Hi I’m Vanessa and I love sewing! You may recognize me from E&M pattern releases and reels. I have been sewing clothes for over 7 years. I sew for my family and friends. I also enjoy making a me-made-wardrobe and thrifting what I can’t sew. Sewing has helped me keep costs down as my kids have grown. Plus, it has also kept me clothed as my body changes from fighting an autoimmune disease. My favorite part of sewing is being comfortable in my clothes and body.
A couple of weeks ago I decided to hack “The Be Dreamy” with the “Felicity Fitted Puff and Bishop Sleeve Top”. You can watch the YouTube hack here on my channel. https://youtu.be/eDf6Eygq6o4?si=r1s2kgrlARxk8nVW It’s currently cold where I live and flouncy sleeves will not keep me warm.
The full gathers on the Felicity sleeves made The Be Dreamy exactly what I was looking for. That was until my daughter confessed her love for the flowy dress, and her closet is where it disappeared to. So back to the sewing room to make me another. This time I decided to go with a plainer fabric and add a fun detail. Let me walk you through how to do a gather loop and button detail.
What you will need:
-
Measuring tape
-
Marking chalk or fabric pen
-
¼ inch elastic
-
Knit interfacing
-
Iron
Let’s get started
Start by making the bodice of The Be Dreamy with or without the Felicity sleeves. Also, make the skirt and set aside.
Measure bodice at the center.
I measured 7 inches.
Cut ¼ inch elastic about 60% shorter than the center measurement.
You’ll want a good gather, because when you stretch and sew the elastic, it will grow in length.
I first stretched my elastic and then cut it at 4 inches.
Mark the center with chalk at the top and bottom of your turned out bodice.
Pin elastic to both markings.
Use a long zig zag stitch. (I used 5mm length). Stretch elastic as you sew.When you finish sewing, your stitches will become closer. If you don’t lengthen the stitch it will cause rippling.
Measure how long your gathered front bodice is now.
Mine was 4 ¾ inch.
Double the length of your bodice with the elastic.
(4 ¾ x 2 = 9 ½ inches) This will be the length of the loop.
I wanted mine to be 1 inch wide. I double the width and added a 1/4 seam allowance.
(1 x 2 = 2 + ½ = 2 ½) This is the width of the loop.
My loop is 2 ½ wide by 9 ½ long.
Now lay interfacing on the inside of your fabric.
Cut the loop and interfacing out together.
Iron on the interfacing.
Sew with right sides together down the length.
Sew one end with seam in the center.
Iron the loop again.
Top stitch from one side down the bottom and back up the opposite side.
Baste the bottom raw edge of the loop to the center bottom of the bodice on the inside
The center of the loop will be facing the elastic on the inside of the bodice
Now attach the skirt like normal, keeping the loop on the inside of the dress.
Pull the loop from the back to the front
Pick a button. Then sew the button and loop down on the bottom front of the bodice.
I hid the threads from the button under the inside loop.
All done!!!
As you can see, I hemmed my Be Dreamy to tea length. This dress is so comfortable! I love how the loop covers the inside elastic, and makes everything look nicely finished. This hack would look adorable on the bottom of a maxi or on sleeve cuffs! Have fun adding this fun detail to your next sew!
(Written by: Vanessa Carter)
