Dear Linda;
I am using a standard sewing machine and I am making a skating costume for
my granddaughter which includes this body suit with a little skirt and a
vest. The pattern is very vague with no specific how-to instructions e.g.
none of these garments are lined and there are no instructions as to how to
finish off the edges . I can use all the help that you can give me with my
deepest thanks. I've also got a very short time frame to finish this project. EEEEEKK
Rose Marie
Hi Rose Marie!
Oh goodness, how well I remember that! I used to sew all my niece's
skating costumes on a standard machine before I got my serger. That was so long ago, and
yet I remember like it was yesterday!
Here's what I used to do, and it worked beautifully!
For the bodysuit....
Cut out the pieces and sew together, leaving all edges raw until
the body suit is assembled. Then, take a tape measure and measure
around the armhole, leg hole and neckline. Then, cut elastic as follows;
-- Cut one piece of elastic the same measurement as the neckline.
-- Cut elastic for the arm holes about an inch less than the actual measurement.
-- Cut the leg holes 1.5 " - 2" less than the actual measurement.
The amount for leg hole is determined by what size your grand daughter is.
If she's small (size up to size 8 or so) then use 1.5" less in the elastic.
If she's older (size 10-16) then use a 2" difference.
Tack the ends of the elastic so you have a loop for each.
Starting with one arm, fold the loop in half and pin to the armhole
at the shoulder and underarm. Pin it to the wrong side of the fabric.
Use a wide, long zigzag and stretch the material and elastic a bit as
you sew. Sew the elastic so it comes right to the edge of the lycra.
Then, once it's attached, fold the elastic over like a hem. Change
your zigzag so it's a medium length and width. Stitching on the
inside of the bodysuit, stitch over the raw edge, catching the raw
edges of the fabric in your zigzag. Stretch the armhole a bit as
you sew. Don't be afraid to stretch it too much... you can't stretch
too much.
Then, do the same with the other armhole and the neck.
Here's a really neat tip for the leg holes that prevents it from
riding up and showing the wrong cheeks. Instead of folding the
elastic in half like with the arm hole, sew the elastic "flat" to
the front leg opening. Then stretch like crazy to match up
the back elastic to the fabric. When you fold over and do
the final zigzag, the extra gathering in the bum won't show as
much.... and when she puts it on, her little cheeks will stay
covered properly!
For the skirt...
Just add elastic at the waistline the same way you did with
the bodysuit.... zigzag first to the raw edge of the wrong side
of the fabric. Then fold and zigzag again catching in the raw edges.
To hem, use a really narrow (medium length) zigzag stitch and
roll the edge slightly zigzagging as you go. Don't roll too much
over. Just enough to catch the raw edges in. Less than a
quarter inch is okay.
For the vest...
I'm not sure what the vest is made of, but if it's lycra, I would
just cut out two and sew them together so the whole thing
is self lined and no seams showing. If it's a woven fabric,
you can just carefully hem all around the edges.
I hope these instructions help! Don't hesitate to ask if you
have any questions along the way. And - do feel welcome to
share the instructions with anyone else sewing costumes for the
skating event.
; )
Linda
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