I looked in all the prom mags and found some cute dresses; but, I kept saying to myself, ‘Gee, I wish this bodice were on that skirt,’ or ’Wouldn’t it be great if I could put the straps from that Vivien Leigh gown on this bodice?’ So, the answer, of course, was to do all the custom work myself – that’s right, just like those dudes who trick out ordinary cars, I had to put a basic dress “up on the lift” and pimp it out.
Biggest goal: Look killer in my dress. I’ve been working out with hand weights for months so I can show off my “First Lady arms.” So I know I want a thin shoulder strap. I need a little more, um, shall we say, “filling out” along the bustline, so I know I need a structured element there. I’m pretty tall and thin, so I can afford to have some drama going on in the back of the dress – a keyhole, maybe, or even a fall.
If you watch Project Runway, you know the designers all start by “draping” on a dress form. My mom taught my sister, Chanel, how to make her own (super cheap!) dress form out of duct tape and old pillows. You can watch this episode for free on her website: Jane’s Sew and So: Dress Form.
I sewed a muslin out of a fabric remnant, fit it on my own dress form and started pinning, altering and tailoring the dress until it looked exactly how I wanted it to look. Some of my original ideas went out the window because they just didn’t translate off the page, but as I tweaked and fiddled, the dress came together in my hands to satisfy my designer’s eye.
Don’t think you have to dress like the models in the magazines. Here are few links to help you figure out your own body type:
THIS JUST IN: My mom and dad gave me an early graduation present! A new sewing machine! It’s gorgeous and has embroidery!
Just for fun – check out my “Timeless Prom” radio station on <a href= http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh135282592226723717" target="_blank">Pandora.com.
-Grace
Jun 1, 2009, 05.17 PMby emilykate
Heehee, not a Brit; an Aussie :o) I’ve been telling all the beginning sewers I know to head over to the tutorial!
May 29, 2009, 07.04 AMby liljess
thank you for the picture. x
May 28, 2009, 03.54 PMby gracesamson
Glad you found the Dress Form episode helpful, EmilyKate! Chanel and I had a lot of fun making them and we use them ALL THE TIME. (p.s., are you from the UK? I love that you called my mom, “mum”!)
May 28, 2009, 03.53 PMby gracesamson
Hey, Jess – This is all I have for that image. Hope it helps. And, yes, stay tuned for pix of the final dress – they’ll be in one of my next two posts. Yay!
May 27, 2009, 05.39 AMby liljess
Wow the dress looks amazing! have you got a picture of yourself wearing it? Also have you got a full picture of the brunette from your collage? i really want to make a backless dress with lace just like that one. Thanks x
May 26, 2009, 03.14 PMby emilykate
I watched the Dress form video, it is so great! I tried years ago to make a duct tape dummy but it did not turn out satisfactorily at all… now that I know how to properly structure it I am tempted to give it another go, Chanel’s dress form in the video was a perfect match! (ps I love that your mum is so into sewing and design that she named her daughter after a designer!)
May 26, 2009, 01.50 PMby fufusuzy
>;-p
May 26, 2009, 01.49 PMby gracesamson
I’m so jealous!
May 26, 2009, 01.47 PMby fufusuzy
I love it! The steps are really easy to follow. I’m going to make one for my prom – it’s just a week away. I am not good enough to sew my own dress, but I can do this purse. Thanks for the recommendation, Grace. And thanks for writing back.
May 26, 2009, 01.43 PMby gracesamson
CUTE CLUTCH! I am so sad I didn’t see this in time to make it for prom. But, my mom – she’s so amazing! – had a box full of vintage purses for me to choose from, so at least I had something with me. Gotta make this for my next big night – maybe an awards show for my next film? Yeah!
May 26, 2009, 01.16 PMby gracesamson
I’m glad you liked it. I had so much fun putting it together. I make a radio station for all my moods and it’s great to have one playing while you sew. I made another really sappy one for when I was sewing my prom dress. A lot of the guys on the crew made fun of me, but I caught them lip-synching some of the words, so nice try, guys!
May 26, 2009, 01.12 PMby fufusuzy
That radio station is amazing, Grace – tee, hee, made a joke. I clicked on it and got to hear “Cha Cha Slide” – haven’t heard that in years. Do you remember the kids doing the Rockafella Skank in “She’s All That?” I can’t believe that movie was already 10 years ago. These songs are really timeless.