#lace insertion

the Bernadette Banner in my mind:

Unusual design for this summer kimono made by Berry Kôbô, using a transparent organdi insertion embroidered with a super cute chidori (plover).

So for a garment that I started on ...Sunday? Monday? that I have to wear the following Saturday, naturally the best thing to do to it is literally slash holes over each boob and fill them in with lace because what could possibly go wrong?

Puella dress with lace insertion

After a nice weekend at home, it's back to homework. However, that also means back to sewing. :) This little video is just showing an optional process as far as lace-shaping goes, which is cutting away the fabric from behind the lace. I highly recommend this last step for any project, but especially for overlapping lace like these knots. I think it just gives it a clean and unique look.

In order to do this you need to make sure that the lace has been securely zig-zagged down onto the fabric. Check the edges for spots where the thread didn't catch the header of the lace. Also, while a regular pair of small scissors will work, it is incredibly easy to cut through both the fabric and the lace. So, I have pictured the type of scissors I like to use. These are duck bill scissors and they allow you to get very close to the stitches without nicking them. My only complaint is that the tips are very sharp and tend to snag on the fabric/lace. I would recommend getting a blunt-tip pair. 

The process itself is very easy but, like I said, you have to be careful. All I did was flip the fabric over to the wrong side, and cut away the fabric between the zig-zag stitches.

The last slide shows where I have run some ribbon through the dyed swiss insertion and stitched it down below the crown. In doing this, I just trimmed away the seam allowance tape on either side and turned under the corners to get that nice point on either end. For right now I've only zig-zag stiched the bottom angles of the points and the bottom edge. This way, the center of the crown is fully enclosed with a stitch-line and I can cut that middle fabric away just like the heart.

I forgot to get a picture of the hollowed out crown, but you'll be able to see what I'm talking about in my next post. :)