Silk Chiffon
I have been busy with Daisy's junior bridesmaid's dress. A bodice and underskirt of heavy satin, and a silk chiffon overskirt. I've never worked with silk chiffon before--I wouldn't call it relaxing. Clara is hand-rolling the bottom hem, thank goodness.
I haven't ever fitted Daisy before for a *serious* dress, and I learned all kinds of things about her skeletal structure. For instance, she has Clara's out-there shoulder blades. There are fewer internet articles than you might think about altering for protruding shoulder blades on a thin figure.
Also, her shoulders are set very far forwards. I don't exaggerate when I say that I drafted the bodice for her *eight times* in flannel to get the fit right.
She'd better not grow in the next three weeks.
10 comments:
It looks gorgeous Anna, I admire your patience and perseverance but I'd urge Daisy to leave her growing until next month. ;)
Oh wow! What a challenge,but one I'm sure you'll accomplish well. It looks beautiful so far! Christina
I recently made the Leisl dress using silk chiffon and agree about it not being relaxing to work with - it stretches a lot. I can't wait to see all of your wedding creations! Yours so talented and original.
What gorgeous fabric. She'll look adorable!
When I hemmed Annie's flower girl dress last year, the hand-rolling was not happening for me (it was an organza overlay, so perhaps the silk chiffon will behave better). And my rolled hem foot experimenting was disastrous. The solution was a wonderful technique that saved my skin,and that I will absolutely use again--such a nice clean finish. Clara's skills are surely superior to mine, but just in case the chiffon is unruly, I give you this:
http://www.sewcountrychick.com/make-a-tiny-18-inch-couture-hem-for-sheer-fabrics/
I salute you on the fitting! And the dress looks beautiful...what a lovely color.
I made my daughter's high school graduation dress from silk chiffon over satin just a year ago,and my...the fraying and slippage whilst working with it! A challenge for sure, but as you have doubtless found, a beautiful end product. Daisy will look lovely!
It looks like it's too late for this project, but a sneaky trick for working with silk chiffon: instead of only pinning the pieces, outline just inside the pattern using quilter's tape (1/4" or whatever masking tape) while the fabric is flat and squared on the floor (or sewing table or bed or whatever you use to lay out patterns) and then cut around the outside of the tape, sew inside the tape line, and then remove the tape. Less squirminess and stretching.
Can't help with hemming, though. That just has to be suffered through. :-)
Seafoam is a very retro color, isn't it? And you are definitely queen of the invisible zipper; I just cannot master it. I look forward to seeing the whole dress
Lisateresa
The dress will be beautiful when finished. I am sure that the project is a difficult one, but I have faith that you can do it.
Beautiful color! My 10 year old daughter has the same shoulder blade issue--she fondly calls them her batwing shoulders. Ha!
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