Thread: What would you do with this dress?

I've been dreaming about costume making and then I wake up with a huge headache!
Last night I realized that I had this awesome dress from HS Junior Prom! Haha...and I have matching fringe and velvet that I could use to finish the project!

What do you envision? I'm looking for some better ideas than I've already had. Haha...





I was actually thinking about trying to get a mermaid skirt out of the bottom of it and then using the rest of the top to make a mini belt and bra. Maybe a skinny belt with the drape around the top of the dress put onto the top of the belt. Or maybe I should ditch the idea of making a belt at all and just sew everything directly to the mermaid skirt I make? What do you think? If I did this I'd probably put the zipper on the side and then tie the drape over the zipper after i put it on. Or maybe I could make the skirt decorated enough, but then add a removable belt? anyone ever done this before?
my mind is going a million miles a minute and trying to make 12 different projects out of one stupid dress....
haha.

Does the pink matieral have any give or stretch? If so, I'd use it to make a skirt and sew panels of the lacey matieral inbetween at the bottom and use the rest of the lacey part as rouching for the top of the skirt and a matching bra. Can the drapey part be used as a sash on the hips?
That's what I would do by looking at it and not knowing about the stretch of the material.

me? I would run away as fast as I can for 2 reasons...I would have to get the sewing machine out and it's just to airy fairy for my personality and age group...WWBMW - What would Bett Middler Wear? (and look good in)

Originally Posted by anala

me? I would run away as fast as I can for 2 reasons...I would have to get the sewing machine out and it's just to airy fairy for my personality and age group...WWBMW - What would Bett Middler Wear? (and look good in)

haha you crack me up. Is it too 90s prom dressy for a costume? I'm only 23....wait 24 (since monday) I keep forgetting.... so I don't think I have to worry about my age, but If it's FAIRY maybe I shouldn't try to make the WHOLE costume out of it. maybe just use the crushed lilac velvet for a mermaid skirt and use this as bra/belt covering? Or not at all?

You are making more worried anala!
btw- you need to get over your fear of the sewing machine. It really can do wonderful things- if you're nice to it.

I'm NOT seeing airy fairy at all. I'm seeing long skinny mermaid with lace panel inserts and beautiful scunching on the top of the skirt with the lace and using the same materials for the bra also with schunching (rouching).

Originally Posted by Michelle75

I'm NOT seeing airy fairy at all. I'm seeing long skinny mermaid with lace panel inserts and beautiful scunching on the top of the skirt with the lace and using the same materials for the bra also with schunching (rouching).

thanks michelle. Haha, that helps. The undermaterial isn't really pink, its a lilac with a red tint i guess. Anyhow...there's no stretch. I could make a fitted mermaid, but that'd be hard to move in.
What about the stretch lilac I have next to it? do you think that would work? I could use that and it is 4 way stretch-super stretchy....though I wouldn't sew anything to it like fringe because it wouldn't hold up with a lot of weight.

michelle-
have you ever done this with a skirt? can I see pictures? I think if I used the lace as inserts, I'd put the back material with it to add color because the lace overlay is pretty much plain white.

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

thanks michelle. Haha, that helps. The undermaterial isn't really pink, its a lilac with a red tint i guess. Anyhow...there's no stretch. I could make a fitted mermaid, but that'd be hard to move in.
What about the stretch lilac I have next to it? do you think that would work? I could use that and it is 4 way stretch-super stretchy....though I wouldn't sew anything to it like fringe because it wouldn't hold up with a lot of weight.

OK, is the white stuff stiff or is there some give in it? If so, I'm picturing your lilac material with the white stuff in panels with the pinkish lavendar as a background for the lace (like the style of the skirt below) with your sash knotted on the hip with a LITTLE bit of fringe on the knotted area and than repeat the design on the bra. http://=http://www.dahlal.com/defaul...=1&lpc=1&lpo=1 If it doesn't show up it's under eman listed on page 2 as Med. mystique II

ok...loose the deep blue...and at your age...you can still do sweet. but
i would keep some of the pink satin exposed somewhere to give the costume some textural "bite" if you will. otherwise I think it might just get too matt and frothy.

