Tutorial: Add Corset Inspired Ties to the Cinnamon Slip
Add a little bit of ooh-la-la to the back of your Cinnamon slip with these corset-inspired ties! No special skills required – just some bias tape and pretty ribbon. We’ll start out by doing a few pattern alterations, then skip the straps in lieu of pretty satin ties that will crisscross down the back to end in a tied bow.
You can repurpose this method on just about any top – I can imagine some cute strappy summer dresses and tops!
Materials
Here’s what you’ll need in addition to what’s on the pattern envelope:
- 5 yards of 1/4″ ribbon
- about 1.5 yards of 1/2″ double fold bias tape [I used metallic gold Wrights]
- 2 strips of lightweight fusible interfacing, 3/4″ wide and about 20″ long
Pattern alterations
The pattern pieces involved are the bodice back [D] and the skirt back [E]. Find those and cut them in half along the center. [The skirt already has a center line, but the bodice you’ll need to fold in half to find the center.]
Working with one of each, mark the 5/8″ seam allowance line on the lower edge of the bodice and the upper edge of the skirt and fold back. Tape together.
Draw a line through the center of the strap marks, angled down and ending 8″ down center back.
Cut along the line through both pieces.
Untape them and flatten them out. Now we need to add seam allowance. Add 1/4″ to the newly cut edge of the back bodice.
Add 1/4″ to the newly cut edge of the back skirt, and 5/8″ down the center back.
Sewing
1) Cut. Cut two of each of your newly altered pieces. Be sure that you cut mirror images. Cut all other pieces normally, but skip the strap pieces.
2) Staystitch. Staystitch the top edge of both back bodice pieces.
3) Assemble backs. Sew one back bodice to each back skirt, being sure to match lefts and rights.
Note: I used french seams because I was working with a sheer fabric, but they’re not necessary for this tutorial.
3) Interface. Working with one back unit, fuse a 3/4″ wide strip of lightweight interfacing to the wrong side of the angled edge.
4) Attach ribbon loops. Cut enough 2″ pieces of ribbon to make loops approximately 2″ apart down the length of the the angled edge.
Fold the ribbon in half and pin along edge with the raw edges aligned. The top one should go just below your under stitching, and the bottom one should end about 2″ from the end of the edge. [This helps account for the 5/8″ seam allowance of the center back.]
Stitch across the ends of each at a scant 1/4″ to secure.
5) Attach bias tape. Cut a length of bias tape a bit longer than the angled edge. Starting at the stay stitching, open one side and pin it to the slip right sides together and raw edges aligned.
Stitch in the fold closest to the edge to attach.
6) Top stitch bias tape. Fold the bias tape around to the wrong side, folding it so that you see just a bit of the slip fabric on the wrong side. Pin.
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Top stitch along both edges of the bias tape.
If you’re feeling frisky, add a decorative stitch. Who’s gonna stop ya?
7) Sew center back seam. Pin two back pieces together along center back, right sides together. Make sure that you are lining up the top edges really well, as this will form the “V” shape at the bottom of the opening. Stitch from top to bottom at 5/8″, finish and press.
8) Finish slip. Construct the rest of the slip according to pattern instructions, skipping the straps.
9) Add ribbon. Cut the remaining ribbon in half. Sew the end of one ribbon to the inside of the back bodice, just outside the top loop. Use a very short straight stitch.
Thread the ribbon through the front bodice, then to the back and crisscross through loops. Repeat with other ribbon on other side.
Tie ends in a bow. Trim ends if needed.
Viola! Put on your slip and do a fancy dance.
Comments
Grace
February 23, 2015 #
This is utterly gorgeous. I am definitely going to attempt this modification someday!
Miss Crayola Creepy
February 23, 2015 #
This is really really beautiful, Devon!
Devon
February 24, 2015 #
Thanks Erin!! :]
gabrielratchet
February 23, 2015 #
i like that a lot…very nice.
Marsha
February 23, 2015 #
Love this!! Going to print pattern out ASAP!!!
Katie
February 24, 2015 #
That decorative star-stitch on the binding is just the prettiest thing ever. Love!
Carolyn
February 25, 2015 #
This is such an excellent idea and beautifully executed Devon!