Burda Style For people who sew
Description
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. As I was 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.
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 on the bottom. 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 placed. The zipper was hand sewn to the dress along with 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. Overall the dress took around 50 hours to make, and I used over ten yards of fabric which I got at Wal Mart for $1 a yard. I hope you like it! :)
You can also check out more on my blog: http://esther-fromthesticks.blogspot.com/2013/01/life-is-like-onion-gown.html
Material Notes
Woven blend fabric, lining, tulle, interfacing, boning, invisible zipper, hook and eyes, and thread.
Difficulty
Novice
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Feb 5, 2013, 10.43 AMby gfoster
Wow that is incredible. Love the layers one of my favourite styles
Feb 4, 2013, 05.51 PMby Danabelo
This cannot be novice! It’s AMAZING.
Feb 3, 2013, 02.45 AMby Jamie Lau
Great work!
Jan 26, 2013, 01.42 PMby enjoyeunju
that’s it! how wonderful it is!
Jan 24, 2013, 08.41 PMby jaderbug
amazing!!!
Jan 20, 2013, 10.10 PMby sophienissirios
Wow! Stunning :-)
Jan 18, 2013, 09.40 PMby alekat
My goodness! That is so amazing! Sewing all those layers must have been tedious but it’s really paid off. You are just too clever!
Jan 18, 2013, 08.16 PMby chillwear
Wow- amazing! Just a stunning dress….
Jan 18, 2013, 04.09 PMby Cristina Staicu
This dress it’s a delight for every fashion-lover :)
Jan 17, 2013, 10.01 PMby littlewren
this is lovely!
Jan 17, 2013, 07.04 PMby RedDynamica
it’s truely amazing, something like simple raw edges, makes it so unique!
Jan 17, 2013, 05.30 PMby Madcinderella
Love it, very beautiful!
Jan 17, 2013, 01.35 PMby mbalivilakatiyahoocouk
I think Anne Hathaway should wear this dress on her next red carpet event. AMAZING!!!! Well done.
1 Reply
Jan 18, 2013, 03.36 AMby melonhead
Aw thank you, that means a lot!
Jan 17, 2013, 01.05 PMby Anna E
I do not envy you cutting and sewing all those frayed layers, but the result is stunning. (my first thought seeing the dress was: I hope that she did not have to sew all those layers on herself and that it was a ready to use fabric)
1 Reply
Jan 18, 2013, 03.50 AMby melonhead
Haha yes, thank you! Surprisingly it wasn’t too bad cutting and sewing all the layers. Overall it took around 3 days to sew the layers onto the gown. The area the took the longest was the bodice section, just because the layers had to be even and match up in the back where the zipper is. But overall it wasn’t too bad :)
Jan 17, 2013, 04.41 AMby Ruffles Gazebo
beauitful! love the effect, you’d look amazing in this! goodluck with applications
1 Reply
Jan 18, 2013, 03.52 AMby melonhead
Aw thank you Ruffles for the kind complement and wishing me luck!
Jan 16, 2013, 10.24 PMby kisses
Stunning dress…very impressive work and the amount of time you put in. well done
1 Reply
Jan 18, 2013, 03.52 AMby melonhead
Thank you!
Jan 16, 2013, 09.49 PMby martinK
raw edge elegantie; beautiful shape, like it, it’s special
Jan 16, 2013, 07.42 PMby ariation
Oh my gosh………………….beautiful! You are so talented and you will be great if you keep up the good work. All the best! I’m your newest big fan :)
1 Reply
Jan 18, 2013, 03.53 AMby melonhead
Thank you Ariation for such kind words about my work!
Jan 16, 2013, 06.14 PMby panifrau
Stunning! As always.
Jan 16, 2013, 05.46 PMby michelle ><><><
Absolutely inspiring!! You are very talented all the time and energy you put into all that you do will truly pay off .my daughter has also been apply for colleges, CrAzy Times but ExciTinG! ;)I’m sure wherever u go u will succeed. Would love to know where u choose keep us updated! <><
1 Reply
Jan 18, 2013, 03.56 AMby melonhead
Thank you Michelle for the sweet complements! I can mostly definitely relate to your daughter! I have been going non stop and I’m so ready to have everything finished.
In good news I’ve been accepted into two so far both with scholarships and one of them is a full ride :) I’m still waiting to hear back from some other schools though, but I will keep updating with what’s happening :)
Jan 16, 2013, 05.11 PMby Kim Mullins
so beautiful such talent and patience! well done you!
Jan 16, 2013, 04.43 PMby Sieya TheSewingdiva
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Jan 16, 2013, 04.42 PMby Mary Athey
Just gorgeous x