12.30.2018

The 24 Hour Gown.

The 24 Hour Gown.

Don't you hate it when sewing bloggers take super wide shots that make it impossible to see any details? 

The 24 Hour Gown.

So aggravating.

The 24 Hour Gown.

This riot of poinsettias is just over a year old, according to Instagram, and has actually been worn on multiple occasions, the first of which was the NY Sewcial last January. I actually made her the day before that fête! The evening was billed as a fancy affair, but it was terrible outside--mounds of city beaten snow piled high on the streets, the kind of winter weather where one taps out on dressing up...but, you know me. AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH TO KEEP ME FROM A GOWN. I threw on my knee-high harness boots, and got to stomping. 


This dress was made for boots, actually...in these woodsy southern shots, there's fringed cowboy boots under that thar skirt.


Not that you can see the boots. Or any details, as aforementioned. Fa la la la la, lemme get you a close-up.


There she is! She's draped, dontcha know. When you want to make something in 24 hours, you drape. At least, you drape if you're pigheaded like me. It's quicker in my world, because in my world, I am the Supreme Ruler Of Everything, and am therefore the Supreme Authority On EVERYTHING, and as such, spend so much time tweaking someone else's pattern, that I run out of time. (The pattern is usually just fine in the first place, see: pigheaded.)

So, draping! Less delusion, more doing. 


The only seam on this pleated skirt is at center back. The pleats made it possible to do away with side seams, which made me absolutely giddy!! I hollered about it to any sewist within earshot. 


CB is where the exposed zip lives. The zip is a super cool lace edged jammy, which of course you can't see. Mea culpa. Perhaps you can make out the godet under the zipper? I threw her in for walking ease, and lemme tell you, after navigating those snowy streets, I can say for sure she WORKS.


I also used my new favorite boning: Rigilene (affiliate link, google if that's not your jam!).  

Ok you spiral steel purists! I KNOW, I KNOW. This plastic stuff is ridiculously pedestrian when compared to its richer sister! But I've always leaned towards a mix of high and low 😬This stuff is cuttable with regular scissors, sealable with a little bit of fire, sewable without the need for a separate cover, and inexpensive. Ticks all my boxes. I even threw a small horizontal length of it up at the top of the bodice (just between the princess seams), and ooooooeeeee, does she ever stay where she's supposed to! I could use a couple more lengths right over the vertical princess seams-- I've always been hesitant to use boning over a bust curve, but I did a test of it over the weekend, and it worked an absolute treat. I'll be adding some to all my fancy things!


And you, my friends? Did you make anything fancy for the end of the year? Did I miss it? Do tell, and share...

...and Happy New Year!

18 comments:

  1. Love it! I can see Rigilene would be great for you but would advise others with more support requirements or squish in general to avoid it! This is where it is so true that there's a time and place for every product - it's understanding the purpose and end game that matters. I made a gorgeous strapless bodice for a client once, used Rigilene in a casing for it, and half way through the event, the centre front boning started feeding one of its little rigid pieces up through the seam and into her cleavage. She had too many curves for it to manage and it just went nuts. But back then it was all we could get here! (eep, about 26 years ago!)

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    1. This is excellent to know! My itty & bitty definitely don't have as much curves as others ;).

      I've had that feeding problem with spiral steel too, tho--I find the rigilene so much more comfortable. I love being able to soften the ends of rigilene with a flame. Did you try that with her strapless gown? Doing it reminds me of searing my satin straps for pointe shoes!

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    2. Yup, it all depends I think on how much your body changes when you sit or stand, and women with more squish tend to redistribute dramatically, not so much a bust thing. Once it gets a kink in it you can't get it out. And also, it WAS my bad cos I didn't finish the top of the channel as well as I should have obvs! I never sewed it in as it felt like cheating, but really that is the fun of it eh. AND it's fabulous for other non clothing jobs too. And I am ALWAYS up for anything that uses fire! I still get a kick frmo heat sealing ribbons with a lighter. :)

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  2. Glorious fabric and fabulous gown - I’ll bet it shined under lights!!

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    1. I do looooove this fabric. In fact the dress hangs out by my side of the bed, so I can look at it!

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  3. Gorgeous dress and though I’ve sewn for what feels like forever, I love you sharing the tips..especially about the Rigilene boning. I’ll give it a try! There’s always something new and more to learn!! �� Thanks for your post!

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    1. You're welcome! Isn't that the best thing about this, there's always more to try.

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  4. You always get such a perfect fit!

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    1. Thank you!! I'm definitely prone to over-fitting, so that's nice to hear :)

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  5. Testosterone (now with psychic powers)December 31, 2018 at 12:00 PM

    Fallen leaves,
    where Earth meets sky,
    a radiant blossom,
    passes by.

    To wander as such,
    more booted than zooted,
    from bust line to heel,
    so classically rooted.

    "She makes her own..."
    tongues quick to wag,
    steals the scene,
    ala a sewing jag.

    Eyes a-plenty,
    cover her so,
    there's a script in the mail,
    feels like her own show.

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    1. YOU ARE TOO MUCH!!!!! So, my recently psychically gifted friend, when are you publishing your collection of sewing poems? I want it to be sort of scandalous, with staged paparazzi fashion shoots...

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  6. This is gorgeousness at it best. Well done!

    Kimberly Wilkes

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  7. Beautiful! What a gorgeous fabric. I have not sewn anything for two or three weeks. Time to get back at it.

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  8. That gown is everything. Its perfectly done and the fabric used is just amazing. Love it.

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!