Fagoting
Hi All!
Welcome again (if you're returning). Today I'm going to write about a sewing technique called fagoting, and show you my first attempt at it (6 process photos). Basically, fagoting is seaming together two fabrics with horizontal stitches that look like ladder rungs. I think people use it in heirloom sewing, but I'm not sure yet. I still have to learn the specifics of heirloom sewing.
I wanted to apply the fagoting technique to my doll's dress. I want the lace trim to stick out and be a very special part of the garment. To begin, I placed my two fabrics right sides together and sewed on the Elna serger with the lace side up. I used a 3-thread flat-lock stitch. When I use my serger, I play with the tension to get it just right, before I sew the project fabric.
After I finished sewing the seam, I gently pulled the fabrics apart to expose the horizontal stitches (ladder rungs). In this image, the medium blue thread is my edge finish for the purple fabric. The pale blue thread is the "ladder rungs" I'm looking for.
Now, if I were to leave the stitching alone, the trim would appear just as it is in this next image. My stitching is a little wavy yet, even though I sewed slowly. I want to cover up as much of my wave as I can.
I also want more fashion flare, but soft flare, because that looks too boring for me.
I really love the look of bows and lace together (and butterflies, hearts and flowers...
). I decided that a bow will deliver the perfect gentle edge I'm looking for; it will emphasize the eyelet lace. In the following image, I am weaving the same 1/4" ribbon that I used for her waist band through the 3-thread flat-lock stitch.
Now the bow is finished! It's absolutely what I wanted. It hides my wavy stitch line and it adds the softness to the lace. She still needed shoes, and I chose felt instead of crocheting them. I had a pattern that came with the doll, so I used that. I just cut the pattern out of felt and folded it in half to sew the seam along the bottom of the bootie. It was incredibly easy.
Here she is in completion. My goodness I love her! She is going to be my sewing buddy and hang out with me on my sewing table. Take note of her shoes. I added the same blue ribbon to make bows on them. The felt didn't stay extremely well and I have a kitty that has already fallen in love with batting the the doll's arms and legs around. I wanted those booties to stay on as long as possible, so I wove the ribbon in a way that would tighten the circumference.
What did I learn today? I learned, after the doll dress was completed, that I could have used a 2-thread flat-lock to limit bulk of the fabric within the fagot seam.
Well, that's it for this entry. I tried an old technique and loved it. I am sure that I will use this method in future projects.
My next focus that I will journal about is going to be about creating a beaded handle or strap for the shoulder bag that I recently sewed. Until then...
Happy Sewing!
Welcome again (if you're returning). Today I'm going to write about a sewing technique called fagoting, and show you my first attempt at it (6 process photos). Basically, fagoting is seaming together two fabrics with horizontal stitches that look like ladder rungs. I think people use it in heirloom sewing, but I'm not sure yet. I still have to learn the specifics of heirloom sewing.
I wanted to apply the fagoting technique to my doll's dress. I want the lace trim to stick out and be a very special part of the garment. To begin, I placed my two fabrics right sides together and sewed on the Elna serger with the lace side up. I used a 3-thread flat-lock stitch. When I use my serger, I play with the tension to get it just right, before I sew the project fabric.
After I finished sewing the seam, I gently pulled the fabrics apart to expose the horizontal stitches (ladder rungs). In this image, the medium blue thread is my edge finish for the purple fabric. The pale blue thread is the "ladder rungs" I'm looking for.
Now, if I were to leave the stitching alone, the trim would appear just as it is in this next image. My stitching is a little wavy yet, even though I sewed slowly. I want to cover up as much of my wave as I can.
I also want more fashion flare, but soft flare, because that looks too boring for me. I really love the look of bows and lace together (and butterflies, hearts and flowers...
). I decided that a bow will deliver the perfect gentle edge I'm looking for; it will emphasize the eyelet lace. In the following image, I am weaving the same 1/4" ribbon that I used for her waist band through the 3-thread flat-lock stitch. Now the bow is finished! It's absolutely what I wanted. It hides my wavy stitch line and it adds the softness to the lace. She still needed shoes, and I chose felt instead of crocheting them. I had a pattern that came with the doll, so I used that. I just cut the pattern out of felt and folded it in half to sew the seam along the bottom of the bootie. It was incredibly easy.
Here she is in completion. My goodness I love her! She is going to be my sewing buddy and hang out with me on my sewing table. Take note of her shoes. I added the same blue ribbon to make bows on them. The felt didn't stay extremely well and I have a kitty that has already fallen in love with batting the the doll's arms and legs around. I wanted those booties to stay on as long as possible, so I wove the ribbon in a way that would tighten the circumference.
Well, that's it for this entry. I tried an old technique and loved it. I am sure that I will use this method in future projects.
My next focus that I will journal about is going to be about creating a beaded handle or strap for the shoulder bag that I recently sewed. Until then...
Happy Sewing!
How special that ribbon looks with the eyelet! Very cute doll.