So close... and yet so far away...This is what I have so far, but I made a big boo-boo.
I don't know what's gotten into me lately, but I've been making some really stupid mistakes. This one takes the cake, though... 
I have a perfect skirt front... and a really fugly skirt back!
Here's what I'm thinking I'll try...
But, it will be noticeable anyway because the color gradient change is missing.
It's started when I traced off the dress pattern for Miss Princess's Daddy-Daughter Dance Dress, and missed the "Cut 4" on the side back/side front skirt pieces. I counted up my pieces and had the 7 I needed, laid them out (placing all the skirt pieces on the fabric border where the color changes from powder blue to navy blue. Since I missed the "Cut 4" fact and was ignoring the pattern cutting layout (again, because of the border), I assumed it was "Cut 2" and now I am short 2 pieces of skirt back. Stupid, stupid, stupid (said while slapping myself in the head...)
I have a perfect skirt front... and a really fugly skirt back!
Here's what I have to work with...
- Enough "regular" (non-border) fabric to cut the 2 needed pieces
- 2 scraps of border long enough to cover the hem of the 2 pieces (good thing I save every scrap until the project is finished!) with only about 1/8 - 1/4 inch edge above the border
Here's what I'm thinking I'll try...I have some fusible web. By fusing the scrap border pieces (and I little beyond the top edge), I will prevent fraying and enable myself to stick the border to the skirt piece. Then, I will stitch ever so slowly and ever so carefully along the top edge of the border to sincerely attach the border to the skirt hem. I will then use my applique scissors and trim away the rough edge above the stitching line. See the row of "dolphin/paisley" creatures? That's what I want to keep and stitch around!
I'm afraid that a normal seam will be too bulky/visible, but maybe I'm wrong.
But, it will be noticeable anyway because the color gradient change is missing. The center back skirt pieces were cut correctly, so I have 3/4 of a perfect skirt (Scroll up to see skirt back pieces laid out together).
Any ideas out there???? The good thing is I have a million papers to grade today, so I can't touch it. Only think about it. Maybe that's not a good thing...
5 comments:
Get out the fray check immediately and fray check those edges above the border. You do not want to lose any more fabric due to fraying. Once that is done, you'll be able to stitch the pieces together with a narrow seam and then cut the side backs from the resulting pieces. Lucky you, that you saved the scraps. I usually save everything until the project is done. I never know when I'll need them.
Yup, fraycheck those babies right now. I think that kind of fabric frays even when it's sitting still. It's so frustrating when things like that happen. I do that sort of thing all the time. Arrrgggghhhh!
This is just a thought, but what if you cut - ouch- the border from all the pieces and reattach them all the same way. That way it will look like it's supposed to be that way. In other words. Cut off the border. Sew all the borders to each other. Sew all the skirt pieces to each other and then reattach the entire border all the way around. This will make the dress slightly shorter, but it will be the same all the way around. Does this make sense? I would definitely fray check the edges. This is beautiful fabric and will be so pretty for a daddy/daughter dance.
I think the blue or gold crinoline peeking out would be great and would take care of the shorter length too. I just went back and caught up on your other posts. Your daughter is adorable. Such a smile.
I'm with Julia on this one. I think all the borders need to be treated equally. Do the panels all gradate the colors the same?
Make sure you use Heat and Bond Light so you don't get a heavy stiff effect to the hem. I just know you will fix this and it will become a design opportunity, not a dilemma. Keep us posted.
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