Sunday, October 13, 2013

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!


18 comments:

  1. So gorgeous! I love the idea of the silk organza on the bottom -- it would be really cool to wear later with jeans. Your DD must be so excited about her outfit!

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  2. Gorgeous top. So smart to add the silk at the bottom. Love it!

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  3. She is going to look like a dream. And you will be so proud :)

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  4. What a great dress to be making. It will look great.

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  5. It looks beautiful. Such a smart idea for evening wear! Great work!

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  6. It is so beautiful. I love the feature of the unsequined organza. Very clever.

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  7. Absolutely stunning and it is the perfect party top, and the whole outfit will be outstanding.

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  8. It's looking so lovely! I cannot wait to see the final gown :)
    Gail, wrt the patchworked silk; I bought it in a local store Homecraft Textiles. Their website is http://www.homecrafttextiles.com.au/#! but I have no idea if they do online sales. If they do not and you would really like some of the fabric, let me know and I can go in and check, and if they still have it get some for you.

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  9. I love that you have the silk georgette longer for 'tucking in' so sensible! I cannot wait to see this on. Your daughter is going to look amazing. You are a dedicated mother snipping those sequins out of the seam allowance!

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  10. I love that you're building ways to restyle it right into the outfit! I bet that will look really cool with jeans for a girls' night out later. I'm excited to see the rest!

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  11. That fabric is so beautiful it is worth every minute you've spent working on it. I especially like the fluttery hem of the silk organza at the bottom - it will look fantastic over a pair of skinny jeans too

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  12. Gorgeous - beautiful work, and I know your daughter will look amazing in it. Look forward to seeing the skirt (and hope the sewing gods keep smiling on you for the skirt!)

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  13. WOW...LOVE that! Just so lovely!

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  14. Oh my this looks amazing. Such a clever idea to make separates and the organza bottom layer as well as being practical for tucking in will look really good untucked with skinnies too.

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  15. Now that is gorgeous :) Love the sheer matching panel at the hem!!

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  16. I love your idea of the organza at the bottom. The fabric and the design look wonderful. Looking forward to the final product!

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  17. Great idea and beautiful top. It makes me sad to think all if the hard work in my daughters formal dress will never see the light if day. Looking forward to see the end product!

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