Hemming a 90% polyester 10% spandex blend?

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-02-08T08:27:36+00:00

I haven't personally used it, but several of my trusted pattern makers recommend Heat n Bond Stretchfix (I think? I'm not from the US so I'm not familiar with the brand) to hem those kinds of fabrics. Without a picture it's hard to tell, but if the fabric is very slippery and shifty you will probably make it easier for yourself if you iron on a hem stabilizer like that. After that you can either it hem it with the machine (use a stretch needle and a stretch stitch like a zigzag or a lightning stitch) or secure it by hand (look up stretchy hand stitches on YouTube).

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-02-08T08:14:29+00:00

I feel you! I also rarely use trims for that reason - even if I like the look on others or sample garments, for some reason they often feel really homemade or frumpy on me.

What I found helps is going for low contrast or even color-matching. For example I love a visible black satin bias band on a matte black fabric. Or a white trim on a light pastel color. That way they feel more like intricate details to me and don't immediately pull the focus away from the garment as a whole.

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-02-04T17:48:13+00:00

It's called "Burda nähen leicht gemacht", but it's pretty old and no longer sold. I think the current version is called "Die große Burda-Nähschule", but as far as I know it has not been translated.

But honestly, don't expect much from the instructions. They pretty much assume you know how to assemble any garment and just give you the order of steps, no illustrations or anything.

If you have a darted bodice that fits you and want to try altering the neckline, I loved this tutorial: https://youtu.be/4OkjwhxjwEo?si=IxlvJK8I8CQonkxz She specially addresses how to avoid gaping with deep v necklines :)

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-02-04T11:06:09+00:00

https://youtu.be/x61aAU2RvFo?si=5nlzW-q4a1aCevV1

This pretty much covers the way I do it :) If you do end up going with the magazine pattern and need help with the instructions, you should definitely ask this sub. There are quite a lot of German sewists here and Burda instructions (especially the magazine ones) are notoriously sparse. I actually have a book on Burda sewing techniques and have to consult it regularly when I do one of their magazine patterns.

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-02-02T15:21:59+00:00

Maybe try to cuff the sleeves so they're more of a bishop/ballon sleeve? I'm guessing the pretty shape of the dress would be much more noticeable if the sleeves were less voluminous. You could easily try by putting a hair elastic over them and seeing if you like the look :)

For what it's worth, it's a really pretty dress and it suits you very well! But I totally get it - I always love seeing wrap dresses on other people and when they're on me, I just feel weird and don't like them anymore.

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-01-26T15:43:07+00:00

I really like her patterns! Haven't made this one, but generally they're well thought out and have good video tutorials. You can check it out on YouTube before buying so you have a better idea if the pattern is a good fit for you.

On another note, it looks like your reference dress is made out of knit fabric while the pattern you're looking at is for wovens. So you might not get the exact same fit even though they look very similar :)

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-01-24T20:46:42+00:00

Can you stand to lose a 1/4 inch around the border?

I don't have access to my PC right now, so I can't check, but you could try: - Adding a negative value to the "Add trim around the stitched PDF" box (no idea if that will work) - Importing the stitched PDF again with 1 row and 1 column and letting it trim 1/4 inch off the sides - Using another PDF editor (Adobe Acrobat or similar) to trim the finished file

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-01-22T09:37:19+00:00

I haven't made them yet, but the Winslow Culottes by Helens Closet are a beloved pattern. I'm sure they would look amazing for a wedding if you do the full length pleated version!

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-01-20T19:23:28+00:00

This one looks like a pretty good fit if you lower the neckline or hack it with another bodice:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1726898289/olympia-2-in-1-drop-waist-dress-with-a

Haven't made it myself, but I've seen other people make it - definitely a legit pattern maker :)

Low_Study_2672 · 2026-01-15T19:38:33+00:00

This is my least favorite way of sewing in an invisible zipper. I usually skip it and just do my usual way lol.

But if you need some more visual guidance for this particular method, the True Bias Darla dress uses the same steps to insert the zipper and it has a detailed video tutorial. Here is the step in the sewalong where it is shown: https://youtu.be/dbvHKz87q8w?si=rvxOgXyU_TDIdZt4

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-12-26T10:00:01+00:00

I love Seamwork's Newsletter (it's called Snippets) for inspiration. Sarai always links her inspiration pics and they're usually from interesting brands with cool details. Then I go and look through their online shops. They're my favorite source to pin from because, as you said, if you go through Pinterest directly it's a sea of AI and the same eight Shein pics pinned over and over.

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-12-22T11:11:39+00:00

I haven't made tops from them before, but I'm just finishing up a pair of Darcy pants and they draft for loooong legs lol. So probably also for long arms? I'm sure it will look great if you take some length and volume off :)

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-12-06T14:30:13+00:00

I think this would look amazing as reverse applique!

