31 August 2007

Go With the Flow Dress - Done and Done!

I finished up the dress a couple of days ago, but I have been unable to post because I have been running around getting ready to go back to school. I'm back to the grind on Tuesday.

To finish the dress, I hemmed the lining using the double fold technique (I folded up 1" and then folded up again 1.25"). For the fashion fabric, I tried various options:
  • double fold hem - too heavy
  • baby hem - too fiddly
  • pseudo rolled hem (close spaced zigzag around the raw hem edge, trimming any stray threads) - just right!
The back closes with 10 buttons/button loops. To give the buttons extra stability, I sewed them on through a piece of twill tape.

The skirt on this dress is quite heavy (I figure it consists of 8 yards of fabric), so I installed a waist stay. A waist stay is useful as it allows the heavy skirt to hang from the waist, instead of the neck (which in the case of a halter like this would make for a very uncomfortable garment).

Lastly, to give the garment a bit of subtle zing, I beaded the front centre panel with bugle and seed beads. It is very understated, but when the light hits the beads, it adds a nice sparkle. ETA, a close-up picture of the beading. Sorry folks, I don't know how I forgot to post this picture in the first place!



So, without further ado, here is the finished product.
I am pleased with the finished product. There were times during the construction process that I though I would lose my mind. But, I persevered (I figure close to 25 hours went into this dress from design to layout, cutting, sewing, finishing and embellishing) and I'm glad I did. This dress can be dressed up, with fabulous jewellery and shoes for formal events. It can also be dressed down with a cute cardigan and fabulous shoes (hey, you always have to have fabulous shoes).
This dress is my entry in the Timmel Summer 2007 contest. I look forward to seeing what others have entered - I am always so inspired by seeing what other sewers create. If you're interested, head on over to Timmel Fabrics next week. If you are a newsletter subscriber, you can vote for your favourite.

As usual, my husband (my own little Peter Parker), gets me laughing. It's actually pretty easy for me to dissolve into a fit of giggles during these "photo shoots" because I always feel like such a twit while he's taking pictures. I can only imagine what the neighbours must be thinking!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Tamara said...

The dress looks fantastic! Obviously it is a lot of fun to wear. I can totally picture you swishing and twirling down the street having a blast out on the town.

Anonymous said...

Wah - can't see the beading - do you have a close-up pic, pretty please??

Kitty Couture said...

Oh, Shannon, it is an incredible dress. So beautiful and feminine, classy and sexy at the same time. You must feel so beautiful in it!! I find it the more stunning creation you've sewn since I discovered your blog.

Anonymous said...

such a fun and flirty dress, I love it!

Anonymous said...

It looks great. Love the twirl. I hope you and hubby can swing dance.

Anonymous said...

What they all said, plus YOU LOOK SO HAPPY IN IT!

Cherie said...

Oh, the dress, the accessories, the glow you have! Wonderful dress.

Erica Bunker said...

That dress is beautiful! And it looks fantastic on you!

Summerset said...

Forget the neighbors, you look fantastic! The dress is beautiful and I really love that full skirt.

Tany said...

Wow, it turned out beyond my expectations! Truly wonderful! You look fabulous!

LauraLo said...

That's so beautiful! I adore the full skirt...

Vicki said...

Wow, what a fabulous dress! It looks spectacular on you. I love the photo shoot, especially the twirly one - that is one to get developed and put on the wall.

Anonymous said...

Elegant and Gorgeous!!!

narcissaqtpie said...

I just have to echo how lovely this dress is!

Elaray said...

BEE-YOU-TIFUL!!! I love the picture with the flowing skirt! That dress is definitely a winner.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Girl you are working that dress! Love all the photos especially the one with the full twirl of the skirt! Another stunning winner that I am sure you now know was worth all of the work! :)

Anonymous said...

Oo la la lovely! Great photos, great dress! This was was truly worth all the effort.

Anonymous said...

Shannon, this is simply the most STUNNING dress! All that work, you really are the most amazing sewer (sewist?). Your blog is fantastic - you're inspiring me to do some more sewing for ME instead of crafting or sewing for my children!

Diann McDuffie said...

That dress looks incredible on you! You did a fabulous job on it. The color could not be any better for you--love it!

Adele said...

What a beautiful dress. You are so talented!!! Glad to have found your blog.

Anonymous said...

just jacked off to these pics

Anonymous said...

OMG I want to fuck her in the ass