Organza for Anna

I have been working away in the sewing room.

This week it has been a real challenge to get myself out the door to work because I would rather be stitching away.

This fabric definitely requires that the zipper opening is reinforced with silk organza.

Because the fabric is very lightweight, I felt that it needed some reinforcement around the neckline.  Instead of finishing the raw edges with a facing, I applied an organza facing to the lining that will get sandwiched between the bodice and the lining.  

And to avoid any stretching, I used some rayon seam binding as a seam stay.

The more time I spend with seam binding, the more uses I find for it!

The curved edge of the "sleeve" requires clipping and trimming in order to lay flat, which weakens the area.

I like to reinforce the seam with an extra line of stitching.

After it is pressed open, I add two rows of top-stitching to the lining for an added bit of reinforcement.

Lately, I have been hand picking my underlinings.  It works for zippers, so why not a facing?  I like the added control it gives.  As if I need any excuse to hand sewing something!

Thankfully I had some leftover silk thread from last year's Symphony Gala Outfit.  There is something about this color that I clearly find very appealing, but finding matching thread is a real problem!

[The pattern for this project was received in exchange for my contributions as a Sewing Indie Month sew-along host]