Ether Dress - Hot tips for threading the rope and getting the fit right.

The Ether feels like a cloud but is anchored by a good fit over the yoke. The yoke line is the rope across the front panels, the armholes and the tension across the rope cross point. Correct tension across the body will prevent the side seams from dropping and the Ether from floating around.

* Finish your rope ends after threading.
1) Start by getting a good grip on your rope end by wrapping it tightly with tape or thread. 
 * The rope should have some friction inside the casing so the gathers sit in place. 

2)Thread the back casing and place the halfway mark of the rope in the centreback.

3) Gather the back casing toward the centre back.

4) Cross the rope and thread the sleeves and front or just the front for your sleeveless option.

* Try to keep the rope from twisting too much.

* Fit the yoke first and the shoulder levels last.

* To work out the gather / rope distribution, it's much easier to do it on a dress form or with a friend or over a tight top and pin to the top.

5) Pin or tape the centre front opening to your preferred height and allow space for the rope knot.

6) Gather the front from the armhole seam towards the rope knot, compressing the gathers as much as possible.

* Hand sewing the rope cross will stabilise the back tension if the back is worn very open.

* If the gathers sit wiggly on the rope straighten them by hand and press.

* A stabilised armhole seam and side seam will prevent any growth and distortion with fit. 

* If the armhole has grown you can take in the excess at the side seam sleeve seam.