After cutting all layers to length, they needed to be scalloped along one edge. This has taken me most of the week to do as it is a very time consuming process. I would pin the paper pattern into place, cut around the scallops, line up the pattern with the previous scallops, cut again, and so on until this process was complete.
At this point the layers have been scalloped but they still need to be connected as most of the layers are in two or three pieces because of how long they are. To do this, the sections of each layer are sewn one atop another with right side facing wrong side, not right sides together or wrong sides together as is usually the case. Sewing them like this is the best way to reduce bulk.
On layer 7, a channel is sewn widthways. This is done to hold a hoop wire that will be inserted when the tutu plate is near completion. The reason it is sewn onto the seventh layer and not any other is because this is the centre of all the layers and it helps to hold everything flat.
When the layers eventually get sewn to form the tutu plate, it is important to know where the quarter points are. For this, the layers are all thread marked at the midpoint and quarter points by knotting loops of thread into the tulle so that it is easy to identify them.
Tulle can be gathered in different ways and will alter the finished look of the tutu plate. Because this is our first time making a tutu, we have been shown the easiest method to do so. To start with, the ends of the top thread and bobbin thread are held tightly so as not to lose them and the needle is lowered into the machine. When the needle is raised again, there should be a loop from the bobbin thread that is pulled with it. While still gripping the end of the bobbin thread, this loop can be pulled out and used to gather the tulle. Placing this loop into the groove at the centre of the machine foot, it can be sewn over with a zigzag stitch, securing it in place and acting as a piping cord to make the gathering adjustable.
All this fabric takes up a lot of space now gathered and I don’t want to obstruct the tables for anyone so I have rolled and pinned them so they can be placed out of the way. I have also pinned labels to each layer, otherwise it would be hard to identify them at this stage.