Since my daughter has outgrown her beloved first ever draped 18th century gown in lavender, she’s hinted that she’s ready for the pink and white striped gown.
FABRIC
A few years ago, I purchased 100% cotton fabric, like my yellow striped gown, the fabric of which has a lovely light and airy feel and drape.
Originally not impressed by the pink I chose, she asked that it be left in the fabric closet until she was ready.
Preferring contemporary fabrics to historic, she’s slowly grown to like certain period accurate fabrics.
Now she likes the pink fabric with narrow stripes!
Since the stripes are quite narrow, the fabric appears as a solid from the distance, as does my gown.
While she’s been busily attending college classes, I secretly draped her gown on the dress form, based off measurements from her more recent white floral on blue English back gown, which I made four years ago.
Why not?
DRAPED ON DRESS FORM
Since I knew I’d have more time now than waiting for later, I decided to take the challenge…then surprise her for her upcoming birthday!
Initially, I put her blue gown on my dress form to check for fit, so I could drape the pink gown on it based on placement of the blue gown.
Also, I tried the blue gown on myself for fit.
Although I’m taller than my daughter, we pretty much fit width-wise.
For the sleeves, I tried on the pink bodice to check for sleeve fit after draping on the dress form.
I also compared everything with measurements taken from the blue gown.
HANDSEWN
While I sewed the gown, this fabric reminded me of pink soda-licious frothiness.
Of course, all the pink works for Valentines Day…the day upon which I finished the gown, apart from the trim!
It’s so pretty she should wear it to a ball!
And it was certainly fun to handstitch all the loveliness while watching the Olympics!
After trimming the gown, I gift wrapped and presented it to my daughter for her birthday.
She was quite pleased!
EPILOGUE – MAY 3, 2014
And now with the near completion of her college semester, she was ready to try on the gown for a photo op!
For more photos, check my Flickr set.
COMMENTS FROM MY OLD BLOG
Rebecca – February 14, 2014 at 11:16 PM – Oh, this is soooo pretty and delicate and feminine. I love this fabric, and it’s going to look so pretty with her pink-trimmed hat. Miss C is going to be SO surprised!!!! 🙂
