For the Love of Sangria

allthingsandi
Apr 17, 2015
2 min read

My final project in my Draping course is to create an evening gown. The only requirements is for it to be formal in length, have boning and a zipper. I loved all the possibilities that this project had. Projects like this allows a person’s creativity run free; yet, I already knew exactly what I wanted to do. I have been dreaming of an illusion top gown with lace appliqués covering the essentials. The problem I knew i was going to face was finding the perfect lace appliqués that I had dreamed of in my head. Needless to say, I didn’t find them. Instead I did find these beautiful sangria colored flower appliqués at a local fabric store in the heart of Berry Hill area of Nashville, Texile Fabrics. Fortunately they also had a fabric that matches the flowers perfectly. Probably couldn’t have been a better match! I already had a few yards of a flesh tone mesh knit that is typically used for performance wear. It is a good fabric to use for my illusion top. After purchasing my notions I have only spent around $45 dollars on this project! Which is awesome for it being a formal gown.

I decided to drape my illusion fabric directly on the bust form given the fact that it is a knit and would be easier. I use black ribbon tape to mark my necklines and armhole. Once i was satisfied withe the draping I marked my sew lines with blue chalk. DO NOT use wax on fabric unless its a mockup. Unlike the chalk, the wax will not come off. After I marked everything I traced my draping and marked sew lines on paper using a light box to create a paper pattern. On that pattern I drew out seam allowances while still pinned to the fabric and cut the piece out. I sewed together my side and shoulder seams using French seams. I measured the distance from the waist to underneath the bust. I took that measurement and cut out boning and made a casing for it. I attached the boning to natural princess seam line. I decided to use all of my bottom-weight fabric in a gathered manner. I cut the fabric in half, and then the back piece in half again. I sewed the bottom side seams together and used a basting stitch across the top. I then attached the top to the bottom. I started pinning on the flower appliques in the placement I wanted. My next steps are to hand sew the flowers, attach the lining, sew in the zipper and create bias tape and sew that onto the neck and armhole. I will keep you guys posted!