Summer Garment Sewing!

Hello friends!  I’m excited to be here today!  I took a little sewing and blogging break as my son got married on our farm here in Tennessee and my husband and I spent 6 weeks doing all sorts of wedding prep things on our farm!   For a month I literally didn’t sit down in my sewing studio… I think that has to be the longest stretch I’ve ever gone without sewing!

When I made the double gauze quilt and blogged about it here, I kept thinking that I sure would love to try some garment sewing with the double gauze fabric.  Shannon Fabrics sent me plenty of their Rain or Shine Embrace® Rainbow Double Gauze , Queen Anne’s Lace Embrace®Coral Double Gauze, and Solid Embrace®Cobalt. I decided to make my 13 year old grand-girl Jillian a sweet little summer outfit.

I’d like to share my experience of garment sewing with double gauze as it is a little different than sewing with quilting cotton, which is what I usually do!  There are also several Clover tools that I used on this project that made it so much easier, and I’m excited to share those with you too.  

First of all, I did pre-wash and iron the fabric.  I know that I proved when I made the quilt that the quality double gauze fabric from Shannon Fabrics did not shrink but I didn’t want to take the risk in making a garment without pre-washing.   I dried it in the dryer on cool setting and I used spray starch to iron it so that it made it nice and smooth for cutting out the pattern.  The fabric was good to go at that point!

I chose a pattern that was 13 year old girl approved!  The pattern is called Clover Tween by Violet Field Threads.  I always love their patterns – they are easy to follow and easy to modify if you want to change things up a bit.   

I  used my favorite Clover Flower Head Pins Art. No 2506 to pin the pattern to the fabric.  I love these pins because they are super sharp and they are long.   I also used my favorite scissors – the  Patchwork Scissors Large Art. No 493/L.  These scissors are so sharp and you can cut through lots of layers!

*Note:  I have to admit that all of my Clover scissors are my favorite!  I wrote a review post on  them all and you can read that here, if you haven’t already! 

One thing I do know about most double gauze garments that I have seen is that if the seams aren’t serged on the inside then you can end up with fraying and raveling.  But for some unknown reason I’m not a fan of serged seams and so I felt that I either needed to line my garment or I needed to use french seams.  I sewed all french seams in the skirt, giving the inside of the skirt that perfect and professional finish.  

I chose to do a complete lining of the blouse as it was a super simple process.  The pattern does not call for lining, but it is so easy to do!  And the finish was absolutely perfection.  And with double gauze fabric it is still very lightweight.  

No matter what I am sewing, I’m always so thankful for my Clover tools.  And in this project I absolutely loved using the Hot Ruler Art. No 7811 for pressing the perfect hem size.  Folding over the double gauze and pressing to the exact measurement could’ve been a little tricky since the fabric naturally has the little puckers in it and also wants to slide around a bit.  But the Hot Ruler really helped hold it firmly in place to press.  The surface of the Hot Ruler is kind of like a felt surface so the double gauze held fast to it really well.  This skirt pattern has the hemmed ruffle as well as the elastic waistband and the Hot Ruler made it so simple and fast.  You don’t want to be without this tool! 

I’m wondering how many of you thread elastic through the sewn channel by using a safety pen?  And then the frustration that comes when the safety pen comes unlocked and you can’t move it forward or backward?  I’ve done that too many times to count.  The Clover Clip ‘n Glide Bodkin Art. No 9609 is a game changer!!  I love this tool.  It’s so simple… you clip it to the end of your elastic and you guide it through!  It’s long and flexible so it moves smoothly and bends around curves.  This is a must for any garment sewing! 

*Note:  I sew with my grand-girls and teaching them to pull elastic through with a safety pen has created so much frustration.. but with the Bodkin, it takes all the frustration out of it!  

This outfit came out so beautiful and you know its a hit when a 13 year old girl loves how it looks and feels!  

And now…surprise!  I made a dress for myself.  Lets be clear and honest here… I rarely sew for myself.  Because I make something and I’m never quite happy with how it turns out and I never wear it.  But these cheerful and happy rainbows were screaming summer sunshine and I couldn’t help but see a sundress / swimsuit coverup dress when I looked at it!  I also was super excited to have a garment of my own made out of double gauze! 

I chose the Strand Dress pattern by Halfmoon Atelier.    The bodice and straps are kind of curvy and a little fussy to sew and the Clover Flower Head Pins were a huge help.  Normally I love Clover Wonder Clips for something like this and I had them handy to use, but because of the lightweight double gauze fabric, the pins were the perfect solution.  

This pattern called for a drawstring waist, which I did, but I wasn’t happy with it.  It was a simple process to modify it and place elastic instead… and with the Clover Bodkin it was a breeze!

I really loved making this pattern.  Once again, I was able to do a combination of lining and french seams so the inside of the garment is very clean and finished.  There will be no fraying or annoying serged seams!  I’ve washed it twice already and its held up perfectly.

I love the look and feel of garments made with the double gauze… think breezy and flowing!  

I’ve decided that in pairing my favorite Clover tools and Shannon Fabric’s Rain or Shine Embrace® Rainbow  Double Gauze , Queen Anne’s Lace Embrace® Coral Double Gauze, and Solid Embrace® Cobalt. I just might end up sewing a few more summer outfits!  I challenge you to give it a try and let me know how it goes for you!  

And since I know you are dying to see a picture of my son’s sunset wedding on our Hilltop Farm, here is a picture for you to enjoy!  It couldn’t have been a more perfect, small and intimate wedding!  

Happy Summer Sewing my friends!  I’ll see you next month! 

~ Dori ~