Dress Continued... The Bodice!!

This is the back pattern for my bodice of the dress. I didn't make any alterations as I only wanted a close fitting bodice. The shape is very simple.

This is the front of the bodice pattern. I wanted to keep it simple as the snood will cover the neckline. I want my final fabric to be the focal point of the dress so the pattern is quite simple.

This is the bodice after I have put the darts in. As you can see from the image it isn't fitting the body right.

This is an image of the inside of the bodice. I decided to make the darts more like seams so that it fitted the mannequin perfectly. I have also take a good inch off the side seams. I want the dress to be nipped in at the waist.

The seams work much better than the darts did and I actually think the seams create a nice tailored effect.

I have left the centre back open as I want to put an invisible zip reaching just past the hips so my model can get into the dress.

As you can see from this image the armhole is slightly too big and the seam doesn't sit on the shoulder right.

 I added more into the seams on the shoulders so that it would fit properly. This sorted out the two issues mentioned previously.

This is a close up of the bodice attached to the skirt at the waistline. I think this dress flatters the female body well. On the inside I have overlocked and pressed all the seams. I plan to make a lining in the dress for a neat, professional finish.

Dress Continued...

This is the front view of the skirt made up in calico. Because the pattern was curved it has created a panneled, pleated effect.

This is the back view of the skirt. The skirt doesn't need a waistband because it is being attached to the bodice.



This is the skirt attached at the waistline. The skirt comes down to around the knee point. (I will add images of how i made the bodice.)





This is the inside of the skirt where I have joined two panels together. As you can see I have snipped into the seam so it curves easily. I have then pressed the seam out so it lies flat. I have then topstitched to make sure it is secure.



This is an image of the topstitching from the outside. I have tried to keep the stitching neat. The topstitching has worked well as the skirt panels hold their shape a little better.



This is the skirt after i have pressed it and starched it. I was trying to create a stronger shape but the starch doesn't hold very well because of the weight of the fabric. If I am going to carry this idea forward I need something stronger.



Toile Diary - Dress (:

Skirt Panel

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Before I cut my patterns out in calico I wanted to see what they would look like on the mannequin. I cut around 10 panels out in my pattern and pinned them to the mannequin. 

This is the back view . I wanted to base my skirt on a crinolin skirt from the 18th century to fit in with my Marie Antoinette theme. I had neither the time or the skills to create an actual crinoline skirt but I settled for a full, panneled skirt instead. I was happy with the shape.

Incredible Missoni Dress

Dior - Miss Dior Chérie 2009

Communicating Fashion with Perfume :)

Lanvin for H&M - The Show

Communicating Fashion

Matthew Williamson for H&M [Commercial]