Hey dear readers!
Hope you’re having a great end to your weekend.
I’ve made some progress on the Cambie since we last spoke. I installed the zipper by hand (of course!) and it went in beautifully as usual. It takes a wee bit more time, but honestly probably about the same amount of time it takes to rip out machine stitches because the match points weren’t right. It’s also pretty critical because I’m matching prints on the CB seam.
I’ve already posted about making hand picked zip here, but I’ve found a few more tricks that made my life a bit easier matching prints. Warning: I made this stuff up, but it worked for me! And hey, there’s a thousand ways of doing something! Just depends on what works for you, eh?
1. I stabilized both seams of my zip with a strip of organza and went about 3cm below this as well, since this gets a lot of tugging and whatnot. I attached the organza with small running stitches that only caught the underlining.
2. I pinned the length of the zipper to both sides with my quilting ruler underneath my seam because this allowed me to keep the zip flat and not have to handle the fabric. This allowed me to make sure I matched the pattern and the waistband seam. I then basted it in place.
Now that I KNOW the pattern matches, the waistband matches and I’ve built in my ‘dome’ I can go ahead and pick stitch and not worry.
It worked beautifully, so I’ll be doing this again even though it might be a little unconventional 
Other changes I made were to peg in the skirt a whopping 6cm at the base to make it more of a pencil skirt and I added a back slit for walking ease.
Here she is on Lola so far!
Now all that’s left is the lining. AND WE KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE LINING!!!! Anyone have any suggestions on what I should use?
Relax and Enjoy,
Kat
Congratulations! It’s wonderful! I am speachless…
Oh, thank you so much. I’m speechless at the thought of lining it
Wow – you pattern matching is fabulous. I love the look of handpicked zips (have yet to try it out though!) but tend to go down the lazy route and put in an invisible zip! I read somewhere about threading a small a glass bead on the needle when you make each pick stitch, so rather than seeing (albeit very cute) stitches, you would have a row of pretty beads.
I look forward to seeing your finished dress – I am sure it will look fabulous!
Thank you so much twotoast! Thanks also for that wonderful tip…what a great design element to incorporate. Shall try that!
This is just stunning! Knockout material!!
Thanks, Lizzy…the fabric was <3 at first sight!
Making the skirt a pencil skirt is a great idea, did you just taper in the side seams?
Hey Sarah! Cool to see you around here! Yeah, I made the A-line skirt as is and then tried it on and pinned out the side seams – essentially tapering them in. Had to take in a bit at the hips too, but only a cm or so.
Ingenious use of a quilting ruler! The pattern matching looks perfect.
Thanks! I spent so much on it I had to use it again! Actually I use it all the time…can’t have enough clear rulers around IMHO
Hi Kat,
I’ve taken to lining my skirts with the softest 100% cotton sheeting (not poly/cotton blend) I can get (usually from IKEA!). It’s so hot here in Perth, it makes any type of fabric wearable without breaking out into a sweat
Huh, I never thought of that, thanks for the comment Jenn! Your’e definitely right about the crazy hot weather here, although it’s been ‘cool’ lately thank god
That zipper work is awesome! Well done for taking the time, and having the patience, to ensure this worked for you! The dress is just simply ‘stunning!!!’
Oh, thank you very much Judith! It comes to a point where you’ve put so much work into it that you don’t want a silly thing like a pattern mismatch or waistband mismatch to ruin everything!
How about lining it in red or green. Or is that more of a tangerine? Super sexy dress
Ooooooo….I like the way you think! So much cooler than plain navy. It’s a red. Thanks for the complement *blush*
I am in awe of your patience for print-matching. Truly couture. : )
Haha, thanks very much. I did have to take a small break after doing that
I think I have many years before my work is really couture, but I plan to have a tonne of fun along the way 
i love the dress you’re making! i like to use cotton batiste for lining sometimes because it breathes and is machine washable.–anne
Thanks Anne! Thanks for the suggestion of cotton batiste. That’s what I was thinking too. Great minds…
Since I learnt how to insert a zip by hand – thanks to Susan’s couture dress Craftsy course – I have never used my machine for this purpose. I love the control it gives you.
LIKE!!! I couldn’t agree with you more. It really doesn’t take *that* much more time and is way less frustrating and more enjoyable! And yes, so much more control. I hate feeling like the machine (instead of me) is in control of my sewing project. I suppose couture sewing puts YOU right back in the driver’s seat…maybe that’s why we love it so much!
Thanks for your comment!
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