Hopefully this will be the last part before the finishing post. Taking your generous advice, I went with option 3. After thinking about it, the gathers with the gathered fabric would have looked frumpy for sure. I think the nice, straight cotton is perfect. Plus, once I cut it out, the landscape of flowers was just too perfect.
Oh and yes, haha, I’m not surprised if you have some pillowcases like this in your linen closet. This is part of a sheet set I aquired from a thrift store back in DeKalb. I actually used the same fabric on this apron (love it!). And this is the last flat sheet of the set.
I cut out all the pieces and realized I was faced with another dilemma, hidden side seam pockets, or ones in the front.
After puzzling about it for awhile, I decided on both and snipped out the rest of the pattern piece. I’m hoping that once the July CLM is finished, I’ll have time to finish the dress for my road trip on Saturday. Some friends and I are going to Des Moines to Market Day, the Court Street Farmer’s Market, and the Des Moines Art Festival. It will be quite the little adventure.
I do have one problem. The linen, after dyeing and washing, is a wrinkled mess. I tried ironing quite a lot and it still won’t flatten out. After doing a bit of looking around, it’s supposed to come right out if it’s fully damp first. I’ll give it a try and report back. Here is a nice write up on linen care.
I’m really enjoying this clothing sewing kick. Granted I’m not as prolific as some, but I’m pretty happy with the new garment a month pace I’m setting. Have you made any new summer pieces yet this year? Can I see? Send me links in the comments. What’s your latest favorite pattern?
Happy sewing!
Kristin
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Just so you don’t sound like an out-of-towner, it’s the Court Avenue Farmer’s Market. :)
Haha, I am an out of towner! I've never been to the farmer's market in des moines. I couldn't remember if it was street or avenue, picked the wrong one, haha.
Do you have a steamer or access to one? Even the less expensive ones work wonders on wrinkled fabric, and it's hella cheaper than dry cleaning!
By the by, currently working on a vintage Simplicity pattern for husband. https://www.etsy.com/listing/37872150/vintage-19… View 3, the shawl collar short robe in mint green, baby blue and white striped seersucker.
Got my pattern from the swap table of the local American Sewing Guild chapter.
Last night, I finished some pj bottoms traced off from his current pj bottoms. In the same fabric, it's a set, first of at least two seersucker pj sets I will make for him this summer.
Next time it may be a shorty robe as I buy stash fabric at five yard cuts and had a tricky time getting everything laid out properly.
For your wrinkled linen, I learned of a great spray starch called Mary Ellen's Best Press. I've used it on linen clothes with success, but I'm not sure if it would totally press out your fabric. Maybe you could go to a quilting shop (I purchased mine at My Sewing Room, a large quilting store here in Calgary) and ask to try it with their demo product. Spray one side of the fabric until it is pretty wet and then press on the other side. It gives quilting cottons a nice firm feel that is especially helpful when sewing pieces on the bias, and doesn't leave a flakey residue that regular spray starches produce.
Also, I would not recommend making the side seam pockets. Unless the garment is a flared design, side seam pockets just add bulk in an area that most women don't like to add width to!!
I really love the pattern used – very spring like! It just brightens up your day!
I really love the pattern used – very spring like! It just brightens up your day!