The Sewing Place

FREE skater dress pdf pattern

UttaRetch

FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« on: June 17, 2020, 16:04:48 PM »


Download from here.   There is also a gallery to view, too.

SewAnwen

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2020, 11:08:54 AM »
What a lovely dress!
Thanks

Syrinx

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2020, 14:29:40 PM »
Oh wow! I love that. Now the question is - can I do it without an overlocker?

UttaRetch

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2020, 14:40:11 PM »
You don't need an overlocker to sew knits.

Syrinx

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2020, 14:45:12 PM »
Knits are terrifying

UttaRetch

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2020, 15:09:03 PM »
Loads of suggestions on how to sew knits without an overlocker here.  I'm a refusenik where overlockers are concerned.  I had one, but got rid sharpish.

Catllar

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2020, 21:21:19 PM »
Each to their own @UttaRetch . What put you off?  I couldn't be without mine, so that's why I have two!.

 @Syrinx if you are new to knits consider a lightweight ponte or scuba, they play nicely.
If life gives you lemons, add to gin and tonic !

UttaRetch

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2020, 21:53:11 PM »
The first hurdle was that I struggled to lace the beast up and, in fact, my course tutor had to do it for me.  I also found it difficult to use and had no idea how I was supposed to deal with curves.  In the end, I just wasn't convinced that it was a NECESSARY tool.  I do a lot of Hong Kong seams and have used the overlock foot which came with the machine.

BrendaP

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2020, 23:43:59 PM »
Good luck doing Hong Kong finishes on very stretchy fabric.
I'd choose an overlocke any day.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

Sewgorgeous

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2020, 00:12:19 AM »
The first hurdle was that I struggled to lace the beast up and, in fact, my course tutor had to do it for me.  I also found it difficult to use and had no idea how I was supposed to deal with curves.  In the end, I just wasn't convinced that it was a NECESSARY tool.  I do a lot of Hong Kong seams and have used the overlock foot which came with the machine.
Thats a shame you didn't get on with it and found it hard to thread  maybe it was the machine you bought wasn't to good.  The babylock machines have jet air threading which are so easy to thread (although they are more expensive than some others)  I love my overlocker and couldn't be without it, so quick and neat to do jersey knits and finish seams.

UttaRetch

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2020, 08:19:34 AM »
Good luck doing Hong Kong finishes on very stretchy fabric.
Stretch bias binding.

BrendaP

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2020, 10:14:12 AM »
Does it stretch 50%+  ?
3% elastane suggests 10%-20% stretch at most, plus the mechanical stretch that all bias strips have.
Brenda.  My machines are: Corona, a 1953 Singer 201K-3, Caroline, a 1940 Singer 201K-3, Thirza, 1949 Singer 221K, Azilia, 1957 Singer 201K-MK2 and Vera, a Husqvarna 350 SewEasy about 20 years old. Also Bernina 1150 overlocker and Elna 444 Coverstitcher.
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.

UttaRetch

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2020, 12:55:00 PM »
I don't know because I don't sew knits, which is where I believe we started this exchange.

Bodgeitandscarper

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2020, 13:17:51 PM »
I don't know because I don't sew knits, ...

I sew knits nearly all the time - I wouldn't be without my overlocker.  I can (almost) thread it with my eyes shut  0_0

Acorn

Re: FREE skater dress pdf pattern
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2020, 14:05:58 PM »
The threading was the main reason I was so anti overlockers for so long.  I actually almost never have to rethread the loopers - I tie the new thread on and run it through them - and threading the needles is very straighforward (much more so than any sewing machine I have ever come across). 

However, I did have to rethread the loopers the other day and I didn't even need to refer to the manual.  Mine is very definitely not an expensive one!  I suspect they have improved a lot in terms of colour coding and making things clear in the last few years.
I might look as though I'm talking to you, but inside my head I'm sewing.