I have been participating in a month long Instagram event. #bpsewvember. Every day a topic that we need to follow. An early one was WIP Work in progress.
So it was time to get cracking.
Of course I used my serger, this is a knit fabric after all. But unlike my previous dress, I had to rely on more than one machine.
I thought it would just be two. Here I am using a twin needle for all the hems. Gives a nice double row of stitching. Mimics a cover-stitch machine, no I don’t need one, really I don’t have the room….. just trying to convince myself that I REALLY don’t need one.
The problem with my relatively simple machine is there is only room for one spool. I’m not the first sewer to come across this problem, hence the external spool holder. Works wonderfully! Twin needles need two spools of thread.
And then… turns out I needed to sew two short rows of gathering stitches. The thought of changing out the twin needle was too much. It is very hard to thread that thing, the machine can’t thread both side. SO….
Machine no. 3, the straight stitch only one.
Top is finished and lovely, are you seeing what I’m seeing a big black dot right in the middle. The more I look at this fabric I realize I was plain lucky – I could have had circle in very inconvenient places – like right over my boobs. Never thought of that when I bought the fabric.
It all worked out and the dress is adorable, which begs the question, WHY AREN’T I SMILING? You’ll have to ask the photographer that question. (me).
A very quick sew, 3 hours at most, using ITY knit which is soft and clingy. The V-neck line sits beautifully, I credit both the pattern and the fabric.
And… here is my black dot again, right in the middle of my back! 
Closer look at the lovely fit in front. No special treatment here. I have read enough advice about how to reinforce such a neckline so it won’t gape. I’m wondering if because it is a separate piece of fabric it lies so well. It isn’t on the bias as it would be if the fronts were one piece instead of two. 
Of course I will use this pattern again. If I use a thicker fabric I won’t have the pleasure of twirling the skirt like this, another fun aspect of this fabric.
It turned out great! And I don’t think the black circle on the front sticks out too much. Since there are black circles everywhere it blends in 🙂
The black circle is fine where it is, funny how both on the front and the back it’s right in the center.
You might have noticed I have already made another Wren, also in a bright colorful knit, waiting for warmer weather to make it as a summer dress that will of course get much more wear.