Cassiopée – turn gathers into ruffles

Under @paul_et_paulette’s crafty mind the gathers of I AM Cassiopée have become exposed frills for an even more romantic touch. A very simple hack. So simple in fact that it’d be foolish not to explain how to sew the same ruffles on your Cassiopée dress. Fancy it? Follow the guide.

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The seamstress

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« After school, I would always go to the studio to pinch some buttons and pieces of fabric. Sewing brings back childhood memories. »

Follow Pauline on Instagram : @paul_et_paulette

I am Pauline, I am 33 and I live near Rennes in France with my husband and our 2 boys. I have started 6 months ago as a seamstress for Breizh Club.

I have always been sewing. I started sewing clothes for my dolls when I was 5 or 6. My parents had a prêt-à-porter company that my grandparents founded. I was meant to be sewing. I have been lucky to learn everything from my dad. He especially taught me to always try to do better. After school, I would always go to the studio to pinch some buttons and pieces of fabric. Sewing brings back childhood memories. It is my Proust’s madeleine.

That’s also why I am very demanding on the quality of the patterns I sew. Patterns from I AM are great in that respect. No guesswork.

Once I have tested a pattern I like to modify it to create a new one. That’s what I did with Cassiopée. I have transformed it into a top with visible ruffles. As I used double gauze it gives it a romantic finish. You can easily push this hack further and use contrasted thread and even a golden one…

SUPPLIES

If you are using an overlocker to finish the raw edges of the skirts you will not need extra supplies.

If you are using a sewing machine, to finish the raw edges of the skirts, you will need a rolled hem foot.

You’ll also need the Cassiopée dress. If you don’t have it yet, you can discover it now.

CUTTING THE FABRIC

Prepare the pattern pieces and cut the fabric as shown on the layout plan.

SEWING PROCESS

Sew step 2 and 3 following the instructions on the booklet.

SEWING THE BODICE TO THE SKIRTS

Sew step 2 and 3 following the instructions on the booklet.

Finish the top edge of the front and back skirts with a rolled hem stitch either using an overlocker or using a rolled hem foot on your sewing machine.

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Using a thread matching your fabric (as it will be visible on the finished garment) sew a row of gathering stitches at 3/8’’ from the top of the skirts.

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Place the wrong side of one skirt on top of the right side of the front bodice so the top of the skirt overlays the bottom of the bodice by 3/4’’.

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Pin in place at the extremities and at the center front. Pull the gathering threads in order to get the same width on the skirt than on the bodice. Even out the gathers and pin in place.

Carefully sew on top of the gathering stitching line.

Repeat the same steps for the back of the dress.

FINISHING

Carry on sewing steps 5 and 6 as indicated on the booklet to finish your Cassiopée dress.

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Your Cassiopée dress is now finished. Share your make on social media tagging @iam_patterns #iamcassiopee et #iampatterns

If you don’t have the pattern of the I AM Cassiopée dress, you can discover thenow.

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