I know I’ve done my dash on pineapple prints but I had some leftover and made another dress using my basic block pattern. Why? Because I wanted to use it before this blistering heat ends and to perfect an me-made ‘all in one’ facing.
Last week a few of us were after talking all things sewing and facings came up in the conversation. I decided to watch the Great British Sewing Bee series 2 because it’s finally showing on pay tv. Series 2 used a basic top with an all-in-one facing is challenge 1 episode 1. So on the weekend I experimented with an all-in-one facing on two types of fabric.
Here are my me-made drafted facings for my basic block dress.
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| The seams are built into my basic block pattern. |
The key points for making smooth finish are clipping the seams and understitching close to the seamline.
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| I’ve used a cotton fabric because I ran out of this pineapple linen print. |
It felt good to see I can sew facings. I do shy away from facings.
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| Can you see the pocket sewn on the outside of the skirt? |
As we’re currently living in hot, humid conditions, this sleeveless linen dress with last minute pockets is going to be worn quiet a bit now.
Then I decided to try and all in one facing on a stable knit dress using McCalls 6559,
The finish on the neckline and arms worked nicely.
Mr V likes this dress better than the green pineapple romper.
There was excess fabric at the waist so I pinched it out and formed a french dart.
The centre back has shaping to overcome my sway back. The back still needs a back dart at the waist because there’s a bit more excess fabric under the arm.
It’s good to reuse handy sewing skills like all-in-one facings again. And that’s all my pineapple fabric for this Summer.
As Nicole mentioned below, Jenny has a great bunch of posts about all in one facings. You have to enjoy her well-written, well-photographed posts.
Update: Go to the Sewing Directory for details about the Great British Sewing Bee Series 3.
velosews 
Very interesting. I am a fellow facing hater so you will have to show me this system. And no – I can't see the pocket. Great job.
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Nice pineapples! I have to track down series 2 of GBSB, I'm still making facings my friend, encouraged by the series: http://rennous-oh-glennus.tumblr.com/post/61394071586/make-facings-your-friends-part-2-the-complete
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More awesome pineapple print clothes – you're too cool for school Maria! I think series 3 is starting soon over in the UK, isn't it? I'm looking forward to it! I love all in one facings – I like that they don't flip out the way separate neckline and sleeve facings can, and I find them easier to make neatly than bias bound edges :).
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You are all about the pineapples maria! So hot right now! All in one facings are great. I always wonder why I don't use them more often.
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Jen's posts are thorough and fun to read. She's so engaging. Thanks for the heads up Nicole.
I know you'll nail facings soon
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It's been fun.
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Pineapples are great for the summer!
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The next series starts 5 Feb in the UK. I can't wait to see the new series.
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Love the pineapples. I love the idea of all in one facings , I avoid facings and mine never seem to sit flat no matter what I do so I think I will give this a try.
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Really cute dresses! I love your pineapple theme. Haven't made anything sleeveless for a while, but when the weather here warms up, I'll definitely give the all in one facing a try!
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All in one facings are so neat compared to the separate ones. I haven't done them for years as a lot of my sewing has been with knits. But I have filed the reminder away for the next sleeveless woven garment I make. I also love french darts they are my favourite type of dart for a dress. In fact I have sleeveless woven dress with a french dart lined up for my next MAGAM. How about that! 🙂
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Pretty dresses and can see them paired with blazers as the temps cool down.
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So funny to hear about your blistering heat while I am experiencing real feel temperatures today of below zero here in the Northeastern part of the U.S.! Anyway, love both your dresses. Your all in one facings turned out beautifully.
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More pineapples, truly I'm amazed there are so many prints out there! I've found I have only been successful with all in one facings when the fabrics are very stable, I have cut accurately and not fiddled with the fit along the way (i.e. never!), otherwise I get puckers everywhere! You got a good result with yours.
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I avoided all in one facings too – for a very long time.
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Thanks Ann. I hope you have fun when you do.
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That's a good idea. Thanks Sheila.
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You're right Allison. Both of these fabrics are fairly firm and I was able to avoid puckers.
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Oh. I hope you stay warm Tomasa.
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You're too good!!!
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