Burda Style For people who sew
Description
I must say this dress is the most challenging piece of clothing I’ve ever made – and at the same time the most rewarding. I made it allready over a year ago, but haven’t just got the photos taken…
I made the dress for my “Old dances”, witch is a traditional ball for Finnish high school’s second year students. Traditionally students used to wear real old dresses and suits (for example my mother wore a dress from the 19th century in her old dances), but nowdays most girls have modern princess dresses with bright colours and tons of sequins and sparkly fake diamonds. However I didn’t feel comfortable wearing a dress like that as I wanted a dress that would be at least a little oldfashioned. So I ended up making my ball dress myself.
I used a 50’s pattern that I got from a girl in my craftschool. Anyvay the pattern didn’t have any instructions with it and the patterns were tiny and meant to be enlarged. With a little help of the girl I finally got the pieces in right size. Sewing without instructions wasn’t that hard because the pattern was so simple. I sew six bones to the bodice and used also an extra layer of fabric to give shape. I also made a tulleskirt to wear under the dress.
Material Notes
Lining, taffeta, chiffon, zipper, bones, cotton fabric for the bodice, button, hooks for the belt, tulle
Difficulty
Advanced
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Dec 20, 2011, 08.42 PMby claudinka
Beautiful dress. Is the skirt a circle skirt?
3 Replies
Dec 22, 2011, 12.30 PMby pampula
thank you! and yes, the skirt is a circle skirt.
Dec 22, 2011, 04.10 PMby claudinka
Thanks for the answer. And is it a full or half circle? Looks like you made it in panels on one of the pictures. I ask because I’m planning to change the skirt of a dress I have that has a beautiful bodice which fits me perfectly, but the skirt is way to tight. And I would like to make a flouncing skirt, it has to fall beautifully ;-)
Dec 28, 2011, 11.25 PMby pampula
I’m sorry that now when I think it again, I’m not sure if my answer is correct.. I’m not sure if the skirt I made is called a circle skirt after all, because it isn’t full nor half circle skirt. However it’s definitely more a half than a full, but the top angle is smaller than the 45 degrees.. And you guessed right, he skirt is made from six panels! Sorry abut my bad explanation, maybe it helps if you look the second picture and see my pattern:) and your project sounds great, good luck with that!
Apr 20, 2011, 07.06 AMby debbie777
Oh WOW! This is a masterpiece! Beautiful, the colour suits you very well :)
Apr 6, 2011, 09.58 PMby buttoneyed
ohh my, you look so pretty in this dress! And it looks so lovely, very inspiring!
Apr 2, 2011, 09.22 PMby shirosh
So beautiful, great job!(:
Mar 17, 2011, 12.08 AMby nattyjane
Gorgeous dress!
Mar 10, 2011, 01.08 PMby froggylonglegs
Gorgeous!!! You did so well!
Mar 9, 2011, 05.42 AMby rebeccalady
absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!! :-)
Mar 8, 2011, 04.08 PMby tashmopolitan
Lovely. Very grace kelly.
Mar 8, 2011, 09.20 AMby claudinka
You look like a million! I love the fabric, the colour, the dress. It looks very well made! Seems to fit really perfectly! I hope I will be able one day to make a dress like that!
Mar 7, 2011, 12.39 PMby pampula
Thank you all for lovely comments!
Mar 7, 2011, 07.12 AMby missymellie
this is so beautiful! you are so talented!
Mar 6, 2011, 05.23 PMby woman
ouhh im in love with it. belle of the ball indeed :D
Mar 6, 2011, 03.50 PMby strawberrypancakesbykim
This is such a gorgeous dress! And the construction looks beautiful!!
Mar 6, 2011, 12.29 PMby corinth
love it !!!
Mar 6, 2011, 09.51 AMby libbysharf
It’s amazing!! BTW in the 03/11 Burda Magazine there is a very similar bride dress, and I’m in the process of sewing it for a Bell (Beauty and the beast) costume.
Mar 6, 2011, 05.18 AMby Ruffles Gazebo
gorgeous. you must have looked so incredible!
Mar 6, 2011, 01.29 AMby melonhead
Wow this is so beautiful!! I love the bow in the front and the color looks absolutely gorgeous on you! :) Beautiful job!
Mar 6, 2011, 12.54 AMby kelepso
Very sweet and the color is beautiful too.
Mar 5, 2011, 10.52 PMby sarsaparilla
Another amazing dress! It’s absolutely gorgeous – the colour, style, the cute little bow! I’m not a fan of bright colours & sequins either – classic styles like yours are so flattering and beautiful :)
Mar 5, 2011, 10.05 PMby aniomatronika
You look gorgeous!
Mar 5, 2011, 08.00 PMby neama
Wow this is a gorgeous piece! The colour is so nice on you, and the style is old-school at its best. Well done
Mar 5, 2011, 07.31 PMby juebejue
its beautiful!! love the color, compliments your skin very well :)
Mar 5, 2011, 05.31 PMby redslippers
this is so stunning- it is pure elegance. wish i had a dress like that for my grad too!
Mar 5, 2011, 05.19 PMby lanternwaste33
This is really lovely. Wonderful Grace Kelly 1950’s style. It’s a great color and cut, and the design is really cute on you. I love the sweetness about this dress.
Mar 5, 2011, 02.57 PMby skeeler
This is just beautiful on you!!
Mar 5, 2011, 02.25 PMby sarahnix
this dress is timelessly beautiful, so dainty and whimsical!
Mar 5, 2011, 01.51 PMby Alexis Mizrahi
Great job! It’s beautiful
Mar 5, 2011, 01.06 PMby mollykatherine
This is beautiful!! I want one!
Mar 5, 2011, 12.36 PMby jhurienesling
This is amazing and it looks beautiful on you! Love the pattern and color! Very well done!
Mar 5, 2011, 11.48 AMby omgdora
It looks very well-made and pretty, and it’s so cool that you chose a 1950s pattern.