cap sleeves

Remind me which pattern you are using again???

As a rule...you want to sew the straps on first in the front. Then you sew the lining to the fashion fabric, leaving two gaps in stitching across the back where the straps will attach in back. Then you turn the lining to the inside, tuck the straps into the slots you left in back and stitch them in place after fitting. Straps are much, much easier to add to a strapless dress than cap sleeves. That way lies madness in most cases. If she feels she needs something there, that strapless just won't do, add straps, not sleeves.

Sharon

I Agree with Sharon about trying to adapt "cap sleeves" to a strapless dress. You might want to suggest that a small shrug or bolero would work better.

Beverly

Thanks Sharon,

It is a princess line dress semi fitted, with some lace and beading on the bodice and may extend the lace and beading down at an angle in the front.

I got another idea to pleat wide straps downward, so it won't look like an afterthought or beach dress straps.

You are right, if I try cap sleeves, I am making more work for myself (and don't even know how to do them). I have to get it done in about 3-1/2 weeks time.

Trouble is she is in another State and can only get to emails (with my drawing ideas) at an internet cafe, not close to her.

I will try ringing her.

Thanks again. Katherine

Actually I made her a lace bolero to go with it, but I think she feels unsupported without sleeves or straps.

Katherine

Who chose the pattern/style?

I wish every prospective bride would, at a minimum, go to one of the large bridal stores and try on several styles to find what actually works for *them*. I think it would save a lot of heartache.

Beverly

Beverly,

I chose the pattern, because I wanted one that would be at my level of sewing - easy.

In between each posting here and any replies, things take a different turn and I end up thinking of other ways.

I put the lace bolero and whole dress on the dressmakers dummy to see how it would look. I put against the bodice the scalloped edge of the lace we intended putting across the top. Pinned the edge and let the rest of the lace hang down.

To my surprise it looked beautiful all laced. I think now I have enough to do the whole length of the front and back with the lace.

It looks more like a wedding gown and less like a nightie LOL. If it is ok with the bride I will have the lace all over. Now my next question for you all -

The gown needs taking in on the stomach/hip areas. Do I sew the lace in panels i.e. princess line (3 in front, 3 in back), or somehow all in one piece (1 front, 1 back)? at the same time I am taking the dress in?

Thanks again to all. Katherine

Sorry this post is l>> Actually I made her a lace bolero to go with it, but I

Makes perfect sense. ;) Easiest way, and I know it won't sound easy, but it will look good, is to take the bodice apart. (Hey, I can hear you groaning from here!! lol) What you should do, if you can get a fitting with her, fit the bodice, mark the changes. Then take the bodice apart. Cut the lace (I'm assuming all over lace, like you made the bolero from. Not trim lace that's just a little ribbon of lace.) out identical to the bodice pieces. Just lay the adjusted satin bodice pieces out on the lace; mark and cut the lace. Then edgestitch the lace to the right side of the satin. (that means sew all the way round the edges of each piece.) A handy tip on that is do Not turn any corners. Sew each edge separately. When you turn corners, things can get out of alignment and will make you nutty. Once the lace is attached to the satin at the edges, you can treat the lace and satin as one piece of fabric. Then just reassemble the bodice.

I think pleating the straps would be lovely. Good idea! Always remember the rule of "make it a design choice." That means any mistakes, or actions to cover mistakes, or late changes to the dress (like adding the straps lol) needs to look like it was a design choice early in the process. ;) That's your story....stick to it. lol

Before you get too into putting lace on the bodice, make sure it's not too much going on. You said there is trim for around the neckline right? And with the lace bolero, are you sure putting lace all over the bodice won't be too much? You don't want the trim around the neckline to get "lost." Also, keep in mind the size of the bride. If she is petite at all, too much lace can overwhelm her. You want her to wear the dress; you don't want the dress to wear her. And most importantly, I know distance is a factor, but the dress has to FIT her really, really well. If you can swing it at all, get her body and the dress in the same place and fit it to her. Even if that means you meet halfway between your homes, rent a cheap hotel room for the day and do the fitting there. And you want to do a fitting Soon! You are getting really close to being finished with the dress. Don't do any work that's not easy to take apart before you fit it to her. Trust me.

Sharon

Sharon,

I do hope I said thank you for your reply. Very detailed and I appreciate the advice.

Is it possible to have all over lace just in the front. She is petite and slim, and after reading your tips, maybe it will be the lace wearing her :-)

Just a thought. It does look lovely though front and back.

By your reply, I use the lace material and actually cut another layer like the satin and the lining layers?

Thanks again Katherine

You're so very welcome. :)

Why don't you cut out the lace and pin it to the seam lines before you take the bodice apart. That way you can see what it will look like and will know if it will be too much or just right...y'know without having to take apart all your work! ;)

Yes. That's exactly right. You will have a bodice cut out of lace. A bodice from your satin. And a bodice from your lining. (and any inter-or under lining that you put in there. It's not unusual for a wedding dress bodice to have 5 or 6 layers to it depending on how much foundation is built into the dress. Those are the ones that just about stand up on their own.)

BUT!! If you decide to do the lace all over the bodice, then you will sew the lace layer to the satin layer, one piece at a time. For example, you will take the center front piece that you cut out of lace and sew it to the center front piece you cut out of satin. Repeat for the side front piece and the center and side back pieces. Then after that you can treat those two layers as one single layer. You are making the satin bodice and the lining bodice completely separate till they are both completed right? Then you sew the lining to the satin bodice around the neckline. Right?

I hope that makes sense.

Sharon

Sorry I meant could I do the lace in the front i.e. the full front (princess line x 3 panels ) of the dress to the floor.

The original plan was to have a sleeveless dress with the lace underarm - across bust - to other side.

Then..... I somehow got a light stain on the hip area, don't know what to do about it. Guests won't see it, but the bride will, and I would be disappointed to give her less than my best effort.

When I was pinning the lace right across the neckline and let the lace just drop, it seemed a good idea to hide the light stain, and it also looked good.

I have made contact with the bridge and she wants me to send her pics, with and without full lace. I have enough lace to do the front and back to the floor.

If she decides to have all lace, will I take the dress apart then sew it back up with lace ends in the seams?

I could cut the lace to match the satin parts, but if she doesn't want all over lace, I can use the rest for a curtain :-) I have just pinned it on the dummy so I can take a pic of it.

Thanks for being so patient.

Katherine