Monday, January 24, 2011

Style 103

This design was inspired by the classic film "Rear Window" starring Grace Kelly. It is one of the two cocktail dresses designed by Edith Head for the film.






Bodice and lining are stitched at the neckline and armholes.



This is not a very good picture, but I am trying to show how the underarm seams are stitched.


Pressing the armhole.


The first branch of the leaf is drawn on the skirt with disappearing ink. Notice how it does not fall into the folds of the gathers.


Start at the waist and hide the knot in the seam.



I used a stem stitch and stitched down the marking.



At the end of the branch.



WRONG SIDE OF THE SKIRT

Backtrack up the branch by sliding the needle and floss through the stitches on the wrong side of the skirt.


Starting another branch.



At the end of the second branch, backtrack up the skirt to make the next branch.



Work your way back up the branch.



Beads are sewn with clear nylon thread so they don't show on the right side.



Painted belt buckles drying.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Style 102

This design was inspired by the classic film "Rear Window" starring Grace Kelly.





I wish the pictures were a little better.

Left and right shoulders/sleeves with the ends pressed up


Shoulder placement on bodice


Hand stitching the shoulders to the bodice. Make sure the lining doesn't poke out of the seam.


Tacking the shoulders at the ends


Satin collar being hand stitched onto the neckline.


Collars knotted at the center of the dress and knot is covered by a little bit of satin ribbon.


Ends of collars are tucked into the openings in the side seams.




Painted belt buckles drying