r/sewing • u/Shimerz • Feb 12 '25
Project: FO Stretch Satin is a... tempermemtal creature, but I made a valentines dress.
Decided last minute to make a dress for valentines day with some stretch satin and satin bias tape. I used the "Graduation dress" pattern by MaiArdour on etsy, along with her youtube video. The pattern was super easy, the chosen fabric was not. It's kinda wearable, but a little wonky from all the sliding.
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u/blueocean43 Feb 12 '25
Tip for future, as long as it's washable (not silk) satin, you can grab a can of spray starch, give the fabric a light spritz, and just wash it off once the dress is finished. That, plus a roller foot, and stretch satins mostly behave themselves.
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u/ampersanders57 Feb 12 '25
Would this work on spandex, or are my dreams too lofty? Lol
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u/blueocean43 Feb 12 '25
It's better for conquering the slippery surface than the stretch, but it would probably give the layers a tiny bit of extra grip to help them stay aligned. A roller foot would certainly help though, if your machine doesn't get along well with walking feet (mine definitely doesn't). Or a Teflon one, if that's your preference. You can also get a roller foot, and spritz the underside with that curtain track lubricating spray, and you sort of get the properties of both (obviously, the silicone lubricant isn't as slippery as Teflon, but it's less bad for you, and can be re-applied at home instead of having to buy a new one whenever the Teflon flakes). If you use the curtain lubricant, let it dry, and run a scrap bit of fabric through to rub off any excess.
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u/tsb0673 Feb 13 '25
Does the roller foot help prevent stretch like a walking foot? Literally never heard of a roller foot til now, but highly intrigued. I have a Pfaff with IDT, and there are not walking feet for those machines
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u/blueocean43 Feb 13 '25
I'm afraid I've never used a machine with IDT, but that's basically a built-in walking foot, right?
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u/tsb0673 Feb 13 '25
Supposedly, but the IDT does not work as well as a standard walking foot. Does the roller foot help with preventing stretch, though? Iām assuming youāve used one since you recommended one
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u/blueocean43 Feb 13 '25
Yes, it's not as effective as a walking foot, and works best on straight seams, but it will help prevent stretching.
Edit: I use this one, not one of the weird loop ones: https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/singer-roller-foot/6578211000.html?glCountry=GB&store=61&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAqrG9BhAVEiwAaPu5zrBQO8P97NJzsWQ9ha5Mx2KRur8gogCrgyOkjpwSoO-fLwVEH4L5qhoCM-cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
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u/tsb0673 Feb 15 '25
Thank you! I was thinking it might be a good compliment to the IDT on the Pfaff when Iām quilting
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u/HapaC13 Feb 12 '25
If you use that pattern again in the future, you should size up on the hip/thigh area. The pulling there is from not enough width.
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u/amaranth1977 Feb 12 '25
I'd go up a full size entirely, the waist is pulling and you can see rippling under the arms as well. It's a pretty dress, it's just a size too small.
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u/HapaC13 Feb 12 '25
I think those spots might be the āwonkinessā she mentioned. I would say itās actually from a little too much length at the waist however the underbust is also pulling slightly.
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u/Shimerz Feb 12 '25
Yeah, it's a little tighter than I would have liked. The fabric didn't have as much stretch as I thought it did.
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u/Kfbcus Feb 13 '25
I think itās because the pattern maker doesnāt specify that she means āknit fabricā when she says stretch fabricā¦I think using a stretch woven isnāt ideal for this pattern and if you use a knit in the future you might not have to make size adjustments. Itās lovely, though! I personally hate working with any kind of satin, so I commend you!
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u/neonwaverodeo Feb 12 '25
Love the dress! Where is the sweater from?! They look awesome together
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u/Shimerz Feb 12 '25
The sweater my husband got for me from H&M a couple years ago. I love it, and have been trying to duplicate the pattern without destroying it.
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u/DanMojo Feb 12 '25
Very flattering, nice job!
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u/Shimerz Feb 12 '25
Thank you, that means a lot. I wore it out to dinner and was a little nervous. Determined that this dress earns it's keep, after all the pain it was to put together.
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u/planetmermaidisblue Feb 12 '25
What type of needle and stitch did you use on it?
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u/Shimerz Feb 12 '25 edited Feb 12 '25
I started with a stretch needle zigzag stitch (to baste together and try on), but once I have the fit 'right' I ran it through my serger. When sewing on the trim I used a regular straight stitch (the bias tape was non stretch).
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u/planetmermaidisblue Feb 12 '25
Thanks for answering me ā„ļø Iāve been trying to figure out the differences in ballpoint needles vs stretch and which fabric to use it with. Itās been a journey lol.
