I promised you the holiday version of the Morton Salt Girl dress today and here it is. The only thing I did differently was to lengthen the skirt to make it knee-length and add a ribbon sash. Otherwise, it is the exact same dress.
Purple was the requested color, so I obliged with a dark purple (plum) taffeta and a light purple satin for the lining and ribbon sash around the middle.
And even more lucky for me, the day we did the photo shoot she had just returned from a day of “hair, make-up and nails” at her cousin’s birthday party–so she was a happy camper taking pictures.
And the best part of the dress— it twirls like a dream.
The other thing I promised today is a tutorial on how I sew in the invisible zipper so that the lining and main fabrics both have beautifully finished seams.
I start with a dress that is open all the way up the center back seam as you normally would with an invisible zipper, but has the lining sewn in at the neckline (like you can see in the picture below).
And then here’s what I do…..
One thing I forgot to tell you is that after you baste that zipper in, is to cut off all that excess zipper fabric above where the zipper teeth start.
Now you are ready for Step 2.
Now flip your lining to the inside of the dress and press well.
Repeat for the left hand side of the zipper and then sew up the rest of the center back seam as you normally would.
Happy Wednesday!!!
PS–If you are looking for the pattern and tutorial to make the dress go HERE.
PPS–Linked here.
Absolutely stunning! I know I’ve said this a billion times, but your designs are such a nice change from the usual girls stuff I see. I love that they are so age-appropriate and glitzy and fun without being too mature or ‘flashy.’ This dress is incredible! Want to make one for me? 🙂
Aha! I alsways wondered how to do it properly. Thank you for the helpful tutorial. The dress is beautiful!
This dress is so pretty! I like how you did the invisible zipper too… I do mine before I sew the neckline, but this would work just as well. =)
Awesome tutorial! One question, I usually attach the lined bodice to the skirt first. How do you handle the bottom of the lining piece?
I did go back and serge the bottom of the lining piece so it has a finished edge….or you could use hem tape or bias tape to make sure it looks nice.
Or I sometimes just line the whole bottom too (but I didn’t have enough fabric on this one.)
I did go back and serge the bottom of the lining piece so it has a finished edge….or you could use hem tape or bias tape to make sure it looks nice.
Or I sometimes just line the whole bottom too (but I didn’t have enough fabric on this one.)
I LOVE this!! I totally want one in my size!! And I will be referring back to this post whenever I get up the nerve to try another zipper.
Beautiful. I love the color and the pin tucking!
Thank you so much for showing us all the simple way to install an invisible zipper with a lining! AND no handsewing! I tried this method last night and it worked beautifully. Also, that is a gorgeous dress. I love it all: the colour, the pintucking, covered buttons, swingy skirt, you name it. Does the pattern come in grown-up sizes? lol
How do you then finish the lining around the waist seam?