Order your costume early! I'm currently booked 2 months in advance.

Order your costume early! I'm currently booked 3 months in advance.

(6/15/2013 -Sorry for the continuing lack of updates/e-mail responses. Despite a mole being a small thing, it can involve a lot of blood when on top of one's head. I've been to the doctor twice this week and then last night to the ER. I'm going to be fine, but I'm kind of out of commission for the time being. Everyone's costumes are going to get done on time, but I probably won't be able to respond to e-mails for a bit.)

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Rainbow Dash Ballgown Part 1

Towards the end of June I got a rush commission for the local comic book/geek convention. It was my most unusual project so far, but pretty fun and the first piece of mine to go to a convention! 

My customer is a fan of the show "My Little Pony" (it's actually legit fun, don't laugh!), and wanted a dress that evoked the look of the character Rainbow Dash. She found this Reference Art (By ponymonster) piece of art to use as a guideline and I thought it was doable. 



This project was my first time using a new method of pattern-making... the duct tape method. It actually worked surprisingly well and I got a very nice fit - absolutely essential for a strapless dress!



Pretty self-explanatory, but if you want more detail you can check out the video I linked to above.


Bodice is stitched and I'm draping the petticoat.


I had only a select amount of ribbon, so I had to be careful to match the hem's size to it exactly.


Looking nifty...


Then I sewed the rainbow.


And draped it...

And draped it some more... I'll be honest, I was not thrilled with the method I used here. If I'd had more time or been commissioned to do a more exact replica, I would have gotten different fabric (chiffon or organza) and cut it out differently. However, after a couple hours of fussing, I got a workable drape.


I love this boning. You can just sew it down directly to the wrong side of the lining. No messing about with pockets and tubes and bias tape.



I used six strips of boning, laying two on the center back, two on the front, and one on each side. It was exactly the right amount.



Aren't we getting a lovely bodice shape emerging here?

Next: see the bodice finished, the details added, and what the final ensemble is accessorized with!

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