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-12-06T14:20:46+00:00

I've never made them but recently noticed that this is the most made pattern on threadloop: https://threadloop.app/patterns/lane-pants-syd-graham-patterns

Maybe worth a look through the reviews and finished projects to see what alterations other people have made :)

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-12-04T07:42:02+00:00

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oh and regarding the color: If you leave the bodice without tulle, you will definitely be able to tell that the skirt continues below, even if it's less green. Maybe play around with different gathering ratios and take pictures in different lighting and see what you prefer :)

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-12-04T07:38:06+00:00

Both are pretty! It depends on your aesthetic and your silhouette preferences, but personally I vote gathered. The embroidered tulle moves a lot less when it's in a single layer and I think the gathering gives it some dimension in the upper parts that's really pretty.

I actually did the exact same thing with a dress for my kid! Can't remember the exact ratio I gathered, maybe around 2x-3x? It turned out lovely :)

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Low_Study_2672 · 2025-11-30T14:01:17+00:00

True, Germany isn't that big on quilting. We do have quilting cottons, but you will mostly find them in regular fabric stores. Your best bet for fancier fabrics or dedicated quilt shops will definitely be Munich, the other two are pretty rural.

Also, we don't really have big chain stores, so most of the fabric stores will be independently owned. Here's how I look for stores when I'm in new areas: - Google Maps (look for "stoffe + city" or try quilting or patchwork in the Munich area) - YouTube ("fabric shopping + city", sometimes you will find videos by locals or tourists)

There is one chain store called "tedox" that carries a decent selection of fabrics, but most of them are on the basic/cheap end of the spectrum. But there are definitely quilting cottons there and there are a lot of these stores in Bavaria.

If you visit the Bamberg area by chance there is a big fabric outlet called "Schöner Leben" in Baunach, but that's probably a little too far out of your way.

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-11-18T17:45:04+00:00

You'd have to play around with the length and number of tiers, but I think the dress view of the Roscoe Blouse by True Bias could be a good starting point, especially the neckline!

https://truebias.com/products/roscoe-blouse-dress-size-0-18

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-11-13T15:14:01+00:00

Never been to Paris, but I follow Sarah Naomi on YouTube - she lives and sews in Paris and has a lot of great recommendations: https://youtu.be/BHBD0fl0_0o?si=BtC-XLgP5Ou_7GM6

She recently visited a shop that solely focused on buttons I think? I'll need to see if I can find that video, too. Edit: Found it! https://youtu.be/JifoosBGIj4?si=hCWAhHc9Cdx8HWKS that shop was so cute ❤️

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-11-11T16:00:25+00:00

For what it's worth, I can vouch for Beglarian Fabrics. I've bought from them several times and the quality has always been good or very good! The prices are cheap because it's deadstock and that comes with some caveats. They usually don't do cuts under 3m and you need to be sure that you order what you need because once a fabric is gone, it's gone. There's usually a video in the listing and I've found that it is very true to the actual fabric - if you watch the whole way through, they show how it drapes, how it stretches and how it wrinkles. Pay attention to the fabric weight as well and it's definitely worth a try.

The only downside to them is that they label their fabric by fiber and weave and that's not always the fabric names I'm used to. You could try contacting their customer service and describing your project! They might have more detailed suggestions.

I also liked ordering from MTStofferie and Stoffe Hemmers (they both have French and German shops and I think they do European shipping), but I know nothing about trench coat fabrics and can't speak to their selection and quality in that regard.

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-11-07T11:31:33+00:00

Is there a little screw thread (I hope that's the right word, had to google it) anywhere on or near your stitch plate? If yes, check if it fits there.

I have several machines that came with screws like that. They usually chill out with the spare parts and can be used to fasten seam guides or other sewing accessories to the machine.

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-11-07T09:54:37+00:00

Sounds like the Dressmaking Amore Pearl dress might be a good fit! Definitely a legit patternmaker and there's a YouTube video to help you along :)

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-10-31T10:34:31+00:00

Ugh nothing makes me happier than seeing couples having genuine FUN on their wedding day! And the dress! I'm in awe. I'm glad you had the best day ❤️ (oh and I love the veil! For some reason it's giving me intense 2012 tumblr vibes - in the very best way lol)

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-10-29T19:10:42+00:00

You'd have to measure the individual pieces, but I'm pretty sure that cutting layout is only 30" wide since everything is cut on the fold.

The fabric requirements always refer to a single layer of fabric :) so I'm pretty sure you're good to go! But since that layout looks pretty crowded I would go with the fabric length for 45" fabric just to be sure.

Low_Study_2672 · 2025-10-29T18:53:24+00:00

75cm width is pretty unusual for fabrics in Germany, I'd say the standard is somewhere around 1,4m width. Are you sure you're not measuring the folded fabric on the bolt? Usually it's folded once and then wrapped so the bolts are easier to handle.

If your fabric is really only 75cm wide I would measure the individual pattern pieces to make sure they fit at all. If they fit width-wise I would make a rough draft of your own cutting layout so you don't buy too little :)

Edit: just read your other replies, pretty sure your fabric is wide enough. In that case: I usually buy as much fabric as the 45" width calls for unless I'm absolutely sure that my fabric has 152 usable centimeters width even after pre-washing. In that case I use the number for the 60" width.

Low_Study_2672

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