We are onto Lesson 10 and coming into the homestretch of finishing our dresses! You can find all the previous lessons here and purchase the July Flowers pattern here. The video as well as a short explanation are below, so let's sew!
Prep the Bodice.
Pin the lining of the bodice up out of the way. Fold the raw side seam allowance to the wrong side and apply a drop of basting glue or stitch in place with a few basting stitches.
Pin the Skirt to the Bodice and Stitch Together.
With wrong sides together, pin the bodice to the skirt. Begin by matching the side seams and center front. Using the bobbin basting stitches, pull up the gathers of the skirt front to match the bodice front. Adjust the gathers to equally distribute the fullness. Line the folded edge of the bodice back with the finished edge of the placket and pull up the basting threads on the skirt back to match the bodice back. Repeat on the other side. Stitch the bodice to the skirt with the bodice on top and follow the previous line of stitching (the line formed by stitching the piping to the bodice). If you smocked the skirt, stitch with the skirt on top and follow the line of stitching from attaching the piping to the skirt. If you didn't pipe the waist, use a 1/2" seam allowance and stitch the bodice and skirt together with the skirt on top. Double check that you are happy with your gathers and that everything looks good. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4". Serge or zig zag over the seam. Press the seam toward the bodice.
Attach the Lining.
On the inside, bring the lining down over the waist seam so that the folded edge of the lining just covers the line of stitching. Match the side seams as you are pinning the lining in place.
Using a slip stitch, regular sewing thread, and your sharps needle, hand stitch the lining to the skirt. I don't recommend trying to stitch in the ditch from the right side with the machine. Personally I have never had good results with that method and usually have to rip it all out when I try it!
Here is the finished inside - nice and smooth - it looks as good as the outside and has no lumps or bumps to cause irritation! Next up: buttons and button holes! Happy Sewing.