Nelle Sew Along Series: Ric Rac Details and Serger-less Seams

Today is Day 4 of the sew along. We have a guest blog post by Lisa of Lemon drop and Lollipops. She does her Nelle without serging the seams and it looks pretty cool. I also love her little ric rac details!


I do my sleeves first and I cut them out a little wider than what the pattern says, because I fold them under twice since I don't have a serger. Fold once, press, then fold again. After they are folded I lay the ric-rac on top and sew it down as I go, sewing the ric rac on and stitching the sleeve at the same time. Do this exact thing to the other sleeve.

 

Attach the sleeves to the front bodice. Now attach to the back bodice and sew the side seams of the bodices. I just do a zig zag to enclose the raw edge. Repeat for the other side. Now onto the bias tape.

 Put that raw edge inside of the bias tape. Sandwich it in there really well. 

I stitch it down on the right side of the dress. Hard to explain, but this helps me keep it looking neater and giving it a good straight line. It puckers a little, but it's not noticeable at all when it's on.

I press the seams towards the sleeves. I think some stitch this part down. I do not. I just eyeball this part. Fold it down and press. Doing the top stitch right around the neck. Now it's ready for the elastic casing to be made.

I must have skipped a picture, but fold a little bit under, press and then sew it down, leaving an opening for the elastic to slide through. Put elastic through, sew it together and then close the opening. The top is done.

Be sure to head over to Lemon drop and Lollipops on Facebook and tell her thanks for this tutorial! Don't forget to share your finished items with the group on FB or with #nellesewalong on Instagram for a chance to win a free Brownie-Goose pattern!