I've been thinking about the best way to make the bodice. The original plan was to construct the base layer of the bodice from a New Look V-neck dress pattern Ginny has used in the past. However, I am concerned the shape of the V-neck will not be what we are aiming for.
I have looked through several on-line pattern books--Vogue, Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, Marfy, Burda, and New Look--plus examined various dresses on department store websites to come up with a different approach for the bodice. The intent is to deliver the same design.
The new approach is to made the base bodice from the crepe de chine and cotton/silk material using a strapless bodice pattern. I will then drape the chiffon over this strapless bodice to get the effect Ginny is looking for. The Chiffon will then be hand sewn to the strapless bodice underlayer. This will require the actual presence of Ginny to achieve. Fortunately, she is planning to visit Boston in late April. That will be perfect timing to do this.
In the meantime, I will cut a practice bodice from Muslin and try this out on the dress form.
So--what do you think?
I like this idea. I think it will look really pretty and soft and reminds of the dresses we looked at that were strapless with lace over- blouses. If you do it that way, you will also need to sew in the bra so we can insert cutlets and don't see straps. I am virtually certain that was already in the plans, but just in case...
ReplyDeleteI think everything is coming along smashingly well! I will take pictures of a couple of vintage brooches I have found and send them to all of you. I had bought the blue one and found another that is a 50's pearl number.
Hello from Bangkok!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the pictures of the brooches. I also bought a blue parasol in Myanmar to keep the sun off if need be.
I'm a little skeptical about the strapless idea (is this what it feels like to be a bridezilla?). Here are my primary concerns:
1. The v-neck of chiffon will dip below the strapless bodice, creating a neckline different than the original design.
2. The chiffon might not stay in the correct place on my shoulders without something to tack it to. The chiffon is not very structured, so without some straps there I feel like it will be hard to keep it in place and with the right drape.
I found some pictures that have elements of what we're looking for, but nothing that is 100% representative. I thought it might stimulate the creative juices on what the other options are. Here's what I found:
http://formal-dress.co.uk/prom-dress-2012/8666-2012-light-champagne-cap-sleeve-v-neck-chiffon-evening-dress-bwo.html
http://www.promdressesin.co.uk/victoria-2012-new/1491-victoria-purple-gradient-deep-v-neck-cap-sleeve-tencel-princess-dress-vicb0bwj.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/398407652/Cap_sleeve_V_neck_wedding_dress.html
http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=607&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=Xm2R5zQ5KofQNM:&imgrefurl=http://www.honeybuy.com/c/Cocktail-Dresses-2012%3FpageNum%3D2&docid=HSByrU56LSUN0M&imgurl=http://www.honeybuy.com/image/v_neck_v_back_ruched_knee_length_yellow_cocktail_dress_with_cap_sleeve_156894364525009_690X500.jpg&w=500&h=690&ei=10gtT5q2EILprAfKw6znDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=527&vpy=4&dur=1513&hovh=264&hovw=191&tx=133&ty=88&sig=113939123648352625838&page=3&tbnh=142&tbnw=103&start=50&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:50
http://www.promdressesin.co.uk/1549-7032-large/apricot-v-neck-cap-sleeve-organza-elegant-floor-length-evening-dress-56-byw-.jpg