Spring's First Blush - Part VIII

Quilting and Panel Finishing

Once I'm finished quilting each skirt panel - this should go more quickly with the increase of time in my day, due to the school year being finished last week - I'm finishing each once as it is done.  This gives me a break from the quilting and once I get a couple of adjacent panels finished, I can start the assembly process.

The skirt side front and side back seams will be beaded strap seams, so each panel need the seam allowances or edges prepared.  If the seam allowance is for a side seam, then the seam is bound with bias binding. 


If the seam allowance is for a strap seam, the seam is still finished with bias binding, but in a different way.  1 1/2" wide bias strips are stitched right sides together with the skirt panel, the seam allowances are trimmed with pinking shears and then the bias strip is turned to the wrong side and catch stitched in place.  This finishes the edge, preparing it for the beading that will be done later.  Bias strips are important, as a straight of grain strip will not be able to mold around curves with a little steam from the iron like a bias one will. 

In the photo below, you can see the strap seam side is ready for the catch stitching, and I've got the bias binding cut, folded and ready for the side seam allowance.

You can see the pinked seam allowances through the batiste in the photo below. 

I've chosen batiste for all the bindings because the amount of silk I have left is extremely small.  There was just enough to cut all the skirt sections, leaving me with very little.  In fact, I have just enough for bias strips for under the straps seams (these will have to be pieced to get enough length), a backing for the blouse yoke and hopefully enough for a bias waistband finish (which will also have to be pieced).  I have very small scraps, so the batiste is a nice lightweight answer to this little fabric shortage.  I can't get any more silk, either as it was given to me by a friend, and there was maybe a little more than a yard to start with.  If I make a mistake, there's no going back, the whole project will need to be scrapped or reworked. 

I'll be continuing work on this project, and meanwhile be working on the white jeans.  Once the jeans are done, I'll be working on the vintage shirt of the month.  Along with those things, I've got a major wedding gown rework for a client.  Looks like June will be a fun month!

Parting Shots:  Good Progress.  I'm making some good progress on my cardigan - I'm hoping to get it to the point of the underarms of the back in the next few days.  The yarn is knitting up nicely and the cables look good.