You can use a free-motion embroidery foot on your machine if you're not comfortable sewing without a foot. It'll help hold the fabric down while you sew too.
Agreed. Stitches aren't as well formed without a foot. Plus, it's unnecessary dangerous. After all, you'll be manipulating the fabric for a long time - free motion isn't necessary fast. As other people have surely noted, it's easy to drop the feed dogs, which is necessary for proper free-motion. Still, it's a cool project.
That warning about not sewing your fingers is really important! I used to work in a bridal shop and we used this method to sew on appliques all the time. I got careless and looked up while I was talking to a coworker - and ended up with a trip to the emergency clinic. Wasn't fun, boss freaked out, do not recommend.
@@raraavis7782 Ehhh I think I went into shock a little bit. I was really calm about it. I still have a pretty obvious scar and it hurts sometimes in water that's too cold or hot. It would've been worse if the needle had hit the bone but I got lucky.
When I was first trying to figure out how to do the metal nose strips in my masks, I accidentally glanced the needle over finger and thought I severely crippled myself for a flash second lol. It just was a pin prick (literally lol) but I told my obaachan (Japanese grandma) who used to be a seamstress and she shook her head at me lol, she wasn't mad, just disappointed. Don't disappoint obaachan, watch your fingers lol.
Gorgeous up cycle! I have never seen anyone sew without a foot before....all I could think of was I would definitely sew my fingers😳. You are a brave sewist👍🏻
One of the prettiest transformations you've posted to date. Elegant and tasteful; using a totally black zipper elevates this dress to the next level and allows the skirt details to shine!!!
Beautiful design as usual! Just wanted to say thank you because watching your videos since a few years ago has taught me English (: it also keeps me motivated for fashion design! Cheers from France!
Do you have any recommendations for French channels? I've been doing Duolingo for years after taking French classes in high school and I want to become more fluent and would love something to watch!
@@freckledspeckled5406 If you're into sewing and DIY you could try Couture Débutant, there are also Happy as a Bee (it's in French despite the name) and Petit Citron
@@freckledspeckled5406 oh and if you're looking for one where they speak very clearly I'd recommend the Mondial Tissus channel (it's a fabric store but somehow they make tutorials too) Good luck!
Would 100% be interested in this dress! I am in a cold area for Christmas, and the corduroy would be an excellent warm fabric. I love the length and pattern and shape! It's perfect!
It would be cool to see what the previous owner thinks about the redesigned dress. It seems like it was well loved to have holes and a worn out zipper.
Beautiful dress! Makes a lovely holiday dress! I did not know that you could sew without a foot attached. That is amazing! It certainly does take the tedium out of sewing the appliques on the skirt! Thank you for sharing!
I love the idea of the applique on the skirt to cover the holes. Just a tip, my sewing machine came with a free hand quilting foot. This also gives you the possibility to freely move around your fabric to sew it down, but also helps press the layers together to get a neater stitch. Also, lower the feed dogs.
This dress looks wonderful on you! What a beautiful upgrade! I love that you sewed the applique on with your machine. What a huge time saver! God Bless all!!!!
Yessss please use an embroidery foot/darning foot! Also an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric flat or you can put interfacing on the back of the dress where you want to sew then cut excess after. These will both work in keeping the fabric flat just depends on how thick the material is. Love the dress 😍🤩
Oh April I have a dress some what like that and yes it has holes. It is so beautiful thank you know I can fix it because like you said mine also looks awesome on me as I'm am slightly fully in the hips and it drapes so wonderfully you can't tell because it hugs my waist. You are a lifesaver! I was fixing to chunk it out. Glad I didn't. Love all your videos! I'm your biggest fan!
Wow you might not know it but what you're doing is free motion stitching. This is what we quilters use to stitch our final product with all those shapes. Your machine probably has a setting for this. It involves disabling the feed dogs instead of taking off the foot. Cool how you found a way to do this without knowing the "right" way. Love your show, keep up the good work!
So pretty! When I was a kid about 50 years ago, my mom taped all of the appliqué she wanted to sew onto a dress she made. I remember how proud she was at coming up with the idea. She sewed all of the appliqués down and then found out that each stitch broke the take and it didn’t just peel up. She had to use tweezers and pick out thousands of pieces of tape. I’ll never forget how disappointed she was! She didn’t stop appliqueing though, she just went back to basting down pieces.
Oh my gosh, this is so creative! I've never really considered adding appliques to cover holes-when I think appliques, my brain thinks of childish patches. But this is gorgeous. Gonna up my thrift game.
