more than one way to skin a cat

Lil' Nina has been getting a chance to go through her paces, as our plucky heroine sends all kinds of fabric under the presser foot...

 My current project for both SWAP 2013 and the springtime 6PAC is an "overall-pinafore", being made up in some very heavy black denim, of the sort usually intended for workman's gear. My usual stitchery technique for everyday pinafores were causing difficulty with the machinery, so 'twas needful to come at the edge finishing from a different approach...

 
from the outside, this looks as expected

Normally the raw edges would be either flat-felled (if seams) or turned twice and stitched down (if edges), but that was creating overly thick and stiff seams and edges, and causing tension problems even with a jeans needle in the machine. It has only been a year or two since the serger came to live here, and a bit of inspiration, and a trip to get some dark thread cones, the problem was (hopefully) solved. Instead of all the folded and stitched seam/edge finishing, the raw edges (either single or doubled) have been serged and then edgestitched (with foot #5 ♥) and topstitched. My hope is that the serger finishing will prove to be durable commensurate with the fabric; don't yet have the experience over time to know...

from the inside, the serged edges are visible.

Once this is completed I will be about a third of the way towards completing SWAP. I have a grey knit top cut out, that will be getting some fairly simple painted embellishment in black. I intend to try again with the peplum blouse, in a black cotton/linen; the peplum flare will be reduced and there is an exceptional set of grey and black lampwork glass buttons made for me by my beloved pal Ariadne that have been waiting for a home... When those two are finished, it will be time for the indigo/brown half of SWAP, and some of the indigo part will be the rest of my springtime 6PAC.

springtime 6PAC		2013 SWAP
	pinafore	black vertical pique
black denim	pinafore	black denim
	top	black reverse applique
	top	black linen
black floral print	top	black floral print
	bridge*	??
	pinafore	brown twill
indigo denim	pinafore	indigo denim
	top	brown knit
indigo knit	top	indigo knit
brown/blue + Liberty	top	brown/blue + Liberty
??	third layer	n/a

for the purposes of my sewing plans, in concordance with my personal style, pinafores count as "bottom" pieces, as they are worn in lieu of pants or skirts...

*Bridge is a garment that is exactly that, as specified in the SWAP 2013 rules: "The 11th garment should be a jacket or other piece that coordinates with both collections, both in style and color." 

**Third layer can be a jacket, a cardigan, a vest, or some other garment...