Your Orchid dress is so close to being finished! We’ll wrap up our sewing by constructing the waistband casing and then attach the bodice to the skirt.
PREP WAISTBAND CASING
With the right sides together, sew the waistband center back seam, and press the seam open. Prep the waistband casing hem by stitching a baste stitch 3/8” (1 cm) along the unnotched long edge.
Use this stitch line as a guide to fold and press the unnotched long edge under, wrong sides together. Fold the short
edges, wrong sides together, at 3/8” (1 cm) and then another 3/8” (1 cm). Press in place.
SEW WAISTBAND CASING
Pin the wrong side of the waistband to the right side of the skirt, creating a casing, and match the raw edges. Match the notches of the waistband casing to the center back and side seams of the skirt. Edgestitch the waistband casing at the top and bottom to keep it in place.
ATTACH BODICE TO SKIRT
Turn the bodice wrong side out. With the right sides together, pin the bodice to the skirt, matching the notches and the side seams. Sew the waistline. Before finishing the seam, do a fit check to make sure the bodice length is correct. Finish the seam.
TURN THE DRESS RIGHT SIDE OUT
Turn the dress right side out and remove any visible basting stitches. Press the waist seam towards the bodice.
THREAD THE ELASTIC DRAWSTRING
Use a safety pin to thread the hem drawstring. Adjust the drawstring. Once the drawstring is even, you can stitch at the
center back to prevent the drawstring from pulling through the casing.
ADD AN OPTIONAL SNAP AND FINAL PRESS
*Optional: You can add a hidden snap at the center front.
You are finished! Give your Orchid dress a final press!
Orchid Sew Along Posts: Getting Started | Prepare Bodice, Sew Darts and Ties | Sew Front and Back Bodices | Sew Side Seams and Sleeves | Sew Pockets and Side Seams | Sew Mitered Corners and Hem Skirt | Sew Waistband Casing and Attach Bodice to Skirt
