Zipper time, everyone! If you’ve decided to use the recommended invisible zipper in the side seam, then go ahead and install it according to the package directions (or check out a tutorial. There are a lot out there, so this is certainly not the only one!). I cannot recommend enough that you should also have an invisible zipper foot to install it with; it is very frustrating and nearly impossible to get a smooth and professional installation otherwise.
Me? I prefer regular, old-fashioned zippers; particularly on dresses like the Swing Dress that harken back to another era. Today I’ll be covering my favorite insertion method for a side-zipper-opening: the dress placket zipper. It’s the “overlap” style that you see on a lot of dresses from this era; I originally taught myself how to do this method from a 1940s sewing manual!
Do keep in mind though that you need a 5/8″ to 3/4″ seam allowance to work with. If you don’t, you can easily add additional width by seaming on narrow strips of fashion fabric to your side seam allowances over the zipper opening (on this pattern between the bodice and skirt side seam notches)–which is perfectly period and I’ve seen suggested in several sewing books of the era.
Prepare your zipper prior to sewing it in. Does it need to be shortened? Also press the zipper flat with your iron at a low-heat setting. Most zippers over a certain length come folded up in the package, and you want to get those creases out!
To begin with, baste the seam opening using large stitches so you can easily remove them later (on my machine I usually set it to a 4 or 4.5 stitch length). Press seam open.
such beautiful images this week from my favorites! be sure to click to visit their sources.
How is your weekend going? Our’s has been filled with spring training games (as in pro-baseball… the upside of living in Florida is that so many teams come down here in the late winter!), making tasty fish tacos, and spending time working on a few sewing projects. Including (of course!) the Swing Dress. I had planned having the zipper insertion post up late yesterday, but discovered I misplaced my zipper… So a trip to the fabric store was in order! I’ve been working on that and should have a post up tomorrow on adding the zipper to the dress. We’re nearly done, fellow sew-alongers–isn’t it exciting?!
I also wanted to mention that Christine of What’s Up Cupcake interviewed me for her “Featured Friend Friday” (try saying that five times fast!) and it’s online. Thank you, Christine!
I’m sure most of you have heard about the tragic earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. Andrea posted some great links on how to help.
Just added this gal’s blog to my reader last week–and I’ve really been enjoying her 30 for 30 challenge (may have to take that up in the spring)!
Ever wonder what some secrets to a great outfit photo are? Tara shares some excellent tips: part #1, #2, #3 and #4.
I think I may have found the perfect solution (cheap too!) for my habit of forgetting to water houseplants.
I love Sal’s list of all the uses for fashion tape–handy stuff worth having in one’s vanity and purse!
Babies are still a bit down the road for Sailor Husband and I, but Alyson’s blog has me making lists of super-cute stuff for future little ones…
You know those days when you either don’t have time to make something complicated for dinner, or just don’t feel like it? (I know people tease me about being a “domestic diva”, but there are evenings I just don’t feel like dealing with the fuss and ensuing clean-up!) Wednesday was one of those situations: I just didn’t feel like dealing with dinner. But considering the past few evenings Sailor Husband had been working late and come home to leftovers pulled from the freezer, I thought it’d be a nice treat to give him a fresh-made dinner.
So I just made up something as I went along, based on what I had in he house and also something that didn’t take long (or create mountains of dishes!). As luck would have it, the final dinner did turn out pretty well–something that I plan on keeping in my back pocket for future quick dinners! It’s a little sweet, a little spicy and quite tasty over couscous (or brown rice)…
2T Dijon mustard (or less if you don’t like things spicy)
2T honey
4T low-sodium chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
2t olive oil
1lb shrimp, thawed, cleaned and prepared to cook
pepper to taste
2 cups broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces (fresh is best, but frozen and thawed works in a pinch!)
Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Mix together mustard, honey and broth in small bowl. Whisk together until well-mixed and set aside.
Add oil to heated pan and allow to warm up for a few seconds. Add shrimp to pan and cook until just cooked-through (I used large shrimp, so it was about 4-4 1/2 minutes). Add fresh-ground pepper during cooking process.
Once shrimp is cooked, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add thawed broccoli and cook for 1 minute or until broccoli is heated-through bust still crisp.
Add mustard mixture to pan and toss well with shrimp and broccoli. Turn heat down to medium and allow to heat-through and thicken a tiny bit about 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately with rice our couscous.
Do you have any super quick, favorite meals? What are they?
I’ve been dreaming about doing a series of thrifting-centric videos for my YouTube channel for quite some time–and I finally did it! I wanted to share with you my first effort, which is just an introductory video. I plan on doing lots of other videos like “show and tell” and tips on how to thrift. Between all the comments with great ideas and my own imagination, I am so excited about the possibilities of sharing my love of finding second-hand treasures with you!
Also as a side note: after the landslide of requests (thank you!!!) for a tutorial on the hairstyle in yesterday’s post, I’ve put that on my to-do list. So look for something about a week from now.
I am so delighted to be introducing one of my newest sponsors today–Jojo’s Retro and Vintage! Josette, the lovely gal behind the Etsy shop, has a fantastic eye for vintage finds of all sorts. She told me that her goal with the shop is to offer “high quality, hand selected vintage and retro clothing and accessories. Whether you’re a vintage purist or a modern gal who likes add a bit of retro to her current fashions, you’re bound to find something at my store. I’ve always loved vintage and have been wearing and collecting it for over 25 years. I have a formal education in fashion history, theatrical costume design and studio art. I’ve worked in a variety of fields including design, buying and tailoring and find that my work here on etsy brings together the best of my passions and skills. Now I’m a SAHM to two wonderful little boys. I love my life, work hard on my shop and strive to only send out the best vintage at reasonable prices.” target=”_blank”>JoJo’s Retro and Vintage! Josette is the lovely gal behind this shop, and she sure has an eye for some fantastic vintage finds! She told me that her vision for her shop is to offer “high quality, hand selected vintage and retro clothing and accessories. Whether you’re a vintage purist or a modern gal who likes add a bit of retro to her current fashions, you’re bound to find something at my store. I’ve always loved vintage and have been wearing and collecting it for over 25 years. I have a formal education in fashion history, theatrical costume design and studio art. I’ve worked in a variety of fields including design, buying and tailoring and find that my work here on etsy brings together the best of my passions and skills. Now I’m a SAHM to two wonderful little boys. I love my life, work hard on my shop and strive to only send out the best vintage at reasonable prices.”
The variety of items she stocks her shop with is impressive (and tempting for anyone drawn to vintage clothing!): from shoes to smart 50s suits and mod 70s day dresses. She also has a great selection of sewing patterns for those inclined to take up the needle and thread (or just collect them!). Looking through her shop is inspiring and I have spotted a bunch of things that have gone on my Etsy wishlist for springtime.
Be sure to stop by the Jojo’s Retro and Vintage shop and take a look around–there are so many beautiful things I couldn’t fit into this post! Josette also wanted to let me know that she is offering all Elegant Musings readers 10% off your purchase if you use the code CASEY10 during checkout (good through the end of March). If you happen to snap a picture of an outfit you wear featuring a piece from her shop, she loves to do a little showcase on her blog! Be sure to also check out her Twitter page as well for updates on new shop additions.
A heartfelt thank you to all my lovely sponsors who help keep this blog running! If you own a shop that you would like to advertise here, please see my sponsors information page and shoot me an email for current rates.
