Polonaise progress

[mala_14]

I have all the big pieces together now. It just needs ironing before putting together the sleeves and adding them. Then it will be all the smaller, fiddly bits, like collar, cuffs, buttons, buttonholes, hems, and ties for bustling.

There's also seam finishing. I'm not sure I even want to bother, but if I did, it'd be whipstitching all the seam allowances like in koshka_the_cat's antique cotton bustle dress. What do you think, friends: is it worth spending the time doing the hand work to neaten up the seam allowances, or should I just leave them so I can get on to sewing other things?

Comments

[atherleisure.livejournal.com]

If your fabric is prone to raveling or you're planning to wash it, I'd overcast the seam allowances. If not, there's no real need, though you might want to do the armscyes. Just remember that if you ever want to do it, you should probably do it now since it's really hard to go back and do stuff like that later on.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

Good point about doing the armscyes. I'll definitely overcast those. Thanks!

[ashamanja-babu.livejournal.com]

I would be the first person to say always, always do a seam finish... but I am also the first person to skip it on anything that's not going in the washing machine. I always end up wishing I had done it, but it does take some time.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

The fabric doesn't seem especially prone to fraying and I don't think it'll need washing often. But I think I'm going to do a seam finish on the sleeves and armscyes, because they'll see more wear. Thanks for the input!

[koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com]

Leave it if the fabric isn't ravelling. I often do :)

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I think I will for the most part. I'm just too lazy! Thanks! :)

[hharris.livejournal.com]

I always get a kick out of posts like this - you'll get as many different answers as there are sewers.
I like to finish my seams. But on a cotton that I'm hand-overcasting I just work on it slowly over time, as a portable project. It can be done whenever. No reason not to move on to other things.

[mala-14.livejournal.com]

I really enjoy hearing what other people do. It brings so much more experience to the table. It's so true that I can always go back and finish the seams later. Right now it's more important to get the darn thing wearable! Thanks!