Jr. bridesmaid dress, need pattern/suggestions/advice

[Mom of Six]

I am using that pattern for my Grandaughters dresses for their Aunt Kim's wedding, I am using Casa Satin with sparkles
Let me know if you run into any problems that I should watch for.

[bridesmom]

Kathy, can you download patterns? I can't remember if you have dial up or cable internet. Sewing patterns.com has lots of patterns for a few dollars that can be downloaded, it's a lot of paper to print but you can just print off the ones you need. What size are you making again?? I may have something in my pattern stash that I could photocopy and send you. I have a nightgown pattern that is a crossover for a little girl with an empire waist, it would give you the idea of how it would fit together, rather than buying another pattern. Let me know OK?

[kjh9835]

I have a nightgown pattern that is a crossover for a little girl with an empire waist

ooh, that sounds perfect. Is that a recent pattern, as in, can I go get one of those? I can download some stuff fairly easily esp with the weather being nice. Documents and most pics are good but larger media type files/videos, etc. are so much of a pain that I hardly even try anymore.

Never thought of a nightgown pattern. She is a tiny 6 yr old: chest 21", waist 19 1/2", Hip 22", Neck to waist 10" and waist to floor 25 1/2". That would be what I call a "combo-size" as In chest/waist/hip smaller than a 3, neck to waist a size 5 and length a size 6. I bought the 3-4-5-6 pattern and started with the size 4 for the bodice in length with the muslin knowing I could take up/re-fit as needed. I'm more concerned with fitting the bodice as the skirt is nothing but panels and adjusting the length.

I did some crossover jumpers when my girls were little, Daisy Kingdom panels. I can "see" the pieces in my head but can't convert that to paper esp since this is nearly strapless and not sleeveless as the jumpers were. I know that sounds odd but I just can't get it from my brain to the paper.

Thanks

Kathy

[Mule]

That looks like a great pattern! Maybe you could gather a couple of rectangular fabric pieces cut on the bias, and lay them over the bodice piece. Trim the edges to match, then sew on the lining/facing. Just a thought....

[kjh9835]

Been thinking on this one a bit....I kinda have the bodice gathering figured out but not exactly with the upper curve of the sweetheart neckline I made. When I went to put it on the muslin, I had a raw edge along the diagonal so then I figured the chiffon needs its own lining then the muslin dress so 3 layers instead of just 2 but only on the bodice. Why did it take me 2 days to figure that out??????? Must be the meds again. I swear my thinking and memory are getting worse!

Looked at a few nightgown patterns online but then got busy with company coming so I had to clean a bit and fix some side dishes but took a break in the pool inbetween and laid out on the new daybed. It was glorious.

Back to sewing tomorrow. It's been a great weekend.

Kathy

[bridesmom]

Kathy, it's mccalls 5744http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m5744-products-7930.php?page_id=907

[kjh9835]

It is chiffon. I am not messing with finicky, fussy, fabric and I told her it was too much for me to handle.

Then she asked about meeting me at the fabric store with a swatch to find fabric of same color but something I could work with. I told her reds are hard to match and I doubt she'd find anything but I would meet her one day this week. If they don't find a red to match, she may have to go with another wedding color for this dress.

I've also put out a call to the formalwear alterations lady here in town to see if she'd be interested in making it.

Joe helped me draft out the pattern for the top once I showed him a picture and told him what I wanted, we based it on the actual bodice piece from the pattern for size. I cut it out and attempted to assemble it but can't get the chiffon to gather up like I want for the cross wrap drape. It does not cooperate very well so I quit for now. We'll see what we can come up with if we find another fabric.

Kathy

[MartySews2]

The trick to sewing with chiffon is to use a water soluable stabilizer for the seams & a small sharp needle on the sewing machine. Tulle might work as it is not as slippery as chiffon. Works great when using a serger on chiffon with stabilizer wrapped around the seams.
Marty

[bridesmom]

I've seen jr bridesmaids that are in white like the bride, and had ribbons to match the bridesmaids dresses. That would be easier, and you could do a more satiny fabric then, if that's what the brides dress is out of.

[Skye]

Good luck with the chiffon. You could try the gelatin trick - I haven't used it but know sewists who have and say it makes huge difference.
Lena Martin - of Iconic paterns posted this on Patternreview

Gelatine for fabric handling
The recipe: take 3 teaspoons of gelatin and put it in a glass of cold water, leave it for 30 minutes. Then bring to boil, but do not boil. Add 3 litres of cool water. Pour this gelatin water in the bucket, put your chiffon there, leave it for an hour, then gently squeeze water out and spread out on the clothing line. Iron it ( when completely dry ) and it is ready to cut. The fabric will be tame but still flexible.