Gertie Sews Jiffy Dresses by Gretchen Hirsch

Author:Gretchen Hirsch
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2019-03-18T16:00:00+00:00

POCKET DESIGN IDEAS

• Cut a plaid or striped fabric on the bias for a striking effect.

• Use a contrasting color fabric or even use a second print as an accent to the garment’s print.

• Try changing the shape of the pocket, like curving the bottom edge.

• Stitch a flat trim like lace, pompoms, or rickrack across the upper edge of the pocket.

• Layer pockets asymmetrically on top of each other as on the plaid Swirl Dress (below).

Bows

Always feminine and flirty, bows are a great addition to any vintage-inspired dress. Stitch a fabric bow at a neckline or on a sleeve hem, like I did for the Boatneck Dress sheath variation on this page. Making a bow is just a process of sewing rectangles!

1. Figure out your desired dimensions for the bow. Cut a fabric rectangle that is twice the desired width (plus seam allowances) by the desired length (plus seam allowances). I like to use ¼" (6 mm) seam allowances on bows, as it means less trimming.

2. Fold the fabric lengthwise, right sides together, and sew around the cut edges, leaving an opening for turning. Clip the corners and turn the piece right side out (A).

3. Press. Sew the opening closed by hand using a slipstitch.

4. Pinch the rectangle at the center so it looks like a piece of bowtie pasta. Secure with a hand stitch through the entire width. At this point, you can cover the center of the bow with a button and stitch directly to your dress. Alternatively, you can make a second rectangle to cover the center and mimic a knot.

5. To add a knot, figure out the dimensions for the knot rectangle. It needs to be long enough to wrap around the center of the bow (plus seam allowances), and it should be double the desired finished width (plus seam allowances).

6. Fold the fabric rectangle lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch the long edge. Turn the tube right side out through one open end and press flat.

7. Wrap the knot rectangle around the bow, with the raw edges overlapped in the back (turn under the raw edge of the end on top for a clean finish). Hand-sew the short ends together to secure the knot.

8. Sew the bow to your dress by tacking it from behind with hand stitches.

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