Might be easier to keep the sewing foot on but lower the feed dogs for free motion embroidery. The foot will help keep the fabric smooth while sewing, while the lowered feed dogs don't interfere with moving the fabric around with your flat hands.
Love your work. The floral is so gorgeous... It's beyond words! The finished dress looks breathtaking. But I'm just not sold on it all being done on corduroy. Maybe I'd have to see it in real life, but corduroy on that dress just throws me off.
Watching this vid today and had a little laugh at during the sewing montage portion, April was wearing snowflake printed pj pants and a comfortable hoodie just like mine! Guess I’ll get my sewing machine out, if I can set the damn thing up haha!
Oh my gosh, the idea of not using a foot was actually what needed. I'm currently working on some hand embroidery which will be added to a dress, which I was dreading sewing to the skirt
Could you perhaps do another video where you make a dress with the same silhouette/pattern from scratch with satin material. Absolutely love your channel. My aunt and I made my medschool gradball dress following your Brie Larson Oscar dress. It came out awesome. Can't wait to wear it in a few weeks' time
With your talent you should be working in costume design on movie sets. Another great idea for transforming old clothing. Miss seeing you thrift for diy projects.
There's a special foot for darning you can use ;) much safer. And make sure to lower or cover the feet dogs (depending on machine model). Run a test first, to get used to this first, if you never did it before.
You can use a free-motion embroidery foot on your machine if you're not comfortable sewing without a foot. It'll help hold the fabric down while you sew too.
That was my thought when I saw her remove the foot. And to lower the feed dogs so they dont interfere.
Also my thought! I'd be afraid that I'd get puckers without having a foot. Just like free motion quilting
I was thinking the same thing. I might even throw it into a hoop just to keep things taught
Agreed. Stitches aren't as well formed without a foot. Plus, it's unnecessary dangerous. After all, you'll be manipulating the fabric for a long time - free motion isn't necessary fast. As other people have surely noted, it's easy to drop the feed dogs, which is necessary for proper free-motion. Still, it's a cool project.
Yesss. The darning foot will protect our fingers from getting stabbed accidentally too
That warning about not sewing your fingers is really important! I used to work in a bridal shop and we used this method to sew on appliques all the time. I got careless and looked up while I was talking to a coworker - and ended up with a trip to the emergency clinic. Wasn't fun, boss freaked out, do not recommend.
Ouch. Bet, it was really painful, too 😬
@@raraavis7782 Ehhh I think I went into shock a little bit. I was really calm about it. I still have a pretty obvious scar and it hurts sometimes in water that's too cold or hot. It would've been worse if the needle had hit the bone but I got lucky.
ohmy 😭 this is out of context but i aspire to work at bridal shop too someday haha
Oh my! Thanks for sharing ur story. Hope ur finger gets even better with time
When I was first trying to figure out how to do the metal nose strips in my masks, I accidentally glanced the needle over finger and thought I severely crippled myself for a flash second lol. It just was a pin prick (literally lol) but I told my obaachan (Japanese grandma) who used to be a seamstress and she shook her head at me lol, she wasn't mad, just disappointed. Don't disappoint obaachan, watch your fingers lol.
Judging from the zipper, construction and silhouette , it looks like it’s a 1950/1960s dress. Super cool thrift find!
Gorgeous up cycle! I have never seen anyone sew without a foot before....all I could think of was I would definitely sew my fingers😳. You are a brave sewist👍🏻
One of the prettiest transformations you've posted to date. Elegant and tasteful; using a totally black zipper elevates this dress to the next level and allows the skirt details to shine!!!
The applique makes the dress look better than the original! You have such creative ideas. Well done.
Beautiful design as usual! Just wanted to say thank you because watching your videos since a few years ago has taught me English (: it also keeps me motivated for fashion design! Cheers from France!
That’s so cool! Thank you for sharing this comment with me ❤️
Do you have any recommendations for French channels? I've been doing Duolingo for years after taking French classes in high school and I want to become more fluent and would love something to watch!
@@freckledspeckled5406 If you're into sewing and DIY you could try Couture Débutant, there are also Happy as a Bee (it's in French despite the name) and Petit Citron
@@freckledspeckled5406 oh and if you're looking for one where they speak very clearly I'd recommend the Mondial Tissus channel (it's a fabric store but somehow they make tutorials too) Good luck!
@@atelieralumine merci beaucoup! I'll check them out!
This is such an easy creative fix!! Its like when we use patches in jeans but this is a way fancier version haha loved it April!! Happy Holidays hehe
I know right! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Would 100% be interested in this dress! I am in a cold area for Christmas, and the corduroy would be an excellent warm fabric. I love the length and pattern and shape! It's perfect!
