Sew, What's New?

Curating sewing and quilting talent, techniques, and tutorials, since 1997.

Hawaiian Blue Summer Dress - How To


This style is a very fast and easy dress to make. Its perfect for any occasion or just to wear around the house or over a bathing suit.  You can make it as long or as short as you would like.  You can have shoulder straps of any style to accent the top part. The straps can be on each shoulder, cross ways in the back or tie around the neck.
Have fun with several designs. Add embellishments as I did here to my little white dress.

I added a silk 2" ribbon with a beautiful teal and brown print.
I did 25 rows of shirring for this paticular dress, I have all my measurements listed below. I also found a great youtube video from Threadbanger so hop over and check it out
YOUTUBE VIDEO - HOW TO MAKE A SUMMER DRESS - SHIRRING

MATERIALS USED
Fabric of your choice
cotton thread that matches your material
elastic thread  for bottom bobbin - "hand wind" do not machine wind this thread
HOW I DID IT
I first measure my bodies width and add 1.5x for the shirring - cut 2
Next  the length I want the dress to be plus 1/2" for th eseam allowance on both ends
For this dress my girlfriend is a 38 so the width of each fabric piece is 57"
The length I did is 46" so then you would need (2) pieces cut at 57 x 46
Now sew the side seams of the two fabrics together only on one side
You will first do the hems on each top and bottom of the dress before you start shirring
Begin to shir and add as many rows as you would like.

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Comment by SewSassy on July 29, 2011 at 8:47pm
After watching the video you used for inspiration it does answer a lot of the questions, not brand, but they propose using the longest stitch length, locking stitches in at the beginning and end of the rows, stitching rows about 1/2 inch apart using the presser foot as a guide, stitched from top to bottom, no mention of hoding taut and no steaming.   THREADBANGER does a great job with quick ad hoc versions of things that work.
Comment by Elaine Nagel on July 29, 2011 at 2:33pm
Awesome. I'm interested in seeing how you answer all the questions Londa Rohlfing left as they are the same I would have. Elaine
Comment by Shannon on July 29, 2011 at 9:28am
Will be doing a Childs size detailed tutorial this coming weekend :-)I will be sure to include all our questions
Comment by Londa Rohlfing on July 29, 2011 at 8:54am

Looks great - though help us...Can you be more specific on the shirring technique?  What brand of elastic thread did you use.  You hand wind it on the bobbin...then what stitch length? Did you adjust tension on needle or bobbin?  How far apart?  Does it draw up all itself, or do you have to do something?  Obviously yhou have to hold it taut to do subsequent rows.  Do you do top, botton, then middle, then middles of those section, or just start at one side and keep going down the depth with each row?  Do you steam it after stitching?  I tried this on my Baby Alyssa Sunsuit - and the threads popped even on me - so know they wouldn't hold up on wearing...

VERY curious - I've just never gotten this to work to my satisfaction and you obviously have...

Will appreciate detailed answers.  Thanks!

  

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