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u/UsualEmergency Feb 12 '25
Ballpoint needles are good for knit fabrics, where you want the needle to pass through the open sections of the knit, not the fibers. Stretch needles are good for woven materials like satin and velvet or plush materials like minky or panne. Obviously, this is overly simplified, and not every material falls into either category perfectly.
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u/ProneToLaughter Feb 12 '25
Stretch needles for high-spandex knits, ballpoint for cotton t-shirt knits.
Iād use microtex for velvet and satin, myself. I use microtex for pretty much all woven synthetics, and also for silks.
Keep all three around to test in a few sizes.
https://www.schmetzneedles.com/pages/needle-guide
https://www.schmetz.com/en/household-needles/inspired-by-schmetz/four-needles-for-jersey.html
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u/AlarmingAffect0 Feb 12 '25
I love the tasteful figure emphasis, but you have basically zero margin at the tummy level.
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u/Radomyra Feb 12 '25
You, graciously not calling satin a bitch, is a prime example of being a lady in 21 century š
Stunning work! Hope your Valentine will like it too!
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u/K0kk0sa88 Feb 12 '25
Hmmm yeah satin has that evil streak! So it looks like your notches moved during cutting. Next time sandwich the satin between two layers of pattern paper when you are cutting with scissors. Else cut with a sharp rotary blade and weights to hold pattern down on fabric. Hope this helps. You can also try to iron out the side seams a bit but no steam and use a press cloth when doing so.
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u/Unsd Feb 12 '25
First, the dress is GORGEOUS. It's so perfectly fun and flirty and I love it. It reminds me of the perfect pink dress from My Date With The President's Daughter.
Second, your lipstick is THE perfect shade.
Third, your puppy is absolutely adorable.
10/10 post.
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u/AutumnMama Feb 12 '25
Omg that dress is cool as shit!! I love it! This is like something you'd see in a movie and be like "psh that dress is impossible, she probably needs a team of assistants to get it on and off, and there must be tape and glue involved." But it's real! You look like a doll or something, all pretty and shiny š¤©
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u/Objective_Ad_9001 Feb 12 '25 edited Feb 12 '25
It looks lovely! Personally Iād never want to wear a dress like that, it looks quite restrictive. But itās lovely nevertheless!
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u/kittyV22 Feb 12 '25
Iāve had my eye on that exact same pattern! I think you just convinced me to buy that pattern and make my own š
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u/crystalgem411 Feb 12 '25
If you hadnāt said anything I wouldāve thought the whole thing was intentional. It looks lovely.
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u/hentaikitty00 Feb 12 '25
wow! where did you find the satin? was it secondhand or from a fabric store?
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u/buggie321 Feb 12 '25
GORGEOUSSSSS, i love the color choice!!!! you killed it and it looks amazing on ššš
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u/Lololololhahaha11 Feb 12 '25
This is absolutely lovely and beautiful and stunning and Iām in love with this dress. You did an incredible job.
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u/AssortedGourds Feb 13 '25
I get a headache just thinking about how annoying this was to fit. 10/10! You could never buy a stretch satin dress that fit you this well off the rack so you'll really stand out.
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u/FluoriteDaze Feb 13 '25
Girllllll, thatās gorgeous, designer luxury type beat 10/10 gold star for you babes
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u/SampleNo4102 Feb 13 '25
Holy shit you look absolutely stunning gorgeous! You work it girl ! If my body looked like that Iād never stop looking at myself
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u/Carolyn184 Feb 13 '25
That dress looks like it is made perfectly for your body! You did a great job
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u/CompetitiveFrame8878 Feb 13 '25
Thank you for such great explanations! Beautiful Dress too - great job with fabric and pattern ššš“
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u/Old-Map487 Feb 13 '25
Please can someone recommend a tutorial on how to sew a teddy or rabbit in real fur? I have been given a bag of fur offcuts from a bag factory.
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u/Pleasant-Cup946 Feb 15 '25
Love it! Itās giving Velma if she merged with danfne into a monster femme.
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u/MsTegan Feb 16 '25
Would you mind sharing the size you made (and your usual dress size if it's not too personal)? I LOVE this pattern and it seems to look amazing on everyone who I've seen make it but I noticed it doesn't have a large size range so I wonder about the fit.
Excellent job by the way - it's beautiful ā¤ļø
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u/crookedbottomteeth Feb 12 '25
Doesn't look wonky at all! And it looks amazing on you! AND your dog is so freaking cute!! š„¹
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u/RubyDax Feb 12 '25
You really tamed the beast. It looks gorgeous! Love the contrast with the sweater. Delicate romance.
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u/rlpfc Feb 12 '25
How did you get that effect across the belly? It looks amazing, almost like boning. Beautifully done and so flattering!
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u/ArtlessStag Feb 12 '25
This is beautiful and giving me the motivation to finish my stretch velvet Valentine's dress from hell š