I would never have thought to take the presser foot off for sewing the applique! Good idea!
What a creative solution to breath new life into this beautiful dress!
It would be cool to see what the previous owner thinks about the redesigned dress. It seems like it was well loved to have holes and a worn out zipper.
What a great hack! I would have never thought to take off the whole foot assembly! Thanks!
Gorgeous! The applique brings it to life!
The petticoat does really help the look too.
That's so pretty and glamorous!
Love the slightly more 'dramatic' makeup with the pink lipstick as well, very pretty.
ive been watching this channel for a while- just gotta say im so proud of how far you’ve come April! always a pleasure
Beautiful dress! Makes a lovely holiday dress! I did not know that you could sew without a foot attached. That is amazing! It certainly does take the tedium out of sewing the appliques on the skirt! Thank you for sharing!
I love the idea of the applique on the skirt to cover the holes. Just a tip, my sewing machine came with a free hand quilting foot. This also gives you the possibility to freely move around your fabric to sew it down, but also helps press the layers together to get a neater stitch. Also, lower the feed dogs.
Wow! Gorgeous. Turned out beautiful. April, you are so talented!
This is perfect for a black dress that I love and I have some holes as well that I didn't know how to fix. Thank you April!
This dress looks wonderful on you! What a beautiful upgrade! I love that you sewed the applique on with your machine. What a huge time saver! God Bless all!!!!
I’ve loved your work since I stumbled on you 4yrs ago👌❤️😍🔥
Yessss please use an embroidery foot/darning foot! Also an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric flat or you can put interfacing on the back of the dress where you want to sew then cut excess after. These will both work in keeping the fabric flat just depends on how thick the material is. Love the dress 😍🤩
Wow it’s such a simple idea but the outcome is gorgeous!
The creatvity and skill of this is insane!
Truly unique idea! And, thanks for the idea of removing the sewing foot. Who knew...😆
I love this look! I think this idea is great for giving a plain dress some real flair!
What a wonderful way to breathe new life into an old item! It's absolutely stunning and that petticoat at the end really made the whole thing pop.
Oh April I have a dress some what like that and yes it has holes. It is so beautiful thank you know I can fix it because like you said mine also looks awesome on me as I'm am slightly fully in the hips and it drapes so wonderfully you can't tell because it hugs my waist. You are a lifesaver! I was fixing to chunk it out. Glad I didn't. Love all your videos! I'm your biggest fan!
wow!! so impressed with the free-sewing trick for appliques!
Ok, but can we take a moment to appreciate those heels, like girrrrrl!! 💖💖
SUCH a gorgeous dress - I personally hate applique application, but yours is beautiful! Perfect choice for the style
I really love these vintage/retro transformations
SO PRETTY! 😍 Love all of your creations!❤
Super like!! It was a beautiful dress to start with but now it's stunning.
What a beautiful way to fix that lovely dress.
Beautiful work as always! Thank you for the no sewing foot tip. That worked great!
Girl you’re looking really glowing and stunning
I doubt I would fit it but would definitely purchase it! What a beautiful revival!!!
Wow you might not know it but what you're doing is free motion stitching. This is what we quilters use to stitch our final product with all those shapes. Your machine probably has a setting for this. It involves disabling the feed dogs instead of taking off the foot. Cool how you found a way to do this without knowing the "right" way. Love your show, keep up the good work!
So pretty! When I was a kid about 50 years ago, my mom taped all of the appliqué she wanted to sew onto a dress she made. I remember how proud she was at coming up with the idea. She sewed all of the appliqués down and then found out that each stitch broke the take and it didn’t just peel up. She had to use tweezers and pick out thousands of pieces of tape. I’ll never forget how disappointed she was! She didn’t stop appliqueing though, she just went back to basting down pieces.
Fantastic job. Love that you were able to revive the dress and make it even more beautiful.
It just occurred to me that your channel name has your name, April, backwards! Love that lol! :D
Wow, and here I was trying to figure out what the channel name meant for years :D Thanks :D
@@0martina00 😄
Mind.blown
OMG. You're right!
omg, that's true
Oh my gosh, this is so creative! I've never really considered adding appliques to cover holes-when I think appliques, my brain thinks of childish patches. But this is gorgeous. Gonna up my thrift game.
I love your vision!! You sewing the applique was so satisfying. The dress turned out amazing!
Might be easier to keep the sewing foot on but lower the feed dogs for free motion embroidery. The foot will help keep the fabric smooth while sewing, while the lowered feed dogs don't interfere with moving the fabric around with your flat hands.
