Here’s another view of the same tulle petticoat pictures that I posted earlier today. However, I believe you can see the skirt a bit better with the darker background.
since I’m using a darker background.
This is a lovely project. I believe I’ll embroider these daisies again, next time I’ll use metallic thread; silver and pink. Part of me will be sad once it’s complete, but that’s fine. I’ll be designing more petticoats.
Urban Threads – Engraved Daisies
When working with tulle, I usually hand baste first before I even think about doing any type of machine sewing. Why? Tulle is a slippery fabric and while I know you can use tissue paper to help with this, I still prefer hand sewing even if that means it takes more time. I love hand sewing, for me it’s therapeutic. I don’t need electricity to create something beautiful. Just the basic tools and time of course.
How much hand basting are we talking about? It was a little over 50 yards of tulle, I hand sew fairly quickly, but that still was a lot. This petticoat has three layers of tulle, each layer was secured to the one above with the hand basted stitches. Afterwards, I went back and sewed those stitches with one of my sewing machines. In the above photo, I was using my Brother PC420 Project Runway.
My daughter loves watching the progression of her outfit. Since tulle can be slippery, I decided it might be best to have her working with fabric that isn’t as challenging. She readily agreed.
Yesterday evening, I added the embroidery. You can see the same picture with a different background here. The detail shows up much better at the one I’ve linked.
Here’s a close up of how it appears near the top of the petticoat. My daughter chose a simple floral design from Urban Threads. I believe I’ll finish the petticoat today. Later today, I’ll work on the dress, but for now I do believe I’ll take a tiny break. The elastic needs to be added to the waist and the actual petticoat needs a hem. For the tulle, I believe I’ll add a rolled hem, which means I’ll have to use my serger machine.
In hindsight, I would have used chiffon for the actual petticoat, but that might not have been a great idea since I added the machine embroidered flowers? Well, it would have been doable, but I definitely would have needed a thicker stabilizer. I will be making other petticoats, the next one will most likely be for myself.
Although I have a lovely table to do all my cutting, marking, etc., I still prefer using the floor. My daughter tells me, it’s because I don’t have far to go. I’m 5′. Yes, she’s got jokes!
Oh, I’m wearing my favorite cold sweatshirt. It’s seen several washings, and has bleach spots in a few places, but I still wear it around the house.
My daughter also told me I have too much hair. She said, “Mom, I rarely get your face when I’m trying to take a picture!” My reply, “I’m not the subject the material is the focal point!”
She took this several hours ago. In the picture, you’ll see the beginning of a petticoat that I’m creating for her. I was adding additional marks (with my chalk pencil) for embroidery placement. Since that time, the embroidery was added (with much success I might add) and I’ve also hand basted one layer of tulle ruffle to the petticoat.
I still have about 30 more yards of tulle to do.
Later this afternoon, I’m hoping I have time to draft a pattern for a maxi skirt or pair of pants.
I already have the fabric set aside for the outfit. The only things left is to set aside the time to actually get that accomplished. Of course, that means pulling out the drafting paper, getting my rulers used for drafting, pencils and laying everything out on the large table. I already have the top that will compliment the pants or skirt. It’s that ruffled shirt that’s still waiting in the shadows for inspiration.
You know what would be awesome? Having time to actually start sewing the garment today. This new article of clothing will be a mix of machine and hand-sewn stitches.
Many of my sewing accessories are vintage. I use them because of their quality. I often wonder about the history of the items I own. Who used them before? How often did they use them and what was their life like?
Recently, I finally got around to purchasing an “new to me” iron. I like an iron that is heavy. I also favor metal instead of plastic. At times, it seems you have to search long to find an iron with that trait. Take for example the one I have. It’s mainly plastic, and I’ve had it for a few years, but at times it can be unpredictable. Sputtering and spitting steam all over the place when it doesn’t want to cooperate. When it does, it smooths out the wrinkles, but without the added weight that I adore.
Often, I found myself drifting back to the old Proctor Silex steam iron that I used when I was a child. It was my fathers iron before he married mom. He let me have it since I loved it so much and so that iron followed me from elementary school well into my twenties. I only discarded it because one time I forgot to remove the water and when I turned it on, a few weeks later it sprayed out rusty brown water. I held onto it for quite some time, hoping it would recover, but it never did and so sadly I tossed it aside.
I’ve decided, finally, that it’s high time that I replace my modern iron with an antique heavy iron.
I immediately went to Ebay, found a reputable seller and purchased this iron.
Almost a week later, I went back to Ebay and placed a bid on the above sadiron. It weighs 20 pounds and was made in the 1800s. Yesterday, I was thrilled when I received the notification that I’d won! I should be receiving both later this week. With the sadiron, I’ll be using a new technique (to me) on some of my garment construction. Immediately after using a my dry press iron, I’ll follow with the sadiron.
I first heard about sadirons when I read Laura Ingalls Wilder books, Little House on the Prairie. I was seven and had been handsewing for one year.
“Then Ma took the sadiron out of the wagon and heated it up by the fire. She sprinkled a dress for Mary and a dress for Laura and a little dress for Baby Carrie, and her own sprigged calico. She spread a blanket and a sheet on the wagon seat, and she ironed the dresses.”
Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie
In the above video, Rory Duffy (bespoke tailor) talks about this technique shortly after the one minute mark. I’ve watched his The Making of a Coat video several times and I always seem to glean additional information. Take for example, using a paintbrush to apply water to the cloth. I’d been using a spray bottle. I’ll definitely try the paint brush on some of the garments I’m making and see how it compares to what I’m already doing.