We are almost finished!  Today we are finishing up the skirt and attaching the bodice to the skirt.  Then at last… sewing on those buttons!!

Hemming
You may have already hemmed if you are following along with the tutorial.  You can choose to hem in the round if you want.  Serge along the bottom edge.  DO NOT CUT ANY OFF.  Use a hem gauge to press 1/2″ toward the wrong side of fabric.

No serger?  No problem!  Press 1/4″ and then press another 1/4″, enclosing raw edge.  Edge stitch.

Follow tutorial for instructions on gathering your skirt.  Make sure it is the same width as your bodice.

Attach bodice and skirt, per tutorial.  Topstitch your bodice, catching seam under.

BUTTONS
You can either slip this on your model to mark button placement or lay it flat.  My daughter hates fittings, so to save myself a tantrum and some frustration, I just laid my jumper flat with the straps pointing up.

If you switched the strap placement, your back bodice will be facing up at this point.

Fold the straps over so the wrong side of strap is on the right side of bodice.  This applies to the front OR back button closure options… whichever you decided :).  Make sure your straps are lined up nice and straight.  The buttonholes should be centered vertically on your bodice.

**If you enclosed your straps in the front bodice, your straps will be more angled.** (see floral pics below)

Mark a dot at the center opening of your button holes.

Grab your buttons and begin stitching.  You can use your machine or hand stitch.   These wooden buttons are from Bethany Lane, one of our wonderful prize sponsors! 🙂

All finished. YAY!! You’ve completed the Katelyn Jumper sew-a-long!  Snap some pics of your finished jumper, modeled or not, and share them in the “Yearbook Album” on the Made for Mermaids Patterns Group page or Instagram #katelynsal #m4msal #katelynjumper!  Anyone in the facebook group can vote for/”Like” their favorite Katelyn.  You can “like” more than one finished dress.

**EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT***
Raise your hand if you are an over-achiever!! We have a little extra credit assignment if you want to really impress the teachers. 😉 Remember, the “Teacher’s Pet” award is selected by the M4M Team aka #teammegan.  Sew up a Rose Ruffle Top and/or Olivia Bloomers & Pantaloons to go with your Katelyn Jumper.  They are both quick and easy patterns to whip up.  Tomorrow, Day 6 is a catch-up day or a chance for you to score some extra credit! 😉

If you are finished with your jumper, and not doing the extra credit, on behalf of #teammegan, I want to thank you for sewing along with us!  We hope you had fun and got some back-to-school sewing accomplished in time for the new school year!  Don’t forget to share.. we love to see what’ you’ve created with your Made for Mermaids patterns! xoxo