It’s Time To Get Cupids Attention!
If music be the food of love, then taking part in this Valentine special sew-along and creating the See and Sew B5546 dress, will certainly hit all the right chords.
So ladies, let’s get that sewing machine on standby!
As always, before we start any sew-along, I want to check we have all the right tools and equipment to enable us to complete the See and Sew B5546 dress sewing project in an easy, timely manner.
Simply visit ‘A Checklist for the See and Sew B5546 dress‘ and I’ll see you when you get back.
Okay! Ready? Then let’s begin.
As always, during a Fashion Sewing Blog sew-along, we will start with a slideshow which highlights key steps in the construction process.
Following on from the slideshow will be written, detailed steps explaining more about how I made the dress, followed by tutorial video’s, filmed expressly for this sew-along.
So without further hesitation -
The See and Sew B5546 Dress Sew-Along
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NB – Click on each photo to enlarge it and take a better look.
How I Made The See And Sew B5546 Dress
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Before I began this sewing project, I first made sure that I had a ball point needle set in my sewing machine along with all-purpose polyester thread, including a full bobbin. The stitch length, width and tension was also set and tested on scrap pieces of fabric.
1 – The Tucks – Tucks are a stitched fold of fabric, used to hold fullness in place. Sew the tucks (see the tutorial video below) and then sew the shoulder seam. Once complete, press open.
2 – Side Seam – Sew one side seam from armhole to waistline, matching up pattern markings. Leave an opening on the other for ties to be pulled through later. Press the seam open.
3 – Sleeve – Neaten the curved outer edge.
4 – Sleeve – If you’re completing the set-in sleeve, click ‘here‘ for a quick tutorial. The short sleeve just needs to be placed into position, matching up markings. Once complete, sew into place.
5 – Pleats – Pleats are used to reduce fullness in fabric as well as a design feature, created by folding fabric in on itself. This sew-along requires completion of pleats (see the tutorial video below).
6 – Ties – Complete the tie by pinning, basting and machine sewing, pulling it through to the right side.
7 – Join – Sew the bodice (upper section) to the skirt (lower section).
8 – The Waistline – The slide above demonstrates how the right side should now look, after both sections have been sewn together.
9 – Bias Binding – Using bias binding, sew it all the way around the front edge of the dress. This encloses the raw edge.
10 – Hemline – Sew a narrow hemline and you’re done. Click ‘here‘ for a demonstration.
So how’s it going so far?
You’ll now find two tutorial video’s which I filmed during the making of the See and Sew B5546 dress in which I demonstrate how to sew tucks and pleats.
Find many more online demonstrations ONLY at FashionSewingBlogTV.
I hope you find them of use during this sew-along.
How To Sew Tucks
How To Sew Pleats
So please take your time completing this Valentine sew-along. After all, you want the dress to look its best for that special dinner.
I’d love to see how yours turned out! Don’t forget to upload your photo’s to my Sewingista Gallery to share with the sewing community.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me regarding this or any other fashion sewing related matter if you have any questions.
Happy fashion sewing
Colleen G Lea
Hi Colleen,
Me again!
I am really confused as to what size pattern to use and whether I need to adjust it! My measurements and the corresponding size from the chart are:
Bust: 97cm (16w)
Waist: 89cm (20w)
Hip: 107cm (18w)
Back waist length: 41cm (14w and 16w)
(can’t believe I just put that on a public blog!)
What on earth size do I cut out – I am a scattergun of sizes!? Do I cut a differentbsize out of different pieces? Or do I adjust on the lines, and if so how do I know how much?
Would really appreciate any help you can offer,
Thanks
Hannah
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for the question.
As a guide line, always choose to make your project a bigger size as it can be reduced to fit. Cutting different pieces to different sizes is certainly an option but it all depends on what type of garment your making, for example a sleeveless dress may only need one overall adjusment where as a fitted garment, such as a jacket, may need several alterations to more than one piece. Make a toile / muslin as well as tissue fitting prior to using any fabric. This will highlight areas that need special attention.
If you are making the B5546 dress, there will be minimum alterations as its a wrap over dress, so fabric can be hidden and the fabric stretches.
Hope that helps and please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need any more advice.
Hi, thanks Colleen, yes I am making the b5546, my first clothes sewing project – should I make it an 18 then as that seems to be kind of in the middleof the range? I read elsewhere that you should make it your bust size (16 in this case) as this is the most important area for ‘fit’?
i really appreciate your help
Hannah
Hi Hannah
I’d recommend you sew a toile / muslin for the boddice (in particular the bust area) as it is quite a low neckline. With this particular dress, I’d say to make it around your bust. Good luck making the dress and please upload a photo or two to my Sewingista Gallery (no matter how it turns out). I look forward to seeing it.