That's what I've always done - safer to fingers too.
Absolutely gorgeous and I 💖 that it has pockets. I work in Jewelry and luv being able to dress up but still be able to keep things with me.
Love your work. The floral is so gorgeous... It's beyond words! The finished dress looks breathtaking. But I'm just not sold on it all being done on corduroy. Maybe I'd have to see it in real life, but corduroy on that dress just throws me off.
Wow so elegant and sophisticated! I love your design style!
👌🏽💥😍 amazing work April, keep them coming! 👏🏽 Dress is beautiful
Watching this vid today and had a little laugh at during the sewing montage portion, April was wearing snowflake printed pj pants and a comfortable hoodie just like mine! Guess I’ll get my sewing machine out, if I can set the damn thing up haha!
Looks awesome! I love the way you repurpose clothing!
That's gorgeous April. I did flinch a few times where I thought you were close to sewing on your finger. LOL.
Love the new life you gave this one. Impressive
OMG, it is beautiful and gorgeous! Looks like an evening dress or for any special occasion!!!
Super cute! You did a lovely job on this thrift fix!
This is such a great transformation! You are so creative!
Love this dress so much! So elegant!
Very striking dress! Can use a free motion quilting foot, drop feed dogs and lower pressure on foot if option is available on your machine
Oh my gosh, the idea of not using a foot was actually what needed. I'm currently working on some hand embroidery which will be added to a dress, which I was dreading sewing to the skirt
Great job, April! I love your creations but this is my most fave of all. Looking forward to see more of this. Happy Holidays!
Could you perhaps do another video where you make a dress with the same silhouette/pattern from scratch with satin material.
Absolutely love your channel. My aunt and I made my medschool gradball dress following your Brie Larson Oscar dress. It came out awesome. Can't wait to wear it in a few weeks' time
THE POCKETS! So important! You did great placing the applique- you are brave...one of my fingers would have been sacrificed.
Before you cut off the excess applique on the bottom, it looked super cool and edgy. But loved the final product here too!
It's stunning!!! And feels like a whole new dress. Glad to see you safe and still taking precautions.
Great tip for sewing appliqué.
Job well done. Great idea to cover with lace and to remove the presser foot.
You could use foot for free motion quilting :) its jumping around so it allows movement in all direction but it keeps fabric steady when you sew.
This looked so easy to do but I bet it would take me daysssss to create! It looks so beautiful on ya!
With your talent you should be working in costume design on movie sets. Another great idea for transforming old clothing. Miss seeing you thrift for diy projects.
I love the dress, I love the look on you and I love your eye makeup!
Stunning transformation! Thanks for the idea & tips.
Simply beautiful
That dress is gorgeous!!
Perfect! I love the dress! Genius with the foot! I didnt know you could do that.
Gorgeous! You did an amazing job as always.
Wow. This looks like completely different dress. So beautiful and holiday season appropriate
I do creative ideas with old clothes for my daughter. She likes it ☺️
And now you have beautiful holiday dress
You have such an amazing talent for vision and creativity. Thanks for sharing your work and passion with us.
Very nice redo. I like watching your work/process. It's interesting, though, that the dress was made out of corduroy.
That was wonderful! I even didn't know I can sew with no foot!!!
Beautiful job, as usual. Looking good for the holidays!!
You make it look so easy, but I know it isn't. Sign of a pro!
Lovely!I like the way it moves.
This will be such a cute wedding dress
You are amazing April!! Good job!!
I’m a grandmother and I find you amazing
Really beautiful! Your ideas are so creative and I just love watching you create as you go. Thanks for sharing. Be safe and happy holidays.
You are just so talented! 😊 What a beautiful dress you made it into! 🥰💕🥰
Absolutely Beautiful. Youthful elegance you have patience as well as talent.👋👋👋you get the 👑.
What a gorgeous dress transformation!! It feels so festive :) I would definitely consider purchasing it!!
Sooo Beautiful! Looked like good corduroy too. Thanks for sharing your video.
looks gorgeous and elegant
All dressed up and nowhere to go. Gorgeous dress, April. Stay safe at home with your new hubby.
That dress is great for New Year's
I would definitely purchase so unique and beautiful additions
This looks amazing!! I am so not ready for the footless sewing though, it'd definitely go through my hand a few times 😂😂
There's a special foot for darning you can use ;) much safer. And make sure to lower or cover the feet dogs (depending on machine model). Run a test first, to get used to this first, if you never did it before.
What a beautiful thrift fix. I love it.