Copyright AriaAustin, 1999 - 2010, all rights reserved.
Aria's Blood Red/Dying Gown In the Making
Times two! Yes, I am making two of these gowns, basic versions, simultaneously. This gown is also known as the "Blood red" gown, after the sleeves.
The sizes are very close, and the only differences between the two will be color and train. One is of black panne velvet overdyed navy, and the other is navy panne velvet overdyed black. The black will have a train, the navy won't.
The first step is to do some dying! I'm not really going to take a picture of fabric in my washing machine. Delicate cycle and tumble dry, but I will not recommend these gowns be washed. Dry-clean or spot-clean.
Then the neck bands of the over-gowns are also painted before being cut out. (Lightened to try to show detail.)
The band at the necklines of the over-gowns is cut to shape, not on the bias. Bias-cutting would only allow the weight of the velvet to pull and stretch it out of shape. The top edges of each band are finished.
The sizes are very close, and the only differences between the two will be color and train. One is of black panne velvet overdyed navy, and the other is navy panne velvet overdyed black. The black will have a train, the navy won't.
The first step is to do some dying! I'm not really going to take a picture of fabric in my washing machine. Delicate cycle and tumble dry, but I will not recommend these gowns be washed. Dry-clean or spot-clean.
Then the neck bands of the over-gowns are also painted before being cut out. (Lightened to try to show detail.)
The band at the necklines of the over-gowns is cut to shape, not on the bias. Bias-cutting would only allow the weight of the velvet to pull and stretch it out of shape. The top edges of each band are finished.
The front and back of each gown is cut close to the body, but not form fitting. Each is attached to the band entirely by hand to keep stitches from being seen on the front while the back is also finished. Under the arms are finished with rolled edges and hand-tacked under.
The hem is cut to the correct length and roll-hemmed.
The upper sleeves of each are cut and hand-painted with gold before cutting. I also cut one not yet painted for comparison.
Then they are cut and seamed. The lower sleeves of each are slightly more than half-ovals. Interestingly, the seams of the original are on top of the arms, so I have places the seams in the same locations. The hems are again rolled. Each is attached to the upper sleeves with the seams to the outside rather than inside. The same gold lace as before is attached by hand to the sleeves, covering the seams.
The wide band at the necklines of the short under-gowns are cut from the paisley fabric. As with the bands of the over-gowns, only the tops of these bands are finished for now.
The body of each is cut to fit, a bit closer than the over-gowns, seamed, attached to the bands the same way the bodies of the over-gowns are attached to the neck bands.
The body and sleeves are sewn together.
The neckline is attached by hand.
Then the lace is attached by hand. Thanks to another hard drive crash, I do not have pictures of this step.
Something about the gowns didn't feel right enough. After sitting there staring at the black one for a couple hours, it hit me. The gold lace was too bland.
The gowns need heavy gold braid and jewels.
The gowns need heavy gold braid and jewels.
A heavy snap is attached to the neck straps of the over-gowns and the inner edge of the short black under-gown to keep the straps in place, and the navy gown is connected by hand along the straps to keep it in place. A hook and eye is also used for a French bustle on the black gown.
Each is nit-picked over to find any flaws, loose threads, etc.. When there are none, each gown is complete and ready to be shipped!
Copyright AriaAustin, 1999 - 2010, all rights reserved.