Empire Dress

This was surprisingly easier than I thought it would be to drape. I found this fabric for $1/yard. I really like the pattern on the fabric. I'm hoping to be able to use this pattern for the dress I'm sewing for my couture class. I used a dart at the bust to control the excess fabric. It turns that making a dart in that angle in that proximity creates something of a Madonna pointed bra look. Which was something I wasn't trying to achieve. You can see it if you look really closely. When I have more time I'll convert the dart to gathers to soften the point.














This is Cheeky Monkey modeling the dress for me. I was surprised it fit her. But the fabric has a slight stretch to it, so it was only hard to zip at the band. Now who should I give it too. I guess gonna come down to whoever looks best in it, the only way to really decide.

Tako Shirt

Even in the midst of all my draping I still have time for some fun projects. Here is a quick project that wasn't planned at all. I've been trying to convince Grip N Flip about the greatness of screen printing with freezer paper.

It was hard to find freezer paper in my area but finally the Wal-Mart (I know it's evil but I have my reasons for shopping there) closest to my house stocked it.

Up until recently Grip N Flip and I were screen printing with nylons & glue. Which is also a good method, but for a quick and dirty screen print method for a more impetuous crafting moments this is great.

I found this picture on deviantART by Vieje of a cute Tako (that's japanese for octopus). It had the clean lines and cute features I was looking for.



I had an old t-shirt that I wasn't using anymore. After screen printing the shirt we decided to cut it up to make it more Tako worthy.



Here's Grip N Flip wearing the Tako Shirt. And the black/white glove was something I made her randomly months ago. I think this was a great break from my draping projects. It's nice to not have to sit and think so hard on a project once in a while. Fun and random!!

Gathered Neck Shirt

Our second project in Draping class is the gathered neck shirt. Or in my professors words' "how to control excess fabric." Since I had such a hard time with the slippery fabric of the cowl neck, I stuck with a simple cotton this time. I was semi inspired with this random picture my professor had passed around for inspiration. It didn't turn out exactly as I had envisioned.

I think the problem lies with the material and design. My inspiration picture was made from a knit (t-shirt type material) and my cotton is obviously a completely different material. It's a little too puffy at the bottom. I'm going to release the banding on the bottom and leave it free flowing before I give it away, the either Grip N Flip or Cheeky Monkey (aka Sailor Venus). Depends who looks better in it. Overall I really liked how this shirt turned out. I also really like the design on the fabric, you can't beat $1/yard.

Cowl Neck Shirt

My first official project for my Draping Class. Our challenge the cowl neck. This was sort of a disaster. I don't work well with slippery fabric. But I was lazy and happen to have some around the house. I didn't think it would be that hard. I guess I'll chalk it up to experience and try harder next time.


If you look closely I didn't even sew up the side seams.