Versatile dress great for a mother-to-be

Dear Vicki: I’m going to have a baby in the fall! I think I can get through the winter with my normal clothing, but summer will be different. So I would like a suggestion. I love dresses, so find me a pattern that is not too difficult because I’m pretty new at this. P.S. My mom is going to sew also, and she can help me. Thanks. Natalie D.

Dear Natalie: I think this pattern, Burda 6956, will give you a few different looks. You will probably love that it is a pullover, so no zipper is needed. You can make it into a dressy gown or a cute summer dress. It can be sleeveless. It can also be just a top to wear with shorts or pants. So it does just about everything. Good luck!

Dear Readers: I think I have answered this problem before, but it comes up often, so here goes again:

Dear Vicki: I recently made a pair of pants out of silk shantung (you might call it duppioni). I have noticed that the seams seem to be pulling and the fibers are separating. This is terrible, and I need help

that is, if there is any solution at this point. Jessica M.

Dear Jessica: Silk is fragile, and you should have underlined the pants before making them. I usually would use silk organza as the underlining, but a rayon or batiste would also be acceptable.

Cut your underlining fabric the same as your fashion fabric, and baste the two layers together carefully. From this point on, you will treat the two as a single layer. The extra fabric will stabilize your seams and help to avoid this problem. Of course, also don’t make the fit too tight, which will cause it to pull at the seams.

A possible solution for your problem now would be to unpick the weak seams and press strips of fusible interfacing to the seam areas. It could be that the pressing will help to minimize the separation and keep it from getting worse.

Each week I share a reader’s tip and thank him or her with a set of 100 fine English hand-sewing needles. This week the tip is from Jean Boyd, of Phillipsburg, Kan. She writes:

“A very useful tip given to me by fellow quilters is to make your own Best Press for pressing quilt blocks. Use 3 ounces of plain vodka and 24 ounces of distilled water. It gives your fabric the same great feel at a much lower price.”

A note from Vicki: This is not starch, so if you want to stiffen up the fabric, this won’t do that.