Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Frayed Layer Gown

This week is the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards deadline which means that I have been scrambling around trying to finish everything in time. Every year it's like this, but this year I've had college applications to finish as well so there has been even more frantic running around than usual. Here's a gown that I made this past week for Schoalstics and I just finished it a couple of days ago.

Lately I've been experimenting a lot with the grain line of fabrics. A grain line is the direction of the thread in fabric. When cutting out the pattern pieces of a garment one usually wants the grain lines to be going straight. This is to make sure that the garment doesn't stretch while sewing, which could completely alter the fit of the clothing. As I was experimenting and playing around with the grain line I found that when it’s cut diagonally it creates a fraying effect without the fabric completely unraveling. I loved the look and texture of this technique so I wanted to create a garment that would play off of this effect. I originally also wanted to ombre dye it, but when I did a test try the color of the dye was not what I wanted.

(If you click on the images it will be less blurry. I'm tech-challenged so I still haven't figured out how to make images larger without it blurring on blogger).








I hand drafted the pattern using the measurements of my dress form. I wanted to create different shapes to show the movement of the frayed layers so I designed a slim fitted bodice on top with a flared out, mermaid skirt. The mermaid skirt was created by using the same technique that would normally go into making a circle skirt. Each layer was sewn onto the dress starting at the bottom and then working all the way up until the top. Each layer had to be measured and sewn to the skirt correctly in order for the layers to match up in the back where an invisible zipper is. The zipper was hand sewn to the dress and so was the lining around the zipper. There is boning in the bodice for stability and the gown is fully lined with a crinoline layer in-between the lining and the actual gown. This helps make the skirt appear fuller. Overall the dress took around 50 hours to make, and I used over ten yards of fabric (which as you probably guessed I got from Wal-Mart. I don't know what I'd do without that store).

I have only two more days to finish up the little details for all the deadlines, but then I can't wait to show you guys all the new work that I have made. Hopefully this next coming week I'll have time to put them up once Scholastics is over.

I hope your New Year is going well so far and filled with lots of fun adventures!

20 comments:

  1. Oh, that's beautiful. I want to ombre-dye it. So lovely! I can't wait to see it on and the beautiful photographs you take

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  2. That's amazing. You never fail to impress! I hope you do well in the competition :)

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  3. You're incredible! Lordie, I feel like we could have seen this dress on the red carpet last Sunday. Good luck good luck!

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  4. Oh my gosh that's stunning - I love the simple silhouette, it really showcases the detail! Good luck!

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  5. That dress looks like a high-fashion designer made it. You are amazing!

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  6. Your dress is beautiful. You are so talented. All the best with your application!.........

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  7. Gorgeous, as always! I've been away from my sewing machine so I haven't created anything recently but this makes me want to start something immediately.

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  8. how beautiful! I love it! The mermaid skirt compliments the layers perfectly.

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  9. sheer beauty!! Its looks like couture! x good luck!

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  10. It's almost like a new, fabric spin on your masking tape dress. As always, you are awesome!

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  11. Very beautiful. College applications should be a peace of cake when you can pull this off!

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  12. Hi, I'm a new follower and just want to say that looks gorgeous.. would be a great wedding dress:)


    www.becstitches.blogspot.com.au

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  13. Wow, this dress looks great! I just found your blog (new follower!) and the dress you wore for your birthday? a-m-a-z-i-n-g! I wanna learn how to sew clothes (so far I've only made home decor, bags, etc.) but it's so intimidating (but also very exciting!)

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  14. So beautiful! You are incredible! :)

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  15. This dress is amazing! You are extremely talented! Good luck with your college applications and your scholastic entry ^__^

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  16. You seriously have talent. I am an apparel design graduate myself, and your designs are better than some of our senior project designs. I'm not kidding.

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  17. very pretty and i think it would be great for a steam punk wedding dress. what a great idea and what beautiful execution.

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  18. You're so talented, what an amazing dress! I can't even imagine how lovely it would look ombre dyed, too....What kind of fabric is it?

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  19. It's beautiful! I'm totally in love with this dress <3 You inspired me to make one myself!!

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  20. Oh my goodness! It is stunning! I'm planning my wedding right now and this came up while I was searching for gowns. I wish I could sew because now I'm in love with this dress. I want it!

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