I had no great desire to sew this weekend...probably due to the fact that I've already made 5 garments this month...and my mind is already turning to vacation gear. So yesterday after doing some cleaning, I read a book and watched a movie. Something I haven't done in quite some time!
Today, I really wanted to make the repairs to the dress and the skirt since both of these were simple fixes. The first one was to this skirt that I made back in January 2009:
This skirt is made from a polyester brocade that I bought from Metro Textiles and it was worn one time because of the tearing at the darts:
I stuck it in the closet on a shelf to be repaired, but honestly didn't think about it again until last week. I was looking through the fabric closet for fabric to make a brocade skirt when I realized that I'd already made one. So I went looking for this one to fix.
As I stated earlier this was an easy fix. I cut slivers of fusible interfacing and pressed them onto the areas where the fabric was separating from the stitching.
This was done to strengthen & stabilize the fabric. Then I restitched the dart legs a smidge from the original dart legs and the repair was done. Here's a pic of the finished skirt hanging:
I will wear it differently than I did originally:
This time I'm adding a yellow cardigan and a beige colored turtleneck sweater. I like how the yellow cardigan emphasizes the yellow print.
I also fixed the black/grey plaid dress again using the fusible interfacing technique and sewing the side seam again. I think I strained the sides because I kept jamming my hands in the pockets and pulling. I will remember not to do this the next time I wear the dress. The good thing is that I've made so many of these that this dress will not get a lot of wear or stress to the seams.
It's good to know that I'm not the only one that experiences wearability issues. I truly try to insure that all seams are properly sewn and sewn twice in stress areas but you can't always guarantee how a fabric will react once it's being worn.
Well I'm off to read some more and think about the pieces I need to make to take with me to the DR...
...as always, more later!
That's a very pretty brocade, glad you were able to fix the skirt. And a trip to the DR sounds fantastic, looking forward to seeing the wardrobe you come up with for that.
ReplyDeleteBrocades are notorious for raveling. You did a great save here and I am sure there will be many more wearings before you retire this one. It is such a pretty skirt.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on the repairing of your garments. You will enjoy having these pieces back in your closet.
ReplyDeleteGreat saves. Love the skirt. The colors go so well with your skin tone.
ReplyDeleteSkirt brocade is lovely. Great colors too.
ReplyDeleteUmmmmm.... I LOVE this skirt. LUHV. Have any left of this material that you could send up my way?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that brocade. I'm so glad you were able to fix it. It looks fantastic on you.
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad to know of that fix. Wish I'd know it several years ago. I had a silk jacket that strained at the center back seam. This would have been the perfect fix.
ReplyDeleteYou always look so put together...I wouln't think a seam would dare to pull apart on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the seam repair instructions.
Thank you for sharing how to repair raveling seams. I learn something new every time I read your blog. I really enjoy your blog and all your creations
ReplyDeleteGood info. It's a beautiful brocade and good that you could save such a beautiful piece.
ReplyDeleteThat a smart fix. That is a really nice brocade and the colors are great; I can certainly see this with yellow. What a bright spot for this time of year!
ReplyDeleteAs Bunny said, brocades are notorious for raveling and pulling away from the stitching. I had a pair of rtw pants in a brocade a few years ago that did the same thing, and I fixed it the same way. It's a pretty skirt.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty fabric. What a stroke of inspiration to sew it into such a lovely skirt.
ReplyDeleteIf you were tring to look at my blog it was coming up under artandsew and it should have been patriciasfabricart!!
ReplyDelete