Embroidered Collar and Sleeves

How do I loathe thee? Let me count the ways. . .

Seriously.

First there’s the design transfer, then you have to outline the top and bottom of each scallop, and add a row of padding stitches in between. Next come hours and hours of tiny blanket stitching. And then, after several days of the most careful sewing a person can do, you must face down imminent disaster as you take scissors to the whole thing and attempt to trim away exactly enough fabric that you can’t see any edges peaking out from the right side, whilst simultaneously managing not to cut any of the tiny stitches on either side.

Even I know this is insanity at its finest.

It brings to mind the story of the man with a hammer. He hits himself in the head over and over again until a wise friend asks why. The answer? Because it feels so good to stop.

Well, I’m here to tell you something. Scallops do not feel good when you stop. Because no matter how hard you try they are never, ever, perfect. And if you’re stupid enough to do them in a contrasting color, everyone will see this straight away.

So why do I keep banging myself with a proverbial hammer? Because so many of Bleuette’s patterns include scalloped edges. If you sew for her, you can’t really avoid them. You just have to get on with it.

You do the best you can.

And you remind yourself that the true root of charm is often imperfection.

To follow along as Bernadette’s wardrobe grows, click HERE.

To see posts for just her back to school ensemble project, click HERE.

2 thoughts on “Scallops, How I Loathe Thee!

  1. I have also recently started sewing for Bleuette. And as you, I have been hitting myself with a hammer. I discovered, however, that contrary to the actual instructions, if I cut the fabric first, I get a much crisper edge. The buttonhole stitch lays much flatter—rather than having been created above the fabric, it actually rests on the edge. And I avoid that horrible feeling when trying to use the scissors to get into that tiny corner and get that one last stubborn thread cut from between the scalps. I cut away only a couple of scallops at a time, so that the edge remains crisp and un-frayed. This works best on a tight weave like poplin, but I have also used it on a Batiste with fair success.

    1. I’ve tried the cut-first method as well. As you say, it works better on some fabrics than others! I find it frustrating that antique whitework looks so perfect. What was their secret, anyway? LOL!

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