WARNING! LONG POST! (I have to do that for my sister Megan so she can prepare herself.)
Okay! I decided to enter my very first sewing contest! I'm pretty excited about it. I kind of came in late in the game and missed out on all the back and forth conversations between the ladies as they created their garments, but it's all good. This contest is being held at PatternReview.com.
Here is the challenge:
"This is a challenge to copy or create a garment inspired by RTW (ready-to-wear) or a designer collection, that can be worn by either a child or adult."
First I needed to find an inspiring garment. I found this dress at Nordstrom and here are the specs for it:
Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Print Surplice Bodice Dress
Sumptuous silk waistline centers a cotton print dress, styled with a slightly pleated skirt and a volume-enhancing bubble hem.
- Hidden side zip with hook-and-eye closure.
- Double V-neck.
- Placement of print may vary by dress.
- Approx. length from shoulder to hem: 39".
- Fully lined.
- Silk; dry clean.
- By Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique; imported.
- Dresses.
I fell in love with this dress. Of course the fabric is completely rich and inspiring. I also love the neckline and the fullness in the bodice. And last but not least, I am a sucker for the bubble skirt. Score! My challenge is to take this lovely dress and create a child's garment (anyone surprised?) from this inspiration. So, where do I start? Ma soeur Megan knows! The FABRIC STORE!!!!!
First I looked around at the browns and blues because that is what initially drew me to the dress. However, since I am making this dress with a child in mind I knew that the fabrics in this department would look way to old. I can't stand those dresses that six year olds wear that have the colors and styling that a 15 year old would wear. Grosses me out. Let kids be kids I say! So, I decided to leave the color scheme behind and peruse the aisles. I waited for something to speak to me. Something always does! And here it is:
Time to design my dress. I knew I wanted to copy the bubble skirt bottom, so I needed to focus on the bodice. I absolutely love V-necklines on adult women. I think it is such a flattering look. For a little girl, however, I prefer the sweet rounded neckline to the plunging V.
Now even though I decided on the scooped neckline, I wanted to keep my inspired dress in the bodice somehow. I decided to add fullness to the shoulders and center front waist. When gathered, I hoped to create a soft "V" in the bodice. Time to get to work!
Let's see how this dress comes together.
I really love how the gathered fabric forms that "V." Let's look at the gathers a bit closer.
This is looking up the dress from under the skirt. The red fabric is the short a-line underskirt which enables the bubble to happen.
I had some trouble figuring out what I wanted to do with the zipper. I ended up doing a placket. The zipper connects the bodice to the underskirt only and the placket closes over it. I want the bubble skirt to have continual flow and not be interrupted by the zipper.
Here is the placket tucked and in place. After doing this, I received some amazing advice on patternreview.com to attach the zipper to both layers and do an inverted pleat in the center back to cover and disguise the zipper. In hindsight, that really would've been the best way to go.
Inside the dress. Come on! Where is the dress?
Here is my final garment. I chose to do a subtle piping around the waist instead of a thick band. The reason for this is that I thought the thick band would take away from the detailing in the bodice. My last and final touch is the little flower at the top of the neckline. I wanted to bring in one more splash of color and still maintain the elegant simplicity of this garment.
This has been a really fun project. For those of you who were inspired by the initial dress, you can buy this pattern (Butterick 5176) and sew the garment for yourself. This is also a Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique design. I didn't know that she designed patterns as well. It doesn't have the bubble skirt, but the bodice is really close.
Check out patternreview.com if you have any questions about sewing or would love to challenge yourself and enter a contest. They are always posting new contests and challenges for anyone who would like to participate.
Here is Rosemary wearing her new Easter Dress. She is so proud!
Love, Rachel