Sharon Sews

I found the instructions to this "Charming Hostess Apron" on the inside of a vintage package of Wright's Seam Binding. I guess it pays to actually open those packages up and use the trims! I' participating once again in an apron swap - this time it's the Holiday Hostess Flirty Apron Swap - and posted this on that blog also. This posting is for those of you who might not be aware of that blog. Let me know if any of you get around to sewing this one! If you click on the photo you'll be taken to my Flickr account where you can download a larger image. Happy Sewing!

Most important thing to do today: Vote. Hubby and I lined up at our polling place at 6:15 a.m. and were done voting by 7:15 a.m. How long was your wait?

Two thumbs up for this dress. It passed the "is it comfortable enough to wear all day at the office" test with flying colors. As I mentioned in my previous post, I experienced some frustrations while sewing this dress, but it had nothing to do with the pattern itself. It was a combination of my fabric choice (a soft cotton/lycra knit with a lot of stretch) and the fact that I cut the bodice in a size 12 even a I was thinking perhaps I should cut a size 10. Turns out I should have begun with a 10. The actual construction was a breeze. The pattern instructions are thorough, well-written and well illustrated. I didn't find mention of it in the instructions, but I stabilized the shoulder seams with stay tape. Sometimes I use clear elastic for this step, but the stay tape happened to be closer to the machine. The bodice is self-lined, gathered with the right crossing over the left. All of those fabric layers are sewn to the midriff section, which also consists of two laye

*** EDITED 11/3 **** added link to blog post with additional details on the construction as well as more photos of the dress including me wearing the dress. McCall's 5752 Palmer/Pletsch pattern The perfect knit dress The dress is done! I'm so glad I didn't attempt to complete this in time to wear to the wedding last weekend as it would have been a major frustration. That being said, the frustration had absolutely nothing to do with the pattern. It was my choice of knit fabric combined with the fact that I originally cut and sewed this dress one size too large. The pattern itself was great - lots of fitting tips, clear instructions and pattern pieces that fit together properly. I'll post a full review tomorrow as I still have lots of it's-Sunday-night-and-I-have-to-get-this-stuff-done- bef ore-the-work-week-begins chores to finish before heading off to bed.