So we're going to try & make a formal dress *Latest Pics Post #101*

[new2chix]

When you are doing the sheer for the skirt make sure to use a thin, ball point needle on the machine, and check your tension on some scraps before you begin that section. Sheers are tricky and can pull or run pretty easily. Good luck!

My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 8 - I made several formal dresses, including my prom dress, my clothes for college, and a variety of other things over the years.

 

[DawnSuiter]

new2chix - thank you for the tip.

I have never heard of or seen a ball point needle, but i googled it. I figured I'd be stuck hand sewing the sheer, so I'm glad for your tip!

 

[DawnSuiter]

Ok.. I'm feeling stuck.
I think the arms on my dress form are causing problems because I cant seem to slip the garments on and off properly...
do I have to get rid of them?
I wasn't planning on putting in a zipper and I'm not understanding how to get this dress on and off the form while still pinned...

I have lots of dresses of this same shape that have no zippers... what am I missing here???

 

[NanaKat]

You may need to put in a zipper...reason....a fitted dress can only move around the dress form to the size of the smallest diameter..
Example. A fitted waist of 25 will not go over a 34 inch bust or hip unless it has a zipper to open it up.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[Tala]

My grandma and I made my wedding dress.

It's much more simple than what you are attempting, but we did it for about $60

Someone else also homemade the blue dress that my sister is wearing in the pic. We bought it used for $65 and I wore it to my Jr Prom, I think my sister wore it to a spring banquet, and it worked great in the wedding. We got a lot of milage out of that one!

 

[ebwy]

maybe the dresses you have that don't need a zip are made from a more stretchy fabric?

 

[DawnSuiter]

They are more stretchy.. duh... makes perfect sense.

So I guess I have to go with either a zipper or lace it up like a shoe in the back...

I've never put in a zipper... any advice if I do go that way?

Tala - you look beautiful, as does your maid. Thank you for sharing and for inspiring me.

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:
Wow.. really? I take it you haven't been prom dress shopping for a teenager lately. They are OUT OF CONTROL NAKED!!! I mean.. we have serious clothes rules here, NOTHING tight, no midriffs, fingertip or longer shorts & skirts(not even allowed to wear skirts to school), feet covered, etc.. and with formal wear we also have a rule... one point of exposure.. top or bottom NOT both.

This dress seemed like a fine compromise... neck, arms and a little chest and nothing else, including no cleavage!! I should also add she's a slim girl.. 5'7 or so and 125 lbs soaking wet, so there isn't going to be any bulging or excess

You're right about OUT OF CONTROL NAKED. When I worked at school, the then HS prin.'s son (different school dist.) took a gorgeous girl to the prom, and her "dress" was a "bra-like top" and pants. It was like two bottle caps on top. The prin. was NOT impressed with her choice of "dress", and couldn't believe the parents let her dress like that.

Beautiful colors!!! Love anything that sparkles and is in the pink family!! Love black also!!!

 

[Fudgie]

Quote:
What about putting the zipper up the side seam, that is the widest part and it won't distract from the back of the garmet! By the way are you doing a double project, sewing and hatching? I see a lot of incubators in the background! LOL!

 

[DawnSuiter]

Fudgie, I wondered who would be first to mention the bators.
Yep.. you see 2 hovabators & a home made styro bator that doesn't work well enough to hatch in.. yet

I have Black/Blue/Splash orpingtons from my own flock in the bators now that are due on Tuesday. I still need to find homes for the extra black & blue cockerels that will surely hatch, the girls already have homes.

So.. yeah.. double projects all the time. The chicks will live in that room for a week as well, so next week I'll have the sounds of peeping to keep me sewing.

Side zipper sounds interesting... I should see if I have any examples in my closet to go from. Thanks!