getting started

[jennylafleur]

I started on my ETD evening gown in earnest yesterday. I had piddled around with it last week but yesterday I actually did some fitting.


Since I’m building this gown from the inside out I started with the bodice foundation, using the lining from the Lady Maude Warrender gown found in Arnold's Patterns of Fashion. Using patterns from Arnold is always interesting because those patterns are taken from extant garments that were fitted to a specific figure. This bodice had a really interesting shape (that was nothing like mine!) and a pretty dramatic waist to bust ratio. So lots of adjustments, albeit simple ones.


I tried fitting from the front to the back but found that fitting from the back to front was more accurate. Also much easier to fit on oneself! I transferred all the markings, cut and stitched a new toile and that was as far as I got...

Comments

[rebecca817.livejournal.com]

So, why was it easier fitting from back to front rather than from front to back? Just curious....I look forward to seeing it.

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

Because my arms reach the front better than the back! :>

Thanks!

[elegant-musings.livejournal.com]

Looking good so far! I've been mulling over Arnold and Waugh lately, trying to figure out if I want to draft the lining for my gown or drape it. I know I'm probably going to drape the outer bodice/skirt, but haven't decided about the fitted lining. Decisions!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

I think it's about the same amount of work in the end so really its whichever technique you are more comfortable with, or feel like dealing with at the moment I think. :P

[koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com]

I would love to see how Lady Maud was built. I made it exact, and the waist fit perfectly but the bust? Wow. I could've fit two basketballs in there. I must've taken over a foot out. I meant to take a picture of the enlarged versus my pattern, but forgot before throwing the original out.

And yay! Progress!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

I did the same thing - fit the pattern to the waist and kept the orginial bust proportions - wow is right! Very impressive really.