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Fun Fairy pattern explained #1550 - hems

8/2/2013

5 Comments

 
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Aren't these wonderful fairy costumes!!! I'm afraid I can't take credit for the design, although I'd like to.  But, I can take all the credit for making the actual costumes look as close to the illustrations as possible.

Every year I do a few ghost pattern making jobs for Simplicity.  Usually it's a Disney movie tie in. 

These two outfits were a challenge and a lot of fun.

The instructions say all those wavy cut edges on the blouse and short outer skirt have the option of being hemmed or left unhemmed. But, to get the curled effect like on the illustrations, the edges must be hemmed.  Plus the hemming can be in a contrast thread color, which makes the curled hem edges pop. There are two methods that will work and I am going to show you how to do both.


You can either use the hemming feature on your serger with the stitch length set very short or zig zag twice over the cut edges. The zig zag should be set at it's widest width and shortest length.  The edges need to be stretched while doing either method for the best results.

These photos will sometimes show the serger and sometimes the regular machine zig zagging.  But, the technique is basically the same, except the zig zagged hem really needs to be done twi.

I strongly recommend practicing on some scrap fabric of the same kind before hemming the actual garment,
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The hemming is done in small sections from point to point. Start each section at the tip of an unhemmed point.
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Run the hemming off the edge, pulling if you can ...
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If you are having trouble pulling the back end of each point or if the points are getting sucked into the stitching hole, use a length of thread sewn through the fabric near the tip ....
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So ... this woven fabric has the serged hem on the left and the double zig zagged hem on the right.
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Stretch while hemming.
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Finish each point either by tying the long end of thread that hangs off the point or cut short and use some fray check or glue.
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so you can pull it like this!
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And this knit fabric has the serged hem on the left and the double zig zagged hem on the right. You can see that with a knit fabric, you can get a better "lettuce" effect with the zig zagged hem. This is because it's easier to really stretch it while you are hemming.
Next next week I will post a blog with tips about the wings and ivy neck and head accessories.
5 Comments
Suzan Langston link
8/2/2013 03:59:00 am

Is this a pattern that is available now for purchase? Thanks!!

Reply
Tiffany Zaluski
8/2/2013 07:20:16 am

You can purchase the pattern at Hobby Lobby Stores or you can order it from Simplicity.com

Reply
Nancy Manczak
8/14/2013 01:10:31 am

Did I miss the blog about the wings? I can't seem to find it.

Reply
Sherry
8/14/2013 03:36:05 am

Can you show how to do the wings? I missed it as well.

Reply
Andrea Schewe
8/14/2013 02:32:47 am

You didn't miss it. I will post that next week.

Reply

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    From Andrea 

    I am a commercial pattern maker who is now "sewing over 50"!
    I love to sew and hope to encourage others to come back to sewing.
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