This is what I'm seeing...
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4eT2qWUltQ"]Taheya Carioca[/ame]

Ok...now that is one of my all time fav looks...but where are you seeing all that swooshy skirt fabric comimg from???

Originally Posted by Michelle75

OK, is the white stuff stiff or is there some give in it? If so, I'm picturing your lilac material with the white stuff in panels with the pinkish lavendar as a background for the lace (like the style of the skirt below) with your sash knotted on the hip with a LITTLE bit of fringe on the knotted area and than repeat the design on the bra. http://=http://www.dahlal.com/defaul...=1&lpc=1&lpo=1 If it doesn't show up it's under eman listed on page 2 as Med. mystique II

so you mean go for something super simple with little fringe and little decorations? that's sounding better already! Less work too. Haha

the white stuff is flowy like typical chiffon so I think it will work perfectly! For the sash/drape design on the skirt, I'm guessing I'd have to leave it pretty loose so that the skirt will pull up over my bum. are you forgetting the rouching idea then?

Thanks for the ideas!

Originally Posted by anala

Ok...now that is one of my all time fav looks...but where are you seeing all that swooshy skirt fabric comimg from???

The dress itself. Perhaps with some modern openings or velvet panels. ,f::

Originally Posted by Azhia

The dress itself. Perhaps with some modern openings or velvet panels. ,f::

what type of material would you use for the belt/sleeves if the bra and skirt are made from this dress?

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

what type of material would you use for the belt/sleeves if the bra and skirt are made from this dress?

Skirt: the dress with gaudettes of light velvet for fullness (or keep mermaid-style and make a swag with the light velvet)
Belt/sash: dark velvet
Top & Epaulettes: light velvet w/ inserts or overlay from dress to tie top & bottom together

Or even a satin in addition to/instead of the velvet.

Originally Posted by jenlindseys

so you mean go for something super simple with little fringe and little decorations? that's sounding better already! Less work too. Haha

the white stuff is flowy like typical chiffon so I think it will work perfectly! For the sash/drape design on the skirt, I'm guessing I'd have to leave it pretty loose so that the skirt will pull up over my bum. are you forgetting the rouching idea then?

Thanks for the ideas!

No, not forgetting. I just didn't know if you liked that idea or not. I think it would look lovely if the hipsash was rouched and the bra too. ..g.:

OR you could use the sash as a connector from the bra cup (Cover one side of the bra with the sash) to the opposite of your belt. So it drapes over your belly at an angle. Know what I mean?

I'm seeing a naked dress!! I'd cut the lining below the bustline and fit it, with a built-in bra inside. Then I'd take the remaining lining fabric and make a hip-hugging mini to wear under, and/or a wide sash to go over.

(or discard the lining and use the lilac stretch to cover a strapless bra & make boy shorts...)

I'm picturing a naughty/nice theme, all white & lacy, maybe with a big ribbony bow at the top & on the hip, and one in your hair.

Inspiration (but my version would have less beadwork, more innocence)
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/bellydance...-shipping.html
scroll down for good pictures.

Check out this: The Belly Dance Store

Use the crushed velvet for the bra and skirt, use the white patterned chiffon rouched on the bra (maybe one cup like this costume) and top of the skirt (or a separate belt), and as inserts in the skirt itself. (I really like that part of the costume in the photo, especially since your chiffon has a pattern to it. Kind of a touch of "naked dress".) Connector thing from bra to belt optional! And I'm not keen on that huge diamond shaped thing on the hip in that photo.

I'm sure you could find room for some Alexandrite or Crystal Aurora on this. www.rhinestonechain.net


OR something simple like Jillina at the beginning of this "On Fire!" clip:[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSzPTw3bg1Q]YouTube - On Fire! The Hottest Bellydance DVD Ever...[/ame]

Use some of the chiffon as an insert where the slit it, maybe use a little on the bra. But I guess otherwise it would mainly be the crushed velvet and some of the fringe. And rhinestones! (See how I'm adding rhinestones to everything? ..g.: )

I would forget the dark blue velvet, I don't think it goes so well, but I'd probably make something along these lines...
The top of the skirt would be rouched, so would need a zip at the back if the pink is non stretch. I'll come up with a couple more design ideas if you like!

