Dressmaking 
 
 
   (2) Finishing the Bottoms of Waists.-The raw edges of 
the bottom of a waist may be finished by overcasting, by 
binding, or by hemming. Whatever method is chosen, the 
effort should be to have the edge flat, otherwise it will 
form a-ridge which will show throu~gh the skirt. 
   (a) Overcasting, if closely done, may be used for all 
kinds of materials. It is done in the usual way. 
   (b) Binding is more satisfactory for waists which are not 
to be laundered. It is done as for seams. 
   (c) Hemming by hand or machine may be used for all 
kinds of material. A narrow hem should be made. 
  If the material is heavy it is frequently a good plan to 
finish the hem by a row of running stitches or to make only 
one turning and to stitch that twice-once along the fold 
and again close to the raw edge to keep it from fraying. 
  If, as is usual, the underarm seams are stitched together 
only i" below the waist line to give sufficient spring over 
the hips, their free edges should be finished to correspond 
with the bottom of the waist. 
   (3) Making and Attaching Belts.-In attaching a belt to 
a waist there should be a row of stitching, by hand or ma- 
chine, at the top and bottom edges of the belt; this will 
keep the gathers of the waist in place and the belt flat. 
  When the waist fastens in front and the belt is to be at- 
tached only from underarm seam to underarm seam the 
stitching should be carried across the belt at these seams 
and along both edges between the seams. If it has been 
made of material its free ends should also be finished by a 
row of stitching close to the edge. The method of fasten- 
ing such a belt may be a matter of choice; it may be the 
correct length and finished with a hook and eye; it may be 
cut a few inches too long and be fastened by pinning or 
tying. When the waist fastens in the back the belt is 
generally cut the correct waist measure and is attached to 
the waist its full length. It may be fastened as desired. 
  (4) Making and Attaching Collars and Collar-Bands.- 
Collars should be as nearly finished as possible before be- 
ing permanently attached to the waist, as this prevents 
handling the entire waist while the work is going on. 
 
 
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