by blingo!

 The top half of the bling 'dress' is completed (except for a closure at the back of the neck) and mother and daughter are very happy with our progress.  There is something so luxurious about the quality of outer fabric - randomly shattered sequins on a double layer of deep grey silk georgette.  The bottom half is made in sheer silk organza, to avoid bulk when tucking the top into the skirt and to create a different look if worn out over jeans.  The lining is grey silk.

I've included a lot of couture finishes on the inside including handpicked under-stitching of the lining and the hem on the organza skirt also has been hand finished.  Thanks for the advice about providing extra support for the neck band.  I ended up using horsehair lining and using tiny tailoring tacks to hold in place.  The layers of thickness resisted turning so only the top and ends were machined and bottom held together with tiny slip stitches.

I've removed all the sequins from the seam allowances - hundreds of sequins coming off with my snip scissors.  Four more long skirt lengths to go...and I'm almost crazy.  There is a lot of love in this outfit!

The bling dress taking shape

 A completed muslin, a happy teen...and a secretly relieved mother.  With Anita's help my drafted pattern needs very little adjustment. I will take 1 centimetre from the underarm seams.  I also had an issue with constructing the neckband which is proved too narrow to turn while it was attached to the centre front.  Just love the bra straps which won't feature on the evening...

It is still inside out in this picture.   My  plan is to sew the outside edges, clipping where it joins the front, machine the front seam, then hand stitch the facing in place.  Does anyone have a better idea?    I will use stretch interfacing on all of the outside edges of the top and skirt split to avoid stretching or sagging that might cause 'wardrobe malfunction'.

 

This weekend is a long weekend in Sydney, a great window to commence construction. I'm excited, are you? 

Pattern pyramid winner and THE frock

After another long absence I'm happy to announce Rhonda from http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com.au/ as the winner of the pattern pyramid.

I've been working on the 2013 big event dress - my daughter's high school formal - inspired by this fabulous gown worn by Lea Michele.  Actually given the likelihood of her wearing her formal gown again, we have agreed on a floor length sequinned split skirt and a halter top that can be worn later over jeans or a mini skirt.

Sunday afternoon was spent in a studio session at Studio Faro where I learnt more about pattern drafting and worked with Anita to create the pattern.  If you are based in Sydney or can visit, I can't recommend Anita's classes and workshops more highly.  She is an extremely knowledgeable and generous teacher.

The muslin was cut last night and I sewed the top. Magic fit first go.  It just needs a small gape dart in the section directly above the bust.  Hopefully I can finesse the skirt muslin this week to be ready to start sewing the 'real deal' on the weekend.  Working with $80 a metre, totally fabulous Tory Burch sequins the old adage of measuring twice, cutting one rings true.  Nay, make that measure THREE times!  

The skirt factory has been in full swing with two completed skirts - this geometric print ponte which I wore to my sewing guild meeting last Saturday and a plain black unlined pencil skirt that is wonderfully practical, lovely to wear but way too boring to post.  I've also made a cropped jacket that I don't love and is awaiting the right buttons that may change my opinion. 

Meanwhile...happy sewing!