Custom Dress #3

School started again this week, so I have had to prep for that rather than work on any projects. I have finally finished the toile/ muslin for the custom dress I am making, though. I am about to send this off to L, so that she can fit it and let me know what needs adapting. From the photos, I can already see the mid-section needs to be pulled in vertically at the the centre front to replicate the original. I'm so excited to see how this looks on a body- the mannequin really doesn't do the shape justice.

Custom Dress #2

I decided to trial this in fabric, as the drapes work so much better than in paper. This is the bodice section. I still think it comes too low, so will raise the mid-section under the arm.

The mid-section needed yo be cut on the bias to create better folds, so I cut this on the stand.
This shows how I have raised the midsection:
The original design has folds on the shoulder, so I have added extra fabric here to create this effect.

This is what the pattern looks like flat:

Custom Dress

I am so excited to be making a custom dress for a lovely lady in the States. Here are the first set of pattern drafting pics. I really want to get cracking on this quickly. I'm looking for a lightweight wool or wool-type synthetic mix (suiting material), so if anyone can recommend something, please let me know.

This is the dress I am basing it on- beautiful draping with a retro feel. I have marked on bust, waist and hip lines to give me an idea of where to split the basic block I have drafted for her.

This is the bodice section- I will cut this in fabric today and see how it works, as paper doesn't give a true representation of the drapes.

This is the mid-section. I have included photos of how to 'slash and spread', for those of you interested in pattern adaptation. I have marked on where I want the extra fabric (across the whole panel) and the spread it evenly, sticking it down onto a paper backing (see next photo).

This is how it is looking currently. It will look much better in fabric. I think the mid-section may need raising a little and the bodice section shortening, to reflect the design better.

Thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated!

Ikat Skirt

Very now- ikat fabrics and draping on SS10 catwalk.