FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Fire
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
photographer: Florian Fuchslechner
Outline the story …
I love reading and sewing. And after sewing a few simple dresses, it was time to challenge myself. One of my favourite books is “Fire”, written by Kristin Cashore. The main character is a young woman and at one point in the book she wears a ball gown, described as a simple dark purple dress, perfectly cut, and well fitted. With this information I started to think about the dress, I would create for Lady Fire. The first image that came to my mind was a gown with lace at the bodice. The next step was changing the colour of the dress from dark purple to a dark blue. Two reasons for this: I personally don’t think that purple goes well with fiery red hair and finding purple lace with matching fabric was impossible. Honestly, it was not easy to find the perfect blue lace either, but I found the perfect one at the end. After I found the lace and matching fabric for it, I started to think about the bodice and skirt. I settled very fast on a floor-length circle skirt with a slight train. The bodice is another story: Originally, I imagined a back, made of lace and a very deep V-neck in the front. As that does not match the description at all, I decided to go for a back made of fabric and put the lace in the front. The final touch: The bodice is closed with hooks and eyes, as said in the book.
Outline the construction…
The dress is constructed as a two-piece-garment and I started with the skirt. I used the pattern 133 of (German) BurdaStyle 11/2019. The seams are finished as French seams. I tried this for the very first time and it went well. The skirt closes with an invisible zipper and the waistband (folds inward while worn) is held in place with three hooks and eyes. The hem is hemmed by hand (all 7,5m of it!). For the bodice I used a pattern 123 (BurdaStyle 5/2019) and I had to extend it by 10 cm at the bottom. I also changed the neckline both in the front and the back: a bit deeper in the front, in the back to a v. And while sewing the bodice one major mistake was made: Instead of sewing the fabric and the lace as one, I decided to finish the bodice without the lace first and add the lace at a later point. Why? I don’t know, but after giving me some time to think, it was not so difficult to add the lace later. The bodice is lined (partly sewn in by hand). The tulle train is stitched on with a few stiches, they can be easily removed.
Materials:
6m of navy blue crushed taffeta, 4m navy blue tulle (both: stoffe.de)
2m of blue lace (Bischoff Textil, St. Gallen/Switzerland)
Fusible interlining, zipper, thread (Wenatex Salzburg)
Spiral steel boning, 5mm (sartor.cz)
Hooks, eyes, lining: leftovers from other projects.
Stunning ! I love the lace on bodice, and the cape/train is beautiful and really adds something to the dress ! Great work !
Thank you for your kind words, Floriane!
I bought the tulle for an other project and I started to play around with it, after I saw that the bluetones machted quite well! Now I think as well that the train just belongs to the dress! 🙂
So beautiful and ethereal, and nice finishing!. Please tell me you float around the house in this feeling fabulous! 😉
Such kind words, thank you so much, Kait!
Before the photos were taken, I did just that: I floated around the house, feeling fabulous and enjoyed the rustling sound the skirt made! 😊
This is one of my favorite things I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
I appreciate your kind words, Leora, and I am very happy you like the dress! 🙂
I’m in love with everything in this dress: the color palette, the sewing, the shape, how it drapes… You did an amazing job and just gave me inspiration for