Thursday, March 4, 2010

Muslin, anyone?

I feel terrible.  All of you have goodies and fun stuff to show me, but I came to the party empty-handed.
No, wait... I have something in my pocket here... but it's boring, so prepare yourself!

Cotton muslin. Don't hurt yourself ooh-ing and ahh-ing.

We had our first fitting yesterday, and she is beyond excited, which is always good!  I've got to take the corset foundation piece in quite a bit, but that's no big deal.  We've got until mid-May, and she hasn't picked out fabric yet, so we are doing fine on time!
The skirt is cut on the bias and is more fitted than the envelope shows, so there's no "maternity look", which would be tragic at prom.
The bodice has a foundation corset underneath that is boned and fitted to hold the dress up.  I'm using the Threads issue from this summer/fall about strapless dresses and Susan Khalje's "Bridal Couture" book for guidance!
She wants a "non-shiny" fabric.  In the formal wear arena, that should be tricky.  The skirt pieces are HUGE, so much so that the pattern envelope only offers yardage requirements for 60" wide.  So if anyone should know of a non-shiny and wide fabric, please let me know!  Actually, my swatches from Fabric.com came today, so I'm hoping she likes the crepe back satin...

Meanwhile, I am going to re-do the corset in a double layer of red cotton, and make it nice and snug. I'm going to re-fit her again to make it perfect before attaching it to the dress.  Can't afford any "wardrobe malfunctions", ya know?  There's also too much fullness in those front gathers (under the knot), so I'm gonna mess with that, too.  Still working on good ole Martha, and she's doing a great job.  No new part yet.

I've got a few other irons in the fire, but am just too tired to type another word tonight! So, check back Sunday... I have something pretty to show you, I swear!  I've got a knit dress that's going to be wonderful...

18 comments:

Gail said...

Don't you love how demanding daughters can be? Your muslin looks pretty good despite requests for no oohing and aahing.

KID, MD said...

I can't wait to see this dress! The muslin looks great!

Karen said...

It looks great, really. My daughter chose a bias-cut dress, too, and I found 60" widths among the "curtain" dept of Joann's (our only option here); but we were able to make a 54" fabric work by slashing pattern pieces in non-visible areas for the final product. (I posted a blog about it on my site...http://flamingoks.blogspot.com/2009/05/bridesmaids-dress-1st-pass.html

Bunny said...

I immediately thought of crepe back satin. Could the long tie be the shiny side, accentuating height? as far as the fit under the know, I would be tempted to pull that section up further into the bodice seamline. You can see it sort of dragging in the side view. Now this could be totally different on her actual body, so wait till she tries it on.

Bunny said...

Meant to say bow, not know. I am sure you all got it, though.Was that a rhyme?

Unknown said...

Yes, the fit on her was totally different, she's much thinner than my dressform! We are also raising the seamline of the bodice top for modesty. I hope she likes the crepe back satin, keep your fingers crossed for me...

bubbygigi said...

I love the style of this gown and could see it made in silk charmuese on the dull side. It would flow beautifully and feel like a nightgown. And yes, daughters can be demanding. I have one, I know but I love her dearly. Gigi

Michelle said...

That is looking great!!

Maryissewfast said...

I love working with crepe backed satin...such nice body...hope she likes it too!!!

Nancy K said...

This is going to be gorgeous.

Meg said...

I know you don't want to hear it, but chiffon is big for this year's prom dresses. That would solve the "non-shiny" request. Me too, I think this is looking great; love seeing your progress.

Kim said...

It'll be beautiful. My mom made all my formal gowns in High School. If she doesn't like the fabric you have, I can check out Fabric Gallery by me. I'll be over in Davisburg on Sunday at the Spring Oaks Activity Center. That's near you, isn't it?

Mariela Alethia said...

Muslin looks goods, can't wait for the dress

Aminat said...

I am waiting eagerly to seeing the finishe dress. have a good weekend

amber said...

The muslin looks so good! I can't wait to see it in the fashion fabric.

Laura Lee said...

you inspire me!

angie.a said...

I have a pebbly textured georgette in deep red that is gorgeous. It's matte and beautifully drapey like georgette, but not slippery like chiffon. I don't know if you could find something similar (and it would require something opaque for lining) but there's a different suggestion ni case she doesn't care for your swatches. :) I got it at a discount table somewhere a LONG time ago.

sanjeet said...

I can't wait to see this dress! The muslin looks great!
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