In this week’s session, I introduced our exciting new project – the Amanda Jacket – and addressed various sewing questions from students. I provided tips on lining skirts, grading seams, and matching seams between bodices and skirts, emphasizing the importance of practice and patience in developing sewing skills.

I didn’t do a formal demonstration this week, but I showed the new Amanda Jacket project and discussed its features.

Questions & Answers:

• Q: How does adding the side seam affect lining on the Amanda dress?
• A: The lining should match the top fabric exactly. If your top fabric has a side seam, cut the lining the same way and attach them together.

• Q: When would you recommend grading seams for lining?
• A: For this dress, I don’t recommend grading seams much. You might want to make the lining 1/8 inch shorter at the hem for a slight roll-up effect.

• Q: What’s the best way to finish a zipper at the top of the dress?
• A: I’ll make sure to include more close-ups of this process in future videos. The key is to fold and trim carefully for a tidy finish.

• Q: How can I always get the seams between the bodice and skirt to match?
• A: Basting or using a long machine stitch first can help. You can then check alignment and adjust before final stitching. Avoid using wonder tape as it can stiffen the fabric.

This session was focused on addressing various sewing concerns and introducing our exciting new Amanda Jacket project, which we’ll start working on in the coming weeks.