Fine Heirloom Sewing, Smocking and Hand Embroidery

"Baby will be well and smiling in little garments made by Mother, Auntie, Grannie and loving friends!"

Please join me as I teach the old fashioned techniques and skills needed to sew baby clothes. You will find lessons that start at the very beginning and take you step by step as we sew little baby clothes together. May you find much joy and pleasure in making them.
It's easy and it's fun!!

Visit My Heirloom Sewing Webshop www.oldfashionedbaby.com




Friday, November 13

Lesson 8: Finishing Priscilla Daygown/Hem and Buttons

Time to Finish this Daygown!! All that is left to complete the Priscilla Daygown is the hem and buttons.  Follow the directions for View 2,  Step 5  for Finishing.
Sew on the Buttons
Sew the top button on first.
 The buttons must be lined up exactly with the button holes.  To help me to do this, I sew on the first button, then stretch the front facings out flat and mark the remaining button holes.
I am using a fine line, wash out fabric marker.
Line up the buttonhole accurately and mark in the center. Notice I have sewn the button on using the same red thread used in the embroidery design.
Hem

Turn up the raw edge of hem 1/8" and straight stitch (L3.0 or 3.5)along the fold. 
For the Hem, first turn up the raw edge of the hem and stitch.  This will be used to pull up the fullness in the hem so it will lie flat.




Turn the hem up 3".
Pin at the center back, the side seams and both sides of the front.
 Make sure the two sides of the front are even. 


Pull up the gathering thread and pin the hem in place.


Stitch the hem in place by hand, using the running stitch, removing pins as you stitch.

When complete, soak the daygown in COLD water - no soap!
The blue Wash out fabric markers have a chemical in them that is not removed just by wetting the fabric. The blue line might go away (it often returns when you press) but the chemical is still in your fabric.  Do not use anything but cold water, and not soap to soak them out.  Then you can wash as you please.


For embellishment, I have used designs from Jeannie B's Embroidery Book. 
I have taken a design from page 22 to embroider between the top 2 buttons. Instead of a Rose, I embroidered French Knot,  Red Berries.  I used two strands of floss and wrapped twice. Suitable embroidery designs are included in the pattern also.  I used the Holly and Berry's on page 29 for each side of the lower hem.  The Holly is Shadow Embroidered but would look cute as the Outline, Chain or Back Stitch!

We Are All Done!

10 comments:

LouLou said...

Yes. I'm going to try the raglan gown, step by step as you have it on the blog.

Jeannie B. said...

Louisa, I am so pleased, I hope you send me a picture.

Unknown said...

Hello Jeannie. I thoroughly enjoyed the step by step tutorial. Please continue, it provides inspiration and clarification. I'm actually finishing your smocked daygown pattern in a white imperial broadcloth, red microcheck binding, and Christmas trees.
I've been sewing and smocking baby clothes for 10 years, since my daughter was born. You can see my work on facebook.com/elroperodedaniela
I would like a mini-tutorial of the running stitch used at the hem. Also, I always wondered what is the most professional way to finish a neck binding.

saludos,

Lynette
Puerto Rico

Amy Bailes said...

Please don't stop with the lessons! While I didn't make this particular daygown, I have enjoyed reading each post and have learned from them.

Can't wait to see what you start next.

Jeannie B. said...

Look for a more detailed lesson on the Running Stitch to be posted tomorrow! I make my neck bindings like I have in the Priscilla lessons. Thank you all for commenting.

Hallie said...

Thank you for the lessons! You attach the bias binding differently than I have done it before, which was interesting, and I especially appreciated the running stitch tutorial. I struggle a little with deciding how I'm going to hem things, and it didn't occur to me to use a running stitch as you showed. I loved getting to see that. I would appreciate reading about any more hints you have about hemming! By the way I have finished both a daydress and christening gown from your T-yoke pattern! I loved doing them both so much. I have a few other projects lined up, but I am looking forward to deciding on my next OFB pattern to make! This blog really helps someone like me, who is largely self-taught. I didn't know I should soak the whole garment instead of just wetting (and rewetting several more times) the blue marker marks to get them out, for instance. Anyway, thank you thank you for your time to write it! Hallie

Dave and Kay said...

Your lessons are wonderful.....very clear and so inspiring. I am new to this whole field and find your work so exciting. All your details make such a difference. Thank you.

Wildrose said...

What a delight to find your blog! I have been sewing for over 70 years & still discovered lots of tips & tricks that are new to me. They will come in handy in making all of the wee care gowns I've been making for stillborn babies lately. Please keep sharing. Some ideas for necklines other than the bias binding for tiny, tiny gowns would be wonderful. Carol

Lauren said...

I'm so glad I came across your blog, your lesson series are a much faster alternative to the basic classes offered at local shops! I started sewing when my daughter was born two years ago and I still love the classic heirloom styles the most. I look forward to learning more!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for your lesson! I have wanted to try my hand at christening gowns for awhile but have been intimidated. Thanks to your lesson, I am not afraid to try now. I look forward to more!

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