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Show A tribute to 'Raggedy Ann Remember when you were six, a tattered "Raggedy Ann" was your constant companion? She wore a pinafore over a printed calico dress and you did, too. Fashions come and go and come back again, but little girls will always wear pinafores. Though you long ago outgrew out-grew the one you wore at six, this crispy pinafore (Simplicity 8010) has grown up to big girl proportions. It has ruffled wings and a teeny-tiny sashed waist. It solos as a mini-skirted sundress, or aprons this peasantly printed, puffed sleeved, A-line dress. You probably first learned to sew by hand, making doll clothes from scraps of fabric. Now you sew all your "fine seams" by machine. However, hand sewing is still a necessary skill. Hand-basting is usually best for easing, matching a fabric design at a seam, and in the preparation of pleats. Finishing details such as tacking down facings, sewing on fasteners and overcasting ravelly seam edges are also hand-done. As better and better machines cut down sewing time, hand sewing is becoming an art. For example, stitching the outside of a zipper application gives an expensive, custom-look to a garment. Generally, you would use the same thread for both machine and hand-stitching a garment. The thread is used single, unless extra strength is needed for a button or zipper. 18" is a good working length to begin with; any longer will tangle. Cut your thread from the spool on a slant; never break it. Thread your needle and make a knot with this cut end. Use a knot if you can hide it under a hem or seam allowance. Otherwise, start and finish your sewing with a few tiny backstitches on top of each other. |