Rachel

I can't seem to find a solution for this that I'm happy with. For making dresses, for example. I don't have a serger and can't see getting one any time soon. I've tried turning the edges over twice and sewing them down on every single piece before I begin the project.. but that takes FOREVER! My typical solution is to use fray check. That's pretty darn tedious too, especially on a dress like this: http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos..._2585680_n.jpg with sooo many different pieces. And then dd complains that its scratchy (I'd complain too. It IS scratchy!) I've hand washed it twice now and its softened up a bit but I still had her wear a tank top under it to not feel scratchy. Is there a magic solution for this?

birthmassage

Have you played around with stitch length? Sounds like you might need to decrease your stitch length to make a tighter seam.

LittleBrownDog

Before I got my serger I pinked all the edges- You could also just zig zag stitch the seam allowances! Super cute dress!

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Leigh
Mama to Allison and Lizzie
Sleepytime Sewing

NewMommyMartin

I love the dress!! We want a pattern!!

manicmonday

Before I got my serger I used a zig zag stitch on everything, works great!

mamacita

Honestly, without a serger I think you have to do the time-consuming thing and fold the edges over double! Cute dress BTW .

Kymy

That's how they used to do it before sergers & it works pretty darn well! And looks nice too.

I avoid fray check at all costs anymore... it is scratchy & doesn't hold up well to washing, at least when I have used it.

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Rachel

zig zag stitch? Does that look weird when you turn it right side out? What about things like gathers on sleeves? Maybe I'll try pinking. I've never done that before but it should be easy. Sucks that all the cute/cheap/easy to find fabrics are wovens. I love working with knits, no problem with raw edges!

Rachel

Oh! by zig zag stitch the seam allowance did you mean after straight stitching it? I think I just got confused. Oh and the pattern is simplicity 3512 http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-...atternid=17778

Kymy

Yes!

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