A corduroy dress is not a wardrobe staple for every woman who likes to show off in fashionable clothes. It should not only fit perfectly, but proper care of it is also a very difficult task.
Nevertheless, corduroy dresses remain popular regardless of the season or time of year. Some, following the path of least resistance, simply buy such products, following the latest trends, while others set these trends by making dresses themselves. With due diligence and a competent approach, this will not require excessive effort, and the result can exceed even the wildest expectations.
Sewing a corduroy dress: recommendations and step-by-step guide
The peculiarity of this fabric is the high percentage of synthetic fibers, viscose and cotton in its structure, since it is mainly manufactured from these materials.Accordingly, its surface is a relief texture, which in terms of practicality is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it looks at least original and catchy, on the other hand, it will be somewhat more difficult to sew from corduroy yourself than from any smooth fabric.
Cutting: preparation and implementation
The first step is to decide on the type of corduroy dress you want. The most convenient option is a model that does not have straight seams along the lobar. Doing them yourself will require a lot of time and diligence, but each such element on the dress greatly affects its overall appearance.
As soon as the type of future clothing model is determined, you can begin preparing the fabric. To do this, you need to iron it from the wrong side, but you should not be overzealous - light touches and steam treatment will be quite enough. This is quite an important point, since corduroy that has not been properly treated is subject to significant shrinkage. You should also not use the iron “dry” on corduroy - this will cause creases to appear on the surface.
Before you start cutting, you need to understand in which direction the pile lies on the fabric. This is done simply: you need to run your palm along the front side of the corduroy along the edge. Smooth sliding will mean that the pile is directed downwards, but if a slight resistance is felt during the movement, it means that it is directed upwards.
The cutting itself is carried out in different ways, the most common method is “fluff” down. It is relevant for fabrics with thin and wide scars; the length of the fibers does not play a special role.All pattern pieces should be placed on the table so that they lie in the same direction everywhere.
Ready-made corduroy dress patterns
Sewing corduroy parts for a product is usually done using a sewing machine. When using it, you need to focus on the following parameters:
We should not forget that the features of the pattern are largely determined the size of the future dress, so its values for non-standard media data will be slightly different:
Sewing
Sewing corduroy parts for the finished product is usually done using a sewing machine. When using it, you need to focus on the following parameters:
- materials preferred for use: ordinary cotton threads with polyester;
- size of needles suitable for sewing - No. 70 and 80;
- The stitch length value should be set to average;
- You should try to keep the paw pressure to a minimum.
Important tip: A small lining should be made between the dress and the rack of the sewing machine. For this, an ordinary sheet of paper or a piece of cardboard will be enough. An additional layer will ensure greater stability of the fabric when sewing and prevent shifts in different directions.
Advantages and disadvantages of a corduroy dress
Like any wardrobe item, a corduroy model is not a universal garment; it is not suitable for every woman. If we evaluate from a practical point of view, then such a product can have the following characteristic features, as well as advantages and disadvantages:
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How to care for a corduroy dress
The most suitable attribute for ordinary cleaning of the product is a brush, which will also need to be pre-moistened. Alternatively, if there is stubborn dirt on the fabric, you can use a sponge. Cleaning corduroy using tape has also become widespread.
You will have to remove dust and dirt from such a dress before each wash - otherwise these elements will get wet and stick to the clothes during the process. Optimal mode washing – delicate, and the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees.
Interesting to know: the more expensive and better quality the corduroy fabric, the more it will require careful care. For items made of thin material, a delicate washing mode is provided: they are pre-soaked in cold boiled water diluted with ammonia for 25–30 minutes, then rinsed in a soapy solution, wrapped in a towel and hung out. There is no point in twisting or letting them out - this may affect their shape and structure in the future.
Corduroy is dried exclusively in a “natural way” - things are hung in a cool place until the moisture dries completely. It is strictly not recommended to dry them in a washing machine, as well as to hang them on warm radiators for this purpose.
Corduroy items should be ironed inside out and slightly damp, using the steam iron setting. In this case, it is undesirable to touch the surface - the properties of steam will be quite sufficient.
When finished, such a thing will need to be combed - you will need to move the brush in the direction opposite to the location of the villi. A brush with small or medium-sized bristles is ideal for this.
Conclusion
A DIY corduroy dress is not as difficult to sew as it might seem. At first glance, especially if you have at least a little experience in sewing products yourself. However, even without it, it’s enough just to adhere to popular recommendations in order to get something that you won’t be ashamed to wear. Don’t forget about care - without it, a dress can very quickly lose its original luster, just as the wearer’s appearance in it will no longer be original and attractive.