together. That always goes against the grain (whoo, all these sewing metaphors!) as the pieces are usually right sides together. I have to double check each one before I stick it under the needle and get going.

6 comments:

Julia said...

That fabric is gorgeous!

Marty said...

I love your first picture-the promise of a new project, all assembled and ready to go. I get the same feeling from a new skein of yarn. I know, I'm easily entertained!

Carmen said...

Interfacing...Darrell taught us to Absolutely not use steam. So, dry, hot iron... Works like a charm, no bubbles!

JuliaR said...

Thanks Julia but don't let it fool you - it is cheap!

Marty, don't worry, I am also easily amused! But I know what you mean - I love going into stationery stores too - all those supplies neatly lined up!

Carmen, I learned that about the steam some little time ago and have been using a dry iron ever since, so maybe it is only my older clothes that have the bubbles - I'm not sure which ones I have made without steam. But for sure with sew-in, you don't get the bubbles. But I'll be consulting with the master when I buy his fabric anyway!

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Diana said...

I don't use steam and have no problem with bubbles. I was told recently that if you just immerse your interfacing in hot water ,swish it around, and then hang to dry without wringing it, it will not bubble when you press it on to your fabric.
I'm looking forward to seeing your dress. The fabric is so pretty.