I'm Biased

Welcome! Today is day 3 of the Julianne Blog Tour for DIBY Club! If you've missed any of the previous days, check them out below, and make sure to search out tomorrow's awesome offerings.

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The Julianne Blog Tour Schedule

November 3rd - Sewing With Sarah | Bellephant
November 4th - Very Blissful | Stitched by Jennie
November 5th - Styling With Christina | Mermaid Mama Designs | Diskordias Curvy Sewing
November 6th - Swimming in a Sea of Estrogen | Bex Textiles | Love Made Handmade

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This is my very first time to participate in a blog tour and I'm excited to be here and so glad you could join me. I'm bringing to you a bias tape hack for the full placket, drawstring casing, drawstring, and collar. This hack is more due to my penchant for time saving (aka laziness) than anything else, and is so simple. All I used was 1 package each of 7/8 inch and 1/2 inch double fold bias tape in a coordinating color. So, without further ado, let's get started...

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The Full Placket

For this step you will need the 7/8 inch wide double fold bias tape. I found mine at my local JoAnn Fabrics.

You will need to remove 1" from the placket edge on each of the front bodice pieces. I removed mine after having cut out my pattern pieces, but this alteration could easily be accomplished by folding the edge of your pattern piece back 1" prior to cutting it out of your fabric. Now, measure and cut a length of tape that equals the length of your full placket. Make sure to cut 2, one for each front bodice piece.

Next, sew or serge the unfolded tape to the right side of your placket edge, making sure the wider side of the tape goes toward the wrong side of your project. Believe me it makes a difference.

When you have the raw edges serged, encase them in the fold of the bias tape and edgestitch the tape to your project with the right side facing up.

Leave the ends unfinished for now. You will finish them with the collar construction and hemming.

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The Drawstring Casing

For this step you will need the 1/2" bias tape. Measure and cut a length that will extend from one edge of your project to the other along the marks you transferred from the bodice pattern pieces to your fabric.

Unfold the bias tape and iron out the center fold. Also turn the short ends under 1/4" and iron.

Attach the casing to your projet as per the tutorial. Easy peasy!

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The Drawstring

You will again be using the 1/2" double fold bias tape. Measure out a length per the cut list located in the tutorial, then proceed to Step 5 of Creating a Drawstring. Even easier peasier!

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The Collar

For the collar you will again need the 7/8" wide bias tape.
1. Measure out the length you will need against your garment neckline + 1" for seam allowance.
2. Unfold the tape at the center fold and refold with right sides together.
3. Stitch one short edge at 1/2" seam allowance and trim to 1/8".

4. Place the collar so that the seam allowance lines up with the placket edge.

Unfold the tape and line up the raw edge of the bias tape with the raw edge of the neckline and sew or serge in place making sure to leave 1" at each end not sewn or serged.

Turn the bias tape right side out and encase the neckline edge with the bias tape.

Repeat steps 2-4 above at the other end of the collar and neckline then edge stitch the tape into place.

Admire your bias tape collar.

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The Final Result

Find The Julianne here (affil link). It will be on sale for $8.99 through 11/10/17.

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For this version I used a Crepon from Sly Fox Fabrics. You can find it here: slyfoxfabrics.com

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Want more? A gallery of tester photos can be found here and here's a release roundup. An extra 15% discount code can be found by subscribing to the Sewing Insider email list on the round up post.

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The DIBY Club will be hosting a pattern and fabric giveaway, so don't miss it! To enter, go to the DIBY Facebook Page.

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This post contains an affiliate link. Using this link to make a purchase provides a small amount towards helping to support my sewing endeavors, at no cost to you. Thank you!!

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Find me on Facebook at Styles for Miles, on Instagram @styles_for_miles_love, or on my website.

For Those That May Not Want to Always Sew Alone

Sew Along:  
The process of being walked through construction of a garment from start to finish, generally with helpful videos posted by the host(s), typically with a 4-7 day time frame to complete the garment, with the chance to win tempting sewing prizes at completion for posting photos of your finished garment---aka my new sewing addiction.  

Enter in So Sew English Fabrics.
Enter in New Horizons Designs Portlander Pants.  

A match made in Heaven.

To try my hand at these oh so cozy looking pants, I chose a 2 yard French terry, 1 yard double brushed polyester, and 1 cord Zephra bundle offered up by SSE.  This turned out to be the most buttery soft, can't stop petting the fabric bundle!  It was a dream to lay out, cut, and sew (the fabric alone makes me want to wear these pants every day).  

The Portlander Pants pattern offers up a pants or shorts option, a tall waistband that can be folded down yoga style if you wish, optional drawstring, and optional patch pockets.  It's drafted for sizes XXS-3X.  For the pants/shorts you'll want to choose a knit fabric with at least 35% stretch and good drape; for the waistband a knit fabric with at least 50% stretch and excellent recovery.  

I chose all the bells and whistles for my first pair of Portlanders, and I don't regret it one bit.  

I followed the step by step videos posted by Heidi Hilmerson of SSE, and construction of the pants went so smoothly--from printing to taping to cutting to sewing.  I especially appreciated the extra tips and techniques passed on along the way.

Something I want to note is that I did add almost 2 inches to the length of the pants (I think that stems from frequently having to wear high water pants as a girl)  and finished the raw edge of the hem with a rolled hem stitch on my serger.   In hind sight,  I probably wouldn't have had to, but I did cut an XS waist graded to a S hip as I fit smack dab in the middle of the measurements for each.  The final result is a pair of pants that are comfortable, cozy, relaxed, and beautiful.  Made just for me, by me.

I see many, many more sew alongs in my future.  And many, many more Portlander Pants.

You can find SSE fabrics on Facebook HERE
You can find SSE Sew-Alongs on Facebook HERE
~the next one is scheduled Aug 3-7 for Halla's Bliss Dress~
You can find New Horizons Designs on Facebook HERE
     

***Note:  No affiliate links were used in the writing of this post***