amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

Christi · 06-27-2006, 04:28 PM

I'm pretty new to sewing - one day I'll take a class but for now I'm learning as I go. I've scanned in the pattern directions I'm using and I just have a couple questions if some kind soul has the time.

As for the interfacing, is there a right and wrong side to it?
I'm not sure I understand why there will only be an opening on one side for turning and not the other. Or is the Interfacing supposed to be all one piece, not three like the fabric?

martinanne · 06-27-2006, 04:37 PM

Of the sew-in interfacings I have, they do not appear to have a right or wrong side.

And you only need to leave an opening for turning on one side because by the time you are going to turn the garment right side out...both the fashion fabric and the interfacing will be sewn together into one big piece. So you only need one hole to pull it all through.

If it were me, I would use a cute coordinating fabric on the inside instead of interfacing. Then the dress could be reversible. But even if you don't ever wear it with the reverse side out, you can still see the inside when it's worn. That's just the nature of this style of dress. That's why I would choose a cute fabric to use instead of the plain ole interfacing.

Christi · 06-27-2006, 05:09 PM

Thank you - so if I did make it reversible, would I cut the other fabric in 3 pieces like the original or just one big piece?

Christi · 06-27-2006, 05:41 PM

Ok, nm it can't be all one piece because my interfacing isn't tall enough... I'm confused. LOL

notamos · 06-27-2006, 05:46 PM

It looks like you're making a swing top or short dress, is that what it is?

Personally I'm terrible about following pattern instructions, looking at that diagram I'd construct each side seperately, then stitch the whole thing together while leaving a space to turn, then turn it and either topstitch the hem or hand-stitch the spot where I turned.

Christi · 06-27-2006, 05:50 PM

I've already sewn the fabric pieces together - the next step says to sew the sew-in interfacing on but I'm getting confused as to how to do it.

Here's a pic of the pattern envelope.

Does that help any? I thought this was going to be an easy pattern... grr!!

martinanne · 06-27-2006, 06:18 PM

Without seeing the whole pattern, I would guess that you sew the pieces of interfacing together just like you did with the pieces of fashion fabric. Then place the fashion fabric and the interfacing right sides together (in this case the interfacing does have a right and wrong side...the wrong side is the side with the seam allowances sticking out). Sew all the way around the outside edges, leaving a small pocket to turn the whole thing right side out. Then you can topstitch all the way around it if you want.

I made a dress like this last year. Different pattern, but nearly identical dress. I used the Sew Baby One Piece Reversible Sundress pattern. It uses one big piece for each side instead of three pieces sewn together. Here's a picture. You can see how you can kind of see the reverse side fabric (stripes). It's even more visible when it's being worn.

To answer your question, if you decide to make it reversible you can either piece it together like you did with the first fabric, or you can cut it out as one big piece. Whichever is easier.

Christi · 06-27-2006, 06:55 PM

Thank you! I think I got it - I'm about to iron the interfacing - we'll see how it turns out!