Did you see Della's Dropwaist Dress that released today? It's adorable! It includes a lot of sweet features that are fabulous on their own. Sometimes it's fun to play around with added embellishments too, and one of our testers came up with a fun addition to Della's!
Isn't that cute?! Megan Wachowski agreed to teach us her techniques here, for adding a bodice trim and bow to Della's dress. Here she is!
After cutting all of your pattern pieces according to the Della’s pattern you will need to cut your bodice trim and bow pieces as follows:
Trim pieces: Cut four pieces total, with each piece measuring 4 inches wide by the length of the bottom of each bodice piece.
Bow pieces: Cut two rectangles, measuring 8 inches wide by 20 inches long. One is for your bow and the other is for your bow tails.
Bow center: 2 inches by 3 inches
Step 1: Take all four of your trim pieces and fold one long raw edge over, wrong sides together, ¼ inch and press.
Step 2: Take your trim pieces and line up the long raw edge, that you did not fold over, with the bottom raw edge of your bodice. Sew ⅛ inch from the top of your trim to attach it to the bodice piece. At this point you may sew a baste stitch along the other edges of the trim but it is not necessary.
Step 3: Assemble your Della’s as instructed in the pattern.
Adding your bow:
Step 1: To create your bow you will take one of your 8x20 rectangles and fold in half lengthwise with right sides together. Sew along the raw edge. Once you’ve done that you will open your rectangle so your seam runs down the center of the bow. Press your seam open then flip your piece right side out.
Step 2: With your piece right side out and your seam facing up fold your short ends together and sew as show in the picture. Once you’ve done that you will open your bow so your seam runs down the center. Press your seam open then flip your bow right side out.
**Repeat Steps 1 & 2 with your bow center piece**
Step 3: On to your bow tails. Take your other 8x20 rectangle and fold it in half lengthwise with right sides together and press. You will then fold the ends over like a triangle and iron to set. Do this to both ends making sure that when you fold them in half, the points mirror each other. Trim along your crease to create points.
Step 4: Sew along all the raw edges leaving a small space open in the center to turn you tails right side out.
Step 5: Turn your tails right side out and top stitch ⅛ inch from the edge all the way around.
Step 6: Place your bow piece on top of your tail piece with the back of your bow touching the front of your tail piece. Using your fingers gather the middle of your bow like an accordion. I like to tie a small piece of thread around the center to hold the bow tight but that is optional.
Step 7: Slide your bow center piece over the center of your bow. Place your finished bow across the back of your bodice and sew inside the bow loops to secure the bow. Make sure you are only sewing the back layer of the bow loops and that you are staying close the center when doing this.
That’s it: you’ve now added a little flare to your Della’s by adding bodice trim and a bow. Get creative...maybe attach your bow off centered on the front or centered on your chest. It’s your creation.
A huge thank you to Megan for sharing her tutorial with us! We love all the ideas our testers come up with; we couldn't do what we do without their help!
We can't wait to see what you make using this tutorial. Feel free to ask for help in our patterns group if you need, and please share your photos with us when it's complete! The more Della's the better.
Let's Create! ~ Kristen
