All Together

Here it is. It's all together. The only thing left is the pearl detailing around the bodice and sleeves. I'm so exhausted and relieved to have gotten so much done in such a short time. My concept started in November, pattern alteration and testing took a week or two to figure out, construction took maybe five days in total, but most of that was done in only two or three very long days.

But I'm very pleased, and I hope you like it. I sure do.

Finishing Up

Here is the back. I added eyelets and a ribbon as the closure instead of a zipper like the pattern called for. I want it to look realistic. Inside I added a piece to cover the back where the lacing gaps.

To get the tiered look in the skirt, I made a strip to sew it to.

This is the effect it created.

Sleeves

I created my pattern for the sleeves by using the original sleeve pattern to the dress pattern I'm using along with another dress pattern I have that has long sleeves. It worked out wonderfully.

Under the lapel is my detail ruching with the lace and strips of the velvet.

 This is the sleeve lining. I hand sewed into the bodice lining to hide the ugly raw edges.

Construction

I've been working on the velvet bodice. The lapel I added has been challenging to pattern and construct, but I think I've got it.

Here is the bodice all sewn together.

I experimented with adding the gold ruched detail to the bodice to see how it looked.

I put together the gold inner skirt. I also bought myself a hoop-skirt which I've always wanted. 

It really gives the skirt that extra touch, and it's really fun.

Construction Begins

I have begun to sew my gown together. This is the lining and interlining as well as the finished front. There is boning built into the bodice to get the shape of a corseted body without my having to actually make a corset, which I would like to do someday. Doing it this way is much easier and cheaper. I have pictured below views of the bodice outside and inside.

These three pictures are of the finished front and views of the interlining and boning that strengthen and shape the garment .

This picture is of the lining of the inside of the bodice. It makes me think of Iron Man or should I say Iron Woman, but its the lining and no one will actually see it.

Pattern Testing and Modifying

Here I made a mock of the pattern I'm using. The pattern is Simplicity 4092. I also wanted to add some of my own design elements to the dress as you can see in the lapel and the skirt and the sleeve, which I borrowed and modified from a different dress pattern. I also added some details to see the effect it would have on the overall look.

 Conceptual Ideas

Here I draped and pinned my fabric over my dress-form to get an overall idea about what I was going to do and add to my design.