So in my introduce yourself post I mentioned that I do some dressmaking. I figured then, that you guys might like to see how I made this one:
This is one of my own designs (mainly because I'm too lazy to follow complex patterns and I like to improvise to find the simplest way of doing things.) I know it may look pretty difficult but in terms of the main bodice there is actually only one line of stitching. And so, here's how its done...
First you buy material about 1.5-2 metres in length and depending on how tall you are around 1.5 metres in width. This is because the width of the material is actually going to be the length of you. As I will demonstrate with my very poor artistic skills:
Once you have your material laid out flat fold it in half and then either measure the size of your chest, half it and mark on the dress from the fold:
or wrap the material around yourself and hold it where it meets around your chest with an even amount of material on each side left. Then mark it so you know where to sew.
You may notice that the material left hanging is quite substantial... this is integral to accomplishing the flow on the back of the dress.
Now sew down diagonally from the mark you just made to the other end of the material like so:
Once this is done and the dress is on it will hang but with no shape, something like this
Then to create shape and make the dress hug your figure you take a section from each side at the back and pull it together behind you... WARNING particularly shoddy attempt at drawing what I'm trying to explain.
This can be seen in a closer look at the back of the dress
(apologies for the poor quality of the photo)
these two side parts of the dress have been fastened using a hook and eye which then adds the textured layering effect in the back of the dress.
After this you simply add on some straps and there you have it.
(side note, unfortunately this dress does not work with individuals with wider hips than bust as it will not fit over them, however I have devised a variation that does suit a wider hipped shape)
If you have any questions feel free to ask, and if you'd like to see the other variation of the dress do comment and let me know :)
stay safe out there xox
