Drawstring Chemise Aggravation

[NicoleBridget]

I can't believe I'm stumped by this.  I make half-decent nobility gowns AND hats for Pete's sake and yet this stupid drawstring chemise confounds me!  I'll try to describe my problem and hope that someone can shed some light.  I swear, I have very little sewing common sense despite the things I'm able to turn out.  What's that called...idiot savant?  Right now I just feel like an idiot...

I'm trying to make a drawstring chemise that will ruffle above the drawstring.  I folded over the neck opening front and back pieces and sewed them down for the drawstring channel, no problem, but then I try to fold over the shoulders and it just. won't. fold. down.

What the devil am I doing wrong here?  This is so aggravating!  I thought chemises must be the easiest thing in the world to make and yet I sit with this pile of linen in my hands, completely befuddled.  Any thoughts?  Should I take some pics or try to describe better?

[bellevivre]

take pics cause I'm not sure what you mean- is it a round or square neck? how are the sleeves attached?

[Genievea Brookstone]

What I have done is attached bias tape around the neck, right sides together, sew at the top edge,  then folded it to the wrong side and sewed it down and used that as my casing for the drawstring.

Do you have the front and back attached  at the shoulders already?

[amy]

I've hit this wall too when rushing to zip one together.   It is becuase the inside of the curve is so much shorter than the stich line you are creating.   I agree with Genieva that you will need to create a casing with a facing piece.  Bias tape works or a piece of same fabric since it will show in the ruffle.  Just retrace the top couple inches of your pattern pieces to make it.

[NicoleBridget]

Thank you guys.  It is as you said Amy, one bit is shorter than the other.  I wanted to just be able to fold the top  over and make the ruffle and channel that way because I bought a chemise from Chivalry Sports that does that.  But boy is it turning out to be a pain!  I did some reading up and I'm trying to wrap my brain around something called "ease" which might help.  I also seam ripped my Chiv Sports chemise to try and get to the bottom of this and it looks like they gathered the outer layer around the corner seam but somehow got the inside to lay flat.  I guess I'll keep fiddling...

[Marietta Graziella]

I totally feel your pain!  I can sew all kinds of great pieces but this most simple of garments causes me fits of frustration!  The neck line/gather/elastic/ whatever.  Ugh!

[Kate XXXXXX]

Pop over and take a look at this discussion, and see how we solved it in several different ways...  http://sewingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2828

[Betty Munro]

OMG - that link is DEVINE!!!  I LOVE the added lace so much I want to make a new chemise ... NOW.
I saved the pictures to my hard drive.  I saved the link as a favorite.
Excellent sharing of information! 

[Kate XXXXXX]

Glad to be of service!  Making the sample was fun.