One challenge with a vintage pattern is a scarcity of directions - even when the pattern is a repro, Much was assumed about the skill of the seamstress. This dress has many handkerchief leaves in its hem, with no direction as to how to finish them. A couture dress is distinguished by the hand sewing that goes into its production, so I decided hand rolled hems would be the most appropriate for this gown. This is a painstaking process, but very rewarding in the end.
First, the raw edge is folded over and held in place with a tiny running stitch. Then, a running zigzag is made, taking only a few threads into each stitch.
Here's another look in case my big thumb was obscuring your view.
After you've made a half dozen or so of these stitches, gently pull on the thread and it magically rolls into a beautiful rolled hem, which looks like this from the wrong side:
And, like this from the outside of the garment:
I'm super happy with the look of this, but there are a lot of them to do! Hope your week's sewing is going well!
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