A COMPLETE COURSE IN DRESSMAKING
first marking the center-front and center-back.
Turn the edges at the closing of the waist, baste and press them. In a case of this kind, often the edges are left unstitched. If this leaves a raw edge at the back of the hem, either turn a very narrow hem on the edge (one-eighth inch) and stitch it before turning the edge at the closing or bind the edge.
Place the neck facing on the wrong side of the waist with the edges even at the neck. Stitch around the neck and turn the facing onto the right side of the dress. Turn under the raw edges of the facing and press them. Then, stitch around the outer edges of the facing, except where it extends beyond the edge of the waist at the closing. Here, line the end of the facing which projects beyond the waist.
Gather the lower edge of the waist. The easiest way of finishing the waistline is with a casing and elastic. This does away with the troublesome finish of a grosgrain belt and placket closing.
Draw up the gather threads in the waist and lining just a little, throwing fullness at the sides of the fronts and back. The waistline must be kept sufficiently large so that the waist will go over the head when the
[ 78 ]
