It happened to me; the moment every
seamstress dreams of – I got invited to a wedding and the dress code? FORMAL!
Happiness levels to the MAX!!
After lying on the floor in a pleasure stupor, my
brain short-circuiting with non-stop ideas of sequins, tulle, floor length
gowns, diamonds and our Queen Beyonce, I slapped my self across the face and
started to focus my ideas.
It was always going to be this; a floor
length, fishtail, red strapless gown.
Please say hello to my little friend, lady danger.
DETAILS
Pattern
This dress is the lovechild of two Vogue
patterns. From waist up it is Vogue 1426 and from waist down it is Vogue 2931
Why? BECAUSE THESE TWO WERE MEANT TO GO
TOGETHER!
Fabric
A wool/polyester blend that I purchased
from the Fabric store. It is soft but with a medium weight and has a lovely matte finish which I think adds a sophistication to the look.
The dress is lined with this stunning
fabric that I bought from the Alannah Hill outlet in Brunswick Street for $5AU a
metre. I basically want to line everything I ever make in this stuff because
… ballerinas.
Construction
This bad boy is made up of an interfaced
outer fabric + lining + foundation for the bodice with boning. I’m pretty
sure you could throw a rock at my stomach and I WOULDN’T EVEN FEEL IT. #sewingarmour
There is an invisible zipper down the
centre back and a hook and eye to close.
Changes
I had to move the princess seams slightly
on the skirt front to match the bodice seams and luckily the back matched up
perfectly!
I made this dress in a size 14 and didn’t
make a muslin first. GASP!!! Scandalous I know! I don’t normally cheat on
something like this, especially something so formal but having a 3 year old and
a baby means all my good planning usually ends up in the ‘leave to the last minute’ pile.
PLUS I figured that regardless of the many
layers to this dress, it was in essence a simple princess seamed dress and they
have to be one of the easiest things to alter after it has been made.
I did end up taking in all the seams a LOT
and really should have cut a 12 or even a 10 (hello weird post baby body shape) which is why muslin's are important but hey, who doesn’t like to learn a life lesson when they sew? I also removed a lot
of excess fabric in the bust area which has to be the first time I've ever done a small bust adjustment on these girls.
I then took in the skirt at the knees to
exaggerate the fish tail shape, but still giving myself enough room to be able
to move.
Here are some movement shots to show you just how awesome this skirt is. You're welcome.
Lastly I added horsehair braid to the hem
of the dress, which I blind stitched in place. This just gave the hem a bit
more form and helped it to fan out more once again emphasising the fish tail
shape.
Features
When I first saw Vogue 1426 I was instantly
drawn to the shape of the bodice because what I liked about the neckline was
that it was sweetheart shaped, without being too sweetheart shaped, youknowwhatimean? But I wasn’t the biggest
fan on the skirt. Then I saw Vogue 2931 and I loved the skirt but wasn’t in
love with the bow halterneck bodice. Then the idea to merge the two hit me and
I couldn’t get it out of my head.
I love how the shape emphasises the female
form and does it with flattering princess seams. The foundation with boning
gives great support and helps maintain the shape.
Problems
If I was ever to make this bodice again I
would make it slightly tighter on top as the ever so slight looseness meant
that the bodice slid down a little during the night and I felt like I was
forever readjusting so I didn’t keep exposing my bra.
I would then close the dress with hook
and eye tape to relieve pressure on the zipper.
With a more fitted bodice I would also be
able to add bra cups so that I could avoid a bra all together.
Conclusion
I finished the dress the day before the wedding and luckily I love how it turned out!
A dress like this is a statement dress and
I definitely felt like a bit of a rock star wearing it that night.
And so another me-made dress now hangs proudly in the closet.
Until next time folks! xx
