Dta's Countdown Thread

[Deus te Amat]

Tell me about it.

And there are still so many books to reread!

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Deus_te_Amat' timestamp='1343439272' post='2459532']
Tell me about it.

And there are still so many books to reread!
[/quote]

I'm wondering, if I am asked to enter this year before November, how I'm going to cope without seeing the second part of Breaking Dawn. That, to me, will probably be a big surrender.

[Lisa]

[b]Hopeful- or anyone else that needs a slip pattern. This is really not that hard at all, I've just explained it in a lot of detail for those that have never sewn before.[/b]

You'll need: 1 yard of 44/45 inch (standard width) muslin, cotton, cotton poly, or batiste fabric- ask at the fabric store. I used a "premium muslin," which softens when washed. It probably would need to be a little more than a yard for those that are taller. You'll also need about 1 yard of 1/4" elastic.

Double the fabric, connecting the selvage (self finished edge, it usually has bumps or a little fringe) on the left side. Measure somewhere between your waist and your hips. Add about 10 inches. Divide by 2. So, if you have a 34 inch "low waist," add 10= 44, and divide by 2=22". That's how big the top part will be. In the top few inches of the fabric, with a fabric marking pen or regular pencil, draw a horizontal line that long. You might choose to dip down a bit, making a concave arch so the fabric doesn't bunch as much.

Now, using a measuring tape or ruler, measure down about 27". For most people, that will make an approximately knee-length skirt. [i]If you want to double check, measure from just below your belly button to where you want the skirt to fall (knee, just above or below, etc.). Add about 3". [/i]

At about 27" down below your first line, draw another horizontal (or slightly concave arch) line. This can be any width, but for running and playing, I'd recommend that it be at least a 30-35" line. That will make a skirt with a 60-70" round knee circumference... remember, you'll be genuflecting and soccer kicking in this.

Now, connect the ends of the top (waist) line to the bottom. This will form a trapezoid. Cut out both the top and bottom pieces (it's doubled, remember).

Placing right sides (what you want to be the outside. For muslin, there might not be an obvious "good side") together -this will look inside out- pin down both the angled sides. Sew a 3/8" seam down both sides. You could do a larger seam, but on a slip, you probably don't want the bulk. This will leave you with an open top and an open bottom. That's good; it's what you want. Now, go back with a zig-zag stitch (or a serger, if you've got one) and sew along the edge of the side seams- that will keep it from raveling.

Change back to a straight stitch. Now, you'll start the turn down waistband. Your skirt is still inside-out. You're still seeing the side seams. On the top of your skirt, turn down 1/4" towards the outer edge (which is really the inside of the skirt). Iron this in place. Then, turn down another 1/2" over the top of the first. Iron this and pin it. You shouldn't be able to see any exposed edges of the waistband now. Now, sew carefully on the bottom part of that fold, around the circular waistband. You'll want to be about 1/8" away from the bottom edge (so, about 3/8" inch from the top). But, as you go around, leave about a 1" hole without stitching. That's how you'll get your elastic into the tube you've just created.

Turn your skirt right side out so the seams are all on the inside. Get your elastic (and if you have an elastic runner, get that too. If not, grab a safety pin and attach it to one end of your elastic). Put that through the hole, pushing it all the way around the waistband and back out the hole. Grab ahold of both ends of the elastic. If you need to, place a pin in it so the elastic doesn't slip back inside. Step into your skirt, still holding on to both ends of the elastic. Gather and stretch the elastic until it fits firmly and snuggly against your tummy. Pin both pieces of elastic together there (the best way to do this is to make sure they overlap one on top of the other (not an X shape- it will work, but will be less comfortable). Now, stretch the elastic and place it under the sewing machine. This is a bit tricky, but basically, any way you can stitch the two pieces together works.

Try it on again and make sure it still fits. Adjust, sewing the elastic again, as necessary. Cut off the extra elastic. Handstitch or carefully machine stitch the hole together so the elastic is covered. To prevent the elastic from rolling, conisder stitching a few short vertical lines every so often over the elastic in the waistband.

Onto the hem. Turning the skirt back inside out, turn 1" up from the bottom towards the side of the skirt with the side seams (which is really the inside, but you're seeing this as the outside. Iron this in place. Then, turn up 1" again. Iron and pin. Now, sew carefully along the top edges of the fold (a little less than an inch away from the bottom of the skirt.) Sew all the way around.

Turn your slip right side out. You're finished!

[Lisa]

Oh goodness, that looks intimidating. Sorry about that. It's really not hard, I promise!!!!!!! I just went into obscene detail. Patterns usually come with pictures that make them much easier to understand!!!

[HopefulBride]

Thanks very much Lisa. I need to get back to the little things on my list when I get back home.

[fides quarens intellectum]

[quote name='Deus_te_Amat' timestamp='1343430450' post='2459476']
19 days.


Let the panic begin.
[/quote]

oh, my goodness - that's just a FEW days!!! AGGGHHHH!!! so happy and excited for you!

[Lil Red]

[quote name='Deus_te_Amat' timestamp='1343439272' post='2459532']
Tell me about it.

And there are still so many books to reread!
[/quote]

and you wanted to steal some of my books!

[TheresaThoma]

[quote name='Lil Red' timestamp='1343663372' post='2460235']
and you wanted to steal some of my books!
[/quote]
She is a Dominican what did you expect?

[emmaberry]

16 days! Almost 2 weeks!

[Queen'sDaughter]

Wow! Prayers for you! I know how much the devil tries to pile on the discouragement as your entrance date comes closer.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='TheresaThoma' timestamp='1343683740' post='2460387']
She is a Dominican what did you expect?
[/quote]

that and a lot of my books she was looking at were about Dominicans

[Lisa]

Ah! I am so sorry to anyone out there, but I just realized you'll need 2 yards of 45" fabric! I just remembered mine was a weird 90", so I doubled it sideways instead of lengthwise.

[Lumiere]

[url="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2009/07/make-vintage-inspired-half-slip-no.html"]Here[/url] is a set of instructions with pictures.

[url="http://www.candleonthehill.net/halfslip.pdf"]Here[/url] is another set of instructions with some pictures.

[Deus te Amat]

Two weeks.

I won't name names but someone amazing here offered to make my slips. Would you all be so kind as to say a prayer for this person as a thank you for their generosity?

Thanks!

So... I think I pretty much have everything now. Everything but shoe polish, but who needs shoe polish anyway?

[TheresaThoma]

Shoe polish is very important! Especially if you are a klutz like me, shoe polish can hide the scuffs.

Edited August 2, 2012 by TheresaThoma

[NonNovi]

[quote name='Deus_te_Amat' timestamp='1343875985' post='2461420']
but who needs shoe polish anyway?
[/quote]
Everybody here, to hide the scuffs on the tips from kneeling too much

[emmaberry]

10 days. Craazy.

[Deus te Amat]

13, actually.

[emmaberry]

[quote name='Deus_te_Amat' timestamp='1343958340' post='2461805']
13, actually.
[/quote]

Oops. less than two weeks!

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='Deus_te_Amat' timestamp='1343958340' post='2461805']
13, actually.
[/quote]

Wow!!! The things you must be feeling as you get ready to enter -- I can't even imagine!