See and Sew 3630 stretch knit skirt

This week I wanted and needed to overlock. The skirt from See & Sew 3630 (copyright 2002) was my overlock project. I refered to my manual and a book on serging.

A pattern from 2002 but with plenty of potential to wear now.

I used the instructions from Creative Serging Illustrated
 to construct the skirt rather than the pattern instructions.

A very useful book with clear line drawings and practical information.

Mary in the completed skirt - a grey ribbed knit remnant.

Close up of lettuce edging on the hemline - went around it twice.

Notes:

• Be very accurate with elastic measurements because once it is serged to the skirt who wants to unpick it if it is the wrong size.

Flatlocking

My overlocker/serger and I are good friends (as long as I play by its rules).  Over the last couple of evenings I've been teaching it and me a new trick - flatlocking. This is not a new technique to the world of sewing and garment manufacture. I'd read about it in issues of Threads magazine, in sewing books and serger books but hadn't really understood it.

My inspiration to actually sit down and work it out was a book by Palmer/Pletsch. However information on line such as this 2 page pdf are also very helpful http://www.ca.uky.edu/hes/fcs/FACTSHTS/CT-MMB-198.pdf

Wrong side view showing how fabric remnants were flatlocked together

Flatlocking "ladders" on right side of fabric.

Martha Pullen

A very luck day. Bought Martha Pullen's "French Hand Sewing by Machine, the second book".
A heirloom sewing book by someone not afraid to use modern machines and techniques. Lots of lace and ribbon. Stunning creations for children, tweens and adult women who want or need some lace and ruffles in their lives.