my eldest has just completed her last year at school.
the final date of the school calender was a leavers Prom. now the whole Prom thing is new to me as when i left school (many years ago) we just had a disco and some tea and cake with the teachers. now it seems to be a much bigger thing and gowns are ordered, cars hired etc etc.
school has been full on this year as they all worked towards the exams and the final prom party has been a happy distraction for many . the thought of dressing up and having fun and marking the transition of leaving school and going on to the next stage of their journeys has been something to plan and look forward to. my girl enjoys sewing and said she would like us to make a dress for the event
Being uncertain as to what she wanted the dress to be like or what colour intially, trying to work with her to find this out was tricky. the good thing was she was clear about what she didn't want!
After searching many patterns we ordered Simplicity 2692 as a starting point, and i whipped up a bodice toile to see if there was potential there.
It would make quite a pretty dress but sadly the gathers at the shoulder and underbust line didn't give the pleated look she was after. Pinterest was useful and this image was one she kept coming back to.
Armed with her measurements and my trusty Winifred Aldrich Metric pattern cutting book i first drafted a close fitting bodice block and then adapted it to a sleeveless bodice block.
I made a toile and fitted it and decided to lose the waist and bust darts and create princess seams for the bodice foundation.
Meanwhile we started searching for fabric.
A trip to Berwick street in London took me down memory lane (a favourite haunt in my costume making days). Borovicks Fabrics were super helpful and we found the perfect colour in satin back crepe. There wasn't quite enough on the roll so they ordered some in for us, along with some lining.
The chiffon layer was ordered online from Harringtons fabric and Lace and was the perfect colour match.
My husband also picked up some Eqyptian muslin and sanforised mull for me to use as interlining from MaCulloch and Wallis in town.
Now i just had to work out the pattern pieces and how to put it all together so we could start.
Recent Comments