(added photo) I struggle sewing arm holes. Is there a trick to it?

[divabeadz]

Bumping b/c I added a photo of the finished dress.

[vatblack]

I don't know why the pattern would ask you to double fold on an arm hole? In my experience it is nearly impossible to get those flat. As some pp have said, bias tape etc. is much better. for the dress you made, a nice facing would have rounded it off nicely.

It is a very cute dress and I think you managed to do better with the double fold and stitching that I would have done. I really would have pulled out the bias tape or made my own from the dress' cloth.

[divabeadz]

Originally Posted by vatblack I don't know why the pattern would ask you to double fold on an arm hole? In my experience it is nearly impossible to get those flat. As some pp have said, bias tape etc. is much better. for the dress you made, a nice facing would have rounded it off nicely. It is a very cute dress and I think you managed to do better with the double fold and stitching that I would have done. I really would have pulled out the bias tape or made my own from the dress' cloth.

I've done 3 of her patterns so far and every one has had the same instruction on the arm holes (all 3 are sleeveless designs) -

fold your each of your 2 armholes in by 1/4” and press. Fold another 1/4” and press again. Sew.

And each time I've had a heck of a time getting the arm holes smooth without any puckers. This is the 4th item I've sewn from her patterns.

Thank you It's the child modeling it that makes the dress so cute

[MomdeIsla]

very cute and I love the belt!

[TheGreenBee]

If your fabric is cut properly on the grain then it should fold and press smooth. If you are having a problem I would go straight back to seeing basics and make sure that your fabric is straight grained and that your pattern/cutting is properly on grain.

Cute dress though. I like it.

Really, I can spell. It's my phone that can'tSent from my iPhone using DS Forum

[3lilbubs]

Yep, I was going to say exactly what michelle said! Also- when you press a critical seam like that, lift the iron straight up and down, don't drag it across the fabric.

[divabeadz]

Originally Posted by TheGreenBee If your fabric is cut properly on the grain then it should fold and press smooth. If you are having a problem I would go straight back to seeing basics and make sure that your fabric is straight grained and that your pattern/cutting is properly on grain. Cute dress though. I like it. Really, I can spell. It's my phone that can'tSent from my iPhone using DS Forum

I honestly pay no attention whatsoever to the grain and always wondered why this was an important step - I figured as I got a little better at sewing, I'd someday learn why this was necessary.

With that said, I do believe this particular garment is, because of the pattern in the fabric. It's got a pattern of horizontal and vertical lines I had to pay attention to in order to keep the lines going in the right direction. But yeah normally, I go in any old direction to maximize small cuts of fabric since most of my fabric is 30+ years old - mom gave me a crate full of fabric from her early quilting days in the 1970's - some of it's cheap fabric, but some of it is beautiful quilt fabrics that drape nicely.

[SootheBaby]

The dress is adorable! The belt is a great touch.

[photocowgirl]

That dress and your little one are precious! Love!