To create the back I completely put aside the instructions that came with the Simplicity pattern, and used Koshka's the Cat's excellent tutorial on making an 'en fourreau' gown.
The beauty of this technique is you make up the bodice lining first and then you pleat your fabric down to fit it. This is best demonstrated through the centre back.
Top photos show the made-up back lining (folded in half) as a guide to cut out extra fabric at sides and centre back, which is then pleated down to fit the lining - next photo shows the centre back is now pleated down and pinned to the lining underneath.This is the first time I've tried draping external fabric to fit an internal shell and it worked very well, I'll certainly be doing this again.
A second technique (new to me) was making rouleau loops - which are tubes of bias fabric sewn to create loops - to lace up the front of the bodice. See below:
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| adding rouleau loops to the front bodice for the central lacing |
No cat-on-fabric photo today, but here's my dog helping out in her own way.
For anyone else tackling an Marie Antionette (ish) dress, please check out my collection of tutorials on Pinterest.
I look forward to seeing it finished.
ReplyDeleteThanks - me too ;p
DeleteWow, it is looking great so far! I am unfamiliar with that technique, it sounds interesting, although I can't quite grasp it, I think it's one of those things I would have to do to get it.
ReplyDeleteThank you - and I probably didn't explain the technique very well. check out Koshka's tutorial. I did take a lot of photos as I made the outfit but the colours don't have enough contrast to really be any good in explaining how it works.
DeleteThe lining fabric is really pretty and it looks like your dog agrees with me, there. ;) Keep up the great work. Can't wait for the next dress update. :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks so beautiful - so much hard work! I love the colour:)
ReplyDeleteThank you. my niece picked the colour, and I think it will suit her
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