FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
A Wish Your Heart Makes
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
photographers Geneva Harrison and Hadley Parsons
Outline the story …
This time Cinderella's ball-gown was even more beautiful than on the first evening. I was made of pale blue satin, with floating overskirts of pale blue net, embroidered with silver thread. Her pale blue slippers were embroidered in silver, and silver stars sparkled in her hair." pp. 32
This is a quote from "Cinderella" retold for easy reading by Vera Southgate MA BCom published by Ladybird Books Loughborough. This book and the story of Cinderella has always enchanted me. I took inspiration for my rendition of the famous blue ball gown from this description as well as the 2015 Disney live action Cinderella dress designed by Sandy Powell, the original artwork of the animated Disney Cinderella, and the art work released for the Disney x Colourpop Midnight Masquerade palette and doll. I wanted the shape of the dress to be styled after the mid to late 1860's with stylistic elements taken from various Victorian ball gowns and other renditions of Cinderellas dress on film, TV, and in art. Although I had several sources of inspiration I had no set plan for the exact design and so was able to include different details throughout the construction process. Some elements that ended up in the final dress such as the ruffle at the back and the cartridge pleats around the skirt happened because of mistakes I adapted.
Outline the construction…
My materials were all bought from my local fabric store and thrift shops. The gown consists of a thrifted bed sheet lining, thrifted ribbon for the boning channels, synthetic boning, polyester satin, a flowy polyester woven material (no description given on receipt), pearl glitter mesh, bridal embroidered mesh, iridescent ribbon, thrifted piping, and around 1000 hand applied sequin embellishments on the lace layer of the skirt. I drew lots of instruction and inspiration from articles on Foundations Revealed, extant garments on Pinterest, sewing instruction books, and watching lots and lots of YouTube videos. I found in learning new techniques like box pleating, cartridge pleating, pad stitching, flat lining, and piping application I could incorporate them into the construction of my gown and add new design elements I had learned. I definitely had difficulty with the drape and stretch of certain fabrics and getting them to hang correctly on the skirt while being economic in my fabric usage was extremely challenging. Being able to find large blocks of time to work on this project was also tough because I am in University full time and work a part time job.
Beautiful dress and the pearls are a romantic touch. So flowy and dreamy.
Thank you so much! I wanted to have the layers of the skirt separate so that they could move and flow together 🙂
You and your dress… a beautiful Cinderella!
thank you so much! you are so so kind
Beautiful! I love the touch with the beading in the sleeves!
I wasn’t quite sure how I wanted to do the bertha collar but I am happy with how it turned out 🙂
Your dress looks gorgeous! The pears added a beautiful touch and the trim is just stunning! Love it!
🥰💚
I was so pleased to find the pearl mesh! It adds a lovely fanciness without being crazy expensive! thank you so much 🙂
The video in motion is so lovely.
Slo-mo really is the perfect way to capture all of the layers moving together!
That blue ruffle peaking at the bottom just put a smile on my face ❤ Your dress looks lovely and is so flattering on you.
thank you so much you are so kind! I actually had to add the ruffle because I cut the layer too short! So it turned out to be a happy accident 😀
I have that very book you quoted from and used to love that blue dress in the picture as a child! You’ve done beautifully.
Thank you so very much Sarah! for some reason the website won’t let me reply to your comment but it is appreciated nonetheless!
You look so beautiful 💕
I don’t have words
I absolutely love the details on the hem and also the pretty lining! Well done!
This is simply gorgeous! Lovely construction and design! Thank you!
Such a stunning dress! You truly look at home in it. Fabulous job!