Lachica's Entry
For a wedding on 9 June
Pattern used: none, first attempt at draping on the dress form
A short description on how you made it/problems overcome/etc:
This was definitely an a***e about face construction method! The fabric (heavy Georgette from TTC) has a lovely drape. There was only just over a metre at 150 wide as it was a remnant. I didn't want a lot of seams as not enough fabric to pattern match. I'd held it up on myself & liked the cowl neck effect. I pinned it onto Dolly with the bottom of the fabric just below knee level (except Dolly doesn't have knees, more of this later) & fiddled with the neck drape until I liked what I saw, then pinned the drape in place. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] Pattern placement: I moved the fabric to avoid a large flower on each boob. To get an asymmetric drape I made 5 pleats on one side from the waist up to underbust. The cowl was wrong side out at this point, there was one side seam as the fabric was wrapped round Dolly, but she doesn't have arms and I have 2. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] I tried it on and DH helpfully pointed out that my right arm was trapped inside. Also, the pleated fabric across my tummy was most unflattering. Removed pleats, stitched side seam.
Deep breath, cut off the top cowl fabric & joined it back on with right side to wrong side so cowl now had right side out. Also cut a slit to allow the trapped arm out. Rolled hems on armhole edges. It looked like a sack on Dolly. Pinched out a bust dart in the seam side, tacked. Pinched out 2 vertical front darts, tacked. Pinned shoulders, tried on. Tummy much better, would be better if I lost a stone
made the darts a bit bigger, stitched. Each time it went on Dolly or on me, the cowl fell differently, so I hand stitched pleats on the shoulders along with a piece of ribbon with popper to attach to bra straps. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] This stabilised it, should have done this sooner. Finally hemmed tonight, it's a bit above my knees (because Dolly doesn't have any). I also made a waist slip to avoid static/knicker view. [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]