Thread: Making an oriental dress from scratch

Hello! Who has made an oriental dress from scratch? I would like to make a naked dress, but I am not sure where to start. I am a pretty good seamstress and have made dresses before. Tell me what I need to know...and post pics! Thanks! ..g.:

Not that I've done it, but I would get a pattern for an evening gown or long sheath dress that's suitable for a stretch fabric, and then I'd probably make it a size smaller than my regular dress size (relying of course on measuring as well) for a close fit.

If you're going to bead on stretch fabric in places that will be stretched while the dress is worn, you need to have the fabric stretched while you do the beading so the threads won't break when there's a body in the dress. You could use a dress form, or come up with something to put inside the dress to stretch it out while you're working on it.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say . . .

Rosette

I'm making one at the moment, goldy-naked.
I bought a bra and sewed it in, I didn't use a pattern, but just kind of cut the dress how I thought it should fit. Then took it in a lot more than I thought I would have to!







By the way I haven't finished beading it yet, about 1/3rd way through. I plan on doing twisty beading down the outside of the sheer parts. (There's a zip in the back too)

Originally Posted by Rosette

Not that I've done it, but I would get a pattern for an evening gown or long sheath dress that's suitable for a stretch fabric, and then I'd probably make it a size smaller than my regular dress size (relying of course on measuring as well) for a close fit.

If you're going to bead on stretch fabric in places that will be stretched while the dress is worn, you need to have the fabric stretched while you do the beading so the threads won't break when there's a body in the dress. You could use a dress form, or come up with something to put inside the dress to stretch it out while you're working on it.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say . . .

Rosette

Undoubtedly this is the right track. The key has to be getting spandex in the right weight (not too thin, not too thick) and color, so it doesn't just look like a tan dress. Are you going for one of the designs where there is a fuller skirt of a different color at the bottom?

I suspect the design of the decorated portions is key, so the audience never feels like they might be about to see something they shouldn't! Good luck! Looking forward to see what you come up with!

I'm not a seamstress (but I've hired some good ones!) - I had a sheath dress made out of swimsuit material - stretchy, and heavy enough to cover and have some "hang" to it - not just cling.

My advice would be to spring for some quality fabric with a decent lycra content. In other words, not something from JoAnn fabric. I never see quality fabric at those kinds of places.

Also, I would make a mockup using cheaper stretch fabric (like something from JoAnn). Use a wide basting stick. Make adjustments to it and then take it apart and use it as your pattern. Then you can make mulitple dresses using a custom fitted pattern.

Thanks y'all for your help. I bought this:

I plan to use C.

What is the pattern number on that one? I have a dress cut out using this one: B5542 | Misses' Dress | Evening | Butterick Patterns

Leaving one of the princess seams in the font open for a slit. I love sweetheart necklines.

Oh, should've posted a link. Neue Mode Avantgarde V23307 - 23307V

And I'm trying to figure out how a slit would work with this pattern...

I made one using a beledi dress pattern. The dress would have been an unfitted rectangle but I turned it inside out, put it on inside out, and pinned the side so that it was fitted to me perfectly... then sewed where I had pinned it. I made a couple mesh cuttouts too. Wish I had pictures of that one to show you. I don't have a dress form, so I used a cardboard box to keep the fabric stretched while I beaded the midsection.

I've been playing with idea for making a dress for over a year now - I have many ideas but not one that is complete, so I won't even buy the fabric yet. I want it to be a naked dress, too, with mesh fabric all over and lycra / beads covering what needs to be covered.
It seems like one of the easiest thing would be if I have someone sew me a dress out of powernet fabric and then I decorate it. This way I can't mess it up:)) But not sure yet...

God I wish I knew how to read a pattern. I have been toying with making a dress to and would probley end up with my usual sewing methods which is cut it the way I think it should be and then alter, alter, alter.

By the way, where do you all buy the mesh for the cut outs? Or do you just use body stockings that are laying around?

Originally Posted by Linnyg

By the way, where do you all buy the mesh for the cut outs? Or do you just use body stockings that are laying around?

You can by the thin, simple stuff at Joann's or Hancock Fabric...For a fun and/or thicker variety: Spandex World Inc. spandex fabric, lycra stretch fabric

Making a dress is actually harder than doing a 2 piece or bra/belt. I've made lots and lots of dresses and the most important thing to consider is the bra. Does it go inside it? Outside it? Do you sew the dress to the underbust? And then where are you putting your zipper? Do you have a full back? You have to really think about these construction issues. Making the basic shape and decorating it is the easy part.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

You can by the thin, simple stuff at Joann's or Hancock Fabric...For a fun and/or thicker variety: Spandex World Inc. spandex fabric, lycra stretch fabric

If I wanted to bead on to it, should I go with something thicker? I just imagine runs from the needle punctures.

I made a dress once using a Sugar Petals body stocking as a base. I sewed a trumpet skirt of crushed velvet with some extra fabric extending up in the front (where I wanted the fabric to go across my stomach diagonally to meet the as yet-non-existent bra) but did not make a casing in the top, put on the body stocking and pinned them together right on my body where I wanted everything to go. Then I had a matching bra that I put on separately. I also applied some sequined appliques in strategic places. I know you ladies may think this is crazy or making this up, but I was doing this last minute and so everything was held together with safety pins, I carefully took everything off and put in some additional pins - allowing spaces for stretching- and wore it, I actually got lots of compliments on it, LOL. (No photos, but I wore it at the Bonner Theatre with Cory Zamora, she can attest.) I meant to sew it together eventually but just shoved it in the closet and one day I wanted to use the body stocking for something else, so I just took it apart.

Anyway, I have made lots of regular dresses in my day, but if I was going to really make a dance dress with a partial nude effect, I would start with a body stocking and add on top of it (allowing for stretch when stitching).

-Devora

Originally Posted by Linnyg

By the way, where do you all buy the mesh for the cut outs? Or do you just use body stockings that are laying around?

Yup! I can usually find mesh at hancock fabrics too. Sometimes the color selection is good... sometimes it's bad... just depends on the week.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

Oh, should've posted a link. Neue Mode Avantgarde V23307 - 23307V

And I'm trying to figure out how a slit would work with this pattern...

You could turn it into a princess seamed dress. it would take a bit of playing with the pattern to do it, but it's not all that difficult.

What about Simplicity 3501 Sewing Patterns : Simplicity Patterns : Misses Special Occasion Dresses? The skirt is a bit full, but it has two options (and instructions!) for cut outs already, and a top that is conducive to installing bra cups and a reinforcing shelf without obvious lines.