New Look 6506 - Construction Details

 

 

 

 

I don't know if you call this fabric twill or tweed. It's been so long since I purchased it. I bought it at JoAnn's several years ago around the time I bought the pattern, in 2005. The fabric must be handled very, very gently. It literally unravels while you are handling it. Because of the unraveling problems, I had to enclose every edge and seam completely. I used the Hong Kong finish, which is basically enclosing them with bias tape (seam binding). You can see that I placed it even around the arm hole edges. I then sewed hem tape to the inside hem edge. I placed ribbon for trim around the outside edges of the jacket, cuffs, faux pockets, and front waist on skirt. I lined the inside of the jacket with a comfortable and breathable cotton. I then fringed around the edges of the jacket, cuffs and bottom of skirt. I first sewed a seam where I did not want the fringe to go beyond, then I would do a little scissor clip and use a needle to pull the little threads out that I wanted to fringe. It took a lot of time, but it was fun seeing the fringe appear.

I took a lot of extra time with this outfit to make sure that it was quality and would not fall apart, but I enjoyed the process. There's nothing like shaping and molding a piece of fabric into something beautiful. It's an art form akin to painting and sculpturing. I feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment when I behold the final product of my work. I used to work as a court stenographer, and I would get the same sort of feeling when I would complete the transcript for a deposition or trial knowing that I had poured myself into it and really tried to do a quality job.

I do not view myself as an accomplished seamstress by any means. I feel I have so much to learn. I actually just learned to sew in the last few years, approximately four or five years ago. My gift to myself was to take private lessons. I would go to class four hours, once a week for around a year. Then I spent another five or six months going two hours once a week. I am still learning and I learn so much by visiting other sewer's blogs. I want to thank each of who has a sewing blog and shares your sewing tips and tutorials with the rest of us. It is such a help. I want to help others as well and pass on whatever knowledge I have picked up. That is why you find many sewing tips and articles on my blog.

I hope you are enjoying my blog. I enjoy reading your comments and receiving feedback. Thank you for taking the time to let me know what you think. It means a lot.