Day 2 is up and ready! Today we’ll be knocking out the optional bodice ruffle, and our front bodice pieces. If you’re not doing the bodice ruffle, you can skip over that part.

Day 2:

First up today is sewing two rows of gathering stitches along the straight edge of each ruffle piece; you’ll put the rows of basting stitches at 1/4″ and 5/8″ away from the straight raw edge. Once you’ve sewn the two rows, pin or clip the ruffle to the bottom edge of the main bodice piece (with right sides together). The straight raw edge should be pinned to the raw bottom edge. Be sure to place the curved edge of the ruffle piece 1/2″ away from the front edge of the bodice piece. Match the opposite edge of the ruffle with the bodice side seam. Finally, gather the ruffle to fit!

NOTE: It will be difficult to gather if you use clips instead of pins. I used a clip on one end, and a pin on the other end so that I was able the gently pull on the threads to gather.

I went ahead and attached the ruffle using a narrow zig zag stitch (.5 W, 2 L) because I didn’t want it to shift on me. You could also just baste in place.

Next, baste your bodice main and bodice lining pieces together along the bottom edge, with right sides together. In the video, I’m using the lemons as my main fabric and the floral to indicate my lining.

After basting, place elastic 1/2″ away from the center of bodice, on the WRONG side of the MAIN bodice, and pin in place. You will need to stretch slightly to fit. Attach elastic with 1/4″ seam allowance.

NOTE: You can use a zig zag stitch, stretch stitch, or your serger. If you use a serger, do not cut any elastic off. If you use a sewing machine, make sure that your zig zag stitches do not go across the entire width of the elastic. I used a zig zag stitch (3.5 W, 3 L) to attach mine.

OPTIONAL: Understitch your elastic on the lining side, OR top stitch your bodice piece.

Our last step of the day is to baste all open edges shut.

Don’t forget:

• Make sure you are taking an accurate and consistent seam allowance; seam allowance is already included on all pattern pieces. It *does* vary throughout this pattern
• Remove gathering stitches/basting stitches EXCEPT for around the raw bodice edges
• For reference, I’m sewing a youth version with optional flutters and a solid back. In the videos this week, the lemon fabric will be my main fabric, and the floral fabric will be my lining.

Want to sew along with me? Check out today’s video!

If you have questions about the optional flutter or constructing the front bodice, you are always welcome to post in our SAL group so we can help you! Be sure to check in each day during the SAL, and look for daily posts to enter our giveaways. We can’t wait to see what you create this week!

 

DAY 1: CUTTING + PREP

DAY 2: OPTIONAL FLUTTERS + FRONT BODICE

DAY 3: BOTTOMS

DAY 4: CROTCH SEAM + STRAPS

 DAY 5: NECKLINE + FRONT BODICE CASING

 DAY 6: LEG ELASTIC