Couture Dressmaking

Process

To start, we draped the bodice!  We did pretty standard panels with princess seams that I've done before.  Fitting the bodice was a bit of a challenge, however, since we draped on a standard dress form and I am significantly smaller in the bust.  I got a nice fit in the end though!

Next we cut the pattern out of our muslin and fashion fabric.  We sewed the boning channels onto the muslin, and then sewed that together with the fashion fabric.  There's one bone on the side front that was very interesting to me, it goes diagonally along the ribcage to help shape the bust!  I hadn't done a boning channel that didn't follow a seam before.

Then we patterned and constructed the skirt.  I chose to do a gored skirt, another first for me!  The panels follow the seams in the bodice, and hug the top of my hips before flaring out gently.  I think it offers really nice subtle volume without being too outrageous!

After that we put the lining on the bodice.  We did a really interesting handsewing technique to help the bodice keep its shape when worn!  I put the gold faux collar on during that step.  The boning also went in, so the channels wouldn't get closed without bones in them when we put the skirt on.  We used spiral steel, since it's strong but still flexible.

Next we put the skirt on!  We hand sewed the skirt lining to the bodice lining to hide the raw edges.

After the skirt was the zipper and closing up the back, and then we were done!

Results

I am so impressed with myself that I made this!  It's super comfortable, even with the boning, and the skirt has the perfect amount of volume to feel fun when I move.  The class had a professional photographer come in on the last day so we could get nice pictures of the gowns!  I chose to model my own.

Reflection

I learned so much from this project!  It was such an amazing experience.  Even though the gown fits me perfectly, I'm planning on adding straps in the same gold as the collar for some extra security at prom.