Ruth x

oh man! everyone has such different ideas!
thanks ladies. I like the idea of the mermaid with chiffon inserts and the rouching idea with the drape over the tummy is awesome, but I don't know if my body could pull it off. I was hoping to use some of this fringe..and I really like the diamond thing on the belt in that video. I'll see if I can draw up some sketches of an idea that combines a few things :)

Originally Posted by firefly5

I would forget the dark blue velvet, I don't think it goes so well, but I'd probably make something along these lines...
The top of the skirt would be rouched, so would need a zip at the back if the pink is non stretch. I'll come up with a couple more design ideas if you like!

Ruth x

I'm very much loving this! Is the main skirt part the lilac stretch velvet? If so, couldn't I make the rouched section loose enough so that I wouldn't have to zip it? It is so much harder to make a fitted skirt...and between us my hip measurement can change drastically in a week...haha.

firefly- I was imagining something similar but in the oposite direction. The skirt as the dress and the top as the velvet. This would probably make it look less prom dressy though.

the dark velvet is actually a really deep purple. I thought it was blue at the store, but it is def. purple. I like this color better, but I agree- It doesn't go with the theme as well and I def. don't think the fringe looks as cute with it.

actually...now that I think of it, Maybe I should just make the skirt sparate and make the rouched section a belt. That way I could fit it differently if necessary.

A couple more sketches for you!

firefly...you are amazing...did you draw these on the computer?
I will scan in the other sketch I made when I'm home...you're a pretty amazing designer tho.
I like the first one from earlier and the then the first one on this page too. Now I'm trying to decide which would be easier! haha....do you think the velvet would hold up all that fringe alone?

Originally Posted by firefly5

A couple more sketches for you!

Wow those sketches are amazing!!!

OHHHHHH, Fireflys first sketch of the skirt is exactly what I was picturing BUT without the fringe. I would have used the arm drapes she has on the side hip.

I want that program Firefly. What is it?

Originally Posted by Michelle75

I want that program Firefly. What is it?

Ha ha.. l;, ..l;,

I'm afraid the program is mostly my brain!

I drew a quick sketch on paper, then scanned it and after that I used photoshop to add colour. I used sections of the photos jenlindseys posted and put them behind the different areas.

I think I'm going to start doing this every time I have a new costume idea. (well maybe not every time as I think of about 10 a day, but the more serious ones)

firefly5 is brilliant! **said like in Guinness commercial**

Originally Posted by firefly5

Ha ha.. l;, ..l;,

I'm afraid the program is mostly my brain!

I drew a quick sketch on paper, then scanned it and after that I used photoshop to add colour. I used sections of the photos jenlindseys posted and put them behind the different areas.

I think I'm going to start doing this every time I have a new costume idea. (well maybe not every time as I think of about 10 a day, but the more serious ones)

it is a great idea because you can get a feel for what it will look like all together! I like being able to see the color combos on a body before I start cutting things up (even if it is a cartoon). I typically sketch stuff out on paper and color with colored pencils, but I always end up changing things mid-project because of some other hesitation I have.

I think my main problem is that I make everything too complicated/elaborate. I like the look of simple costumes-they are much more classy....but when I start to work on something I want every costume to hold every idea I ever had.....and it gets overwhelming. I really like the way the first sketch comes together with colors, textures, and the simplicity. There aren't rhinestones like crazy on top of loads of fringe and 12 different sequin designs within it all. Haha.

I'm looking forward to playing around with this, though I did just buy an orange costume so I need to make a skirt ASAP! I'm trying to decide if I should buy that silk I've been talking about and venture dying it orange. :)

I'd go with something like firefly's sketches. That's how one of my trumpet skirts is made. The chiffon is where the gords are. Makes a nice poof!