FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
All hail the Queen of the Night!
(click images to to enlarge)
Outline the story …
A cruel despote or a loving mother, she reigns, as beautiful and dark as the Night sky, with a magical voice that can both plead for help and order the death of her enemy!
As one of my favourite childhood fairy tales (I had an audiotape adaptation), the Magic Flute has fascinated me with its beautiful music and strange characters. I decided to embody the Queen of the Night as I particularly loved her famous Aria, before I was even able to understand it.
This theme oriented first my choice of colour palette: dark blues and golds to emulate the night sky, a cape and a train to look more regal, a tiara to outshine the stars…
I decided to go with an early Edwardian silhouette, drawing inspirations from several 1900s gowns, as my goal for this design was to act as a mockup for my wedding dress (I am particularly in love with a gown from the Worth photo album, shared by Cathy Hay on her blog 10 years ago: this is my dream wedding dress). I love the bodice construction method of having draped panels over a tightly fitted lining. I also find early Edwardian skirts very flattering.
Outline the construction…
For the corset, I used the TVE01 pattern and graded between different sizes: it was my first time doing this and required a bit of trial and errors to get a smooth fit.
I then drafted the bodice pattern using a historical drafting method. I definitely recommend reading all the instructions, getting a friend to help measure your body and using gridded paper, even with a random square size (gift wrap paper is good and my discarded first draft was reused at Christmas). I had to start over, but got one of the best fitting pattern I ever used on a first mockup.
I made the base bodice out of drill fabric, with a front hook and eye closure and covered the front with two panels crossing and some gathered fabric just under the neckline. My goal was to use only fabric and notions from my stash or second hand so I used some leftover dark blue velvet from my Anastasia dress, gold napkins from a charity shop and gold lace from an antique market.
I used the last of my velvet to join in the back and a large gold applique (also leftover from a previous project), which gets framed by the scarf I used as a cape for a regal look.
The skirt is constructed using the TV291 pattern, but with longer and wider back panels. The additional train and front panel were last minute additions to hide the hook-and-eyes to bustle the back of the skirt.
I just love a night themed gown. The corset gives you a stunning silhouette and the hidden closure in the bodice is amazing. A dress truly fit for a queen
Thank you!
I absolutely lobe the astrology /star sky moment for this dress, I am very excited to see your wedding dress. This silhouette is atriking on you and the colours are magical.
Thanks! I love the Edwardian silhouette and I hope to make more outfits from that era
Gorgeous dress
Thanks!
Great dess and colour. Despite your inspiration, it reminds me a lot of Anastacia the animated film.
Thanks! The scarf I used as a cape was from my Anastasia blue dress, same as the leftover blue velvet so I guess it’s not too far
Beautifully realised design, you’ve done an incredible job! It looks out of this world!
Thanks!