Ammas Birthday - Blouse

It is my Amma's Birthday today, somehow  managed to sew a blouse at the last minute. Hope she likes it.

Happy Birthday Dear Amma

Picture of Saree Blouse along with blouse

Blouses Blow Out!

Blouses for MIL which were pending for a long time (read about 3 months) due to various reasons like embroidery work unfinished, lining material to be purchased, designer busy (read ME!) etc., at last did manage to finish all 3 at one go.

But a rare thing happened, though all of them are from same self drafted pattern, each of them had different fits and a unique issue, like sleeve not fitting well, bust cap not fitting , it took me another sewing day to figure it out and get them ready to be worn, fit and fine. Now that's a mystery i am unable to unlock, in fact to worn out to do so, so left it at that, now that fitting issues got resolved my MIL is happy and so am I.

Cowl neck cutting and sewing tutorial WIP, so watch out for it tomorrow.

Bias Strip Preparation for Shaped facings

I had posted yesterday regarding usage of bias strips for sweetheart neckline, today i had used bias strips for another interesting neckline (instead of using self facing). Will show the pics regarding preparation of bias strip.
No big deal.

Cut bias strips from your chosen fabric. I have used 1x1 lining material which i had used to line the blouse which has an interesting neckline, shall share photos of completed project tomorrow. Now lets get on with bias strip preparation. The width of bias strip should be 3/8 inch more than desired finish width. (Why? Well we shall find out in just a moment!)

Join bias cut strips and once you have got the desired length. Now check the width below it is 1 2/8 inch

Press them with steam by slightly stretching the opposite end  with the other hand. (Don't be harsh, just gentle hold it slightly tight). Go from one end to other end.

At the end of it, the width of bias strip would be reduced a bit, (Hence keep this shrinkage in mind before cutting your bias strips). Now did you notice the width has reduced to 6/8 of an inch

Your bias strip is now ready to be used for any shape of neck facing.

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Sweetheart Neckline 4 Blouse Using Bias Strips

Now you may be wondering what is the big deal?

So far i have heard that sweetheart or any other sharp curve included shapes need self-shaped facing and wouldn't turn up nice when done using bias strips.

But i wanted to try if it would work by pinching the bias strip a bit at every sharp turn in the neckline. It turned out pretty well. Will get action shot when my MIL will wear it.

Bias strips were prepared for neckline usage, by ironing them under steam and stretching them just a little bit while doing so, Believe me the bias strips will shrink a bit and will be ready for usage for any shape of hem or neckline facing.

Try it out. Shall later update the post with pics of bias strips before ironing and after ironing.

Neckline on the outside, will get a better idea of the shape when worn, will post pic soon.

Notice the pinched bias strips....