The Sewing Place
The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Patterns Discussion => Topic started by: sewingj on April 01, 2018, 16:50:13 PM
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I`m currently making KwikSew 3644
https://www.sewessential.co.uk/misses-robes-kwik-sew-sewing-pattern-3644
I`m making View B without the contrast or the piping as I just wanted something cheap and cheerful for the summer. I thought it was going to be dead easy - but it isn`t. And the main reason is that it only has 1/4 inch seam allowances which is making everything - even just assembling the pockets - very fiddly. Fortunately I`m making it out of a stable poly-cotton - if I was using something that frayed easily I would be screaming by now.
Yes, I know I could have increased the allowances but I wasn`t on the ball enough to do that when I was cutting it out. I will definitely do that if I ever make a posher version
The end is in sight, thank goodness
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I would find 1/4" seam allowances extremely annoying too. Looking forward to seeing how it all turns out.
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I sympathise! About two years ago I made about three pairs of Kwik Sew pyjamas and nightshirts as my night wear was not fit for dusters. Although the patterns worked out well, that pesky 1/4" seam allowance has been disastrous - I assume I wriggle around a lot at night and most of the seams have disintegrated :angry:
Have made notes on the pattern covers and next time I will add to the seam allowances for extra security. In the meantime I'm wearing glamorous holey nightwear :)
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Do KwikSew do it for all nightwear?
I appreciate things like dressing gowns don`t need wide seam allowances to get the fit right, but you still need enough to be able to work with. And pajamas definitely need to be able to withstand a bit of tossing and turning at night!
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the seam allowances might be geared up for those with overlockers. No need to give a full 5/8" if all you're going to do is trim it off. :\ :S :'(
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@Lyn-J: sounds as if you have had a disastrous encounter with an overlocker.
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KwikSew are primarily meant for construction on an overlocker, so yes that would be why it has the 1/4in seam allowance. I am glad I saw this topic. My xmas gift for the ladies I work with, along with my sister, daughter and niece, will be a soft floaty cotton summer dressing gown, and I have a vintage KwikSew pattern for the job. I must remember to add seam allowance.
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Here`s the finished article. It is fine for what I wanted and the fabric was only £2.99/m from Minerva. I might make a posher version one day but have made a very large note to increase the seam allowances. Also, the belt carriers are just sewn on - I did intend to insert them into the seam but then forgot and couldn`t face unpicking the seam again!
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
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Very pretty! So light and cool-looking for the summer.
Sadly, the way the weather is here, I'll be using my big, fleecy dressing gown for the foreseeable future :(
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Ooh @sewingj that's lovely! Pretty fabric and bargainous too :)
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That's really lovely, very professional!
It's not homemade, but I love my summer dressing gown..I wear it all year round. Maybe when I'm a bit more confident I'll have a crack at one of these too
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Ooh @sewingj that's lovely! Pretty print too. Looks nice and cool. @Lulu I wear my summer dressing gown all year too, am at that stage of life where I'm permanently roasting. I think it would be a good next project for you, not much in the way of fitting. The only problem I found with dressing gowns is fighting with the amount of fabric you have to manoeuvre through the sewing machine bed (lightweight fabrics are fine; I tried with thick terry towelling and almost threw it out of the window).
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Nice gown! Just right for summer. Good job you weren’t working with satin, those teeny seam allowances would have frayed to a fringe as soon as you picked the pieces up from the cutting table.
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That’s lovely... it’s just what I need, currently I’m wearing my winter woolly one all year round.
I’ve just bought the pattern!
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I think it would be a good next project for you, not much in the way of fitting.
Thanks @Nevis5 it's a great idea. I have a few little people things in mind to make first, but maybe for a not too distant future project!
@sewingj I hope you don't mind me asking.. how much did the fabric cost you for this? I'm still getting used to the cost of materials!
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@Lulu I don`t mind you asking at all! I used polycotton from Minerva Crafts
https://www.minervacrafts.com/shop/fabric/dress-fabrics&type=Polycotton
For something like this I prefer polycotton as it doesn`t crease as much as 100% cotton. It cost £2.99 per metre and I made size M which took 4 metres - plus it needs a sizeable bit of fusible interfacing for the collar and down the front edge (the pattern says 1.6metres but you can patch fusible interfacing it you don`t have a piece large enough to do it in one go)
If you do make it please note my comments about the tiny seam allowance on the pattern - just add 3/8 to everything and sew a standard 5/8 seam and you should be fine
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@Lulu For practice pieces, duvet covers from charity shops can provide a lot of fabric for not a lot of cash. I'm sure you'd be able to find a polycotton one that would be suitable for a summer dressing gown.