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Norah & Shelby Sew Along – Day 5

The final day of the sew-along is here! It seems like pockets were a little bit tricky yesterday. If you still have questions, please reach out to me for help or clarification. Today we are hemming and attaching our skirts. Also, if you have decided to add ties to your Norah bodice you will add them after attaching the skirt. We’re almost done so let’s finish this!

Norah

If you are making the circle skirt version you have two hemming options. The first is to fold the hem up 1/4″ and press, then fold an additional 1/4″ and press. Topstitch the hem 1/8″ from the edge. Or, you can serge/zigzag stitch along the skirt hem. Then, fold the hem up 1/2″ and press. Topstitch the hem 3/8 from the edge.

For the rectangular skirt start by folding up the hem 1/2″ and press. Fold up an additional 2″ and press again. Topstitch your hem 1 7/8″ from the bottom edge.

Once your skirt has been hemmed, sew two rows of gathering stitches along the top of your skirt. I like to sew the gathering stitches at 1/8″ and 1/4″ from the raw edge. Adjust the gathers to the same width as your bodice. You can choose whether or not to gather the pocket area. If you choose not to gather the pocket, more of it will show on your finished garment.

Next, flip the skirt over the bodice so they are right sides facing. Match up your side seams and pin. Make certain that if you added pockets they are facing the front of your bodice. Evenly distribute your gathers and continue pinning the skirt to the bodice. Sew/serge the skirt to the bodice.

Turn your dress right side out. Push the bodice/skirt seam up towards the neckline and topstitch your bodice 1/8″ from the seam.

Optional Side Ties

Start by folding each short end of your ties in 1/4″ and press. Now, fold the strap in half lengthwise and press to create a crease. Open up the strap and fold the long raw edges in toward the center crease. Press in place. With the raw edges pressed in toward the center, fold the strap in half again along the center crease. This will encase the raw edges. Topstitch along all four sides 1/8″ from the edge.

Cut your ties in half. You should now have 4 ties. Measure straight down from the neckline of your bodice to the bottom and mark with a pin. Repeat with the back of the bodice. You should have 4 marks.

Next, with right sides facing down, lay one tie with the raw edge along the mark you made on the bodice. The raw edge will be facing the side seams of the bodice. Make certain to line the tie up along the bodice and skirt seam. Pin and sew the tie in place 1/4″ from the raw edge. Backstitch several times to really secure the ties in place.

Finally, flip the tie over the raw edge you just sewed. Measure 3/8″ from the short folded edge and topstitch the tie in place again. Repeat with the remaining ties.

Shelby

Similarly, Shelby also has several hemming options. If using woven fabric for the skirt start by folding the hem up 1/4″ and press. Fold an additional 1/4″ and press. Topstitch 1/8″ from the edge. However, if you are using knit fabric, serge/zigzag stitch along the hem. Fold the hem up 1/2″ and press. Topstitch the hem in place 3/8″ from the edge.

For gathered skirts, sew two rows of gathering stitches. Pull the gathering threads to adjust your skirt to be the same width as the bodice.

Regardless if you are doing a circle skirt or gathered skirt, flip the skirt over the bodice so they are right sides facing. Match up your side seams and pin. However, if you added pockets make certain that you line up the center of the pocket bag piece with the side seam of the bodice. Finally, sew/serge the skirt to the bodice. Flip right side out and you are done!

Daily Progess

After all that hard work don’t forget to upload your finished Norah or Shelby into the sew-along album in the fan group. You have until Sunday night at 8pm CST to submit all daily progress photos. After that I will select a winner for each day to win shop credit! I hope you enjoyed this sew along and would love for you to leave feedback. I also look forward to seeing you all next month when we sew up Jaimesyn.

Thank you

I would like to thank Art Gallery Fabrics for graciously sponsoring the fabrics used in this sew along. For the Norah dress I used fabrics from Mister Domestic’s Playroom collection. Shelby was made from fabrics in the Little Clementine collection. And if you loved the cover photo fabrics, well our very own Katie Skoog designed those. Be sure to check out her new collection Hello Sunshine which is available for purchase now.

 

Happy sewing,

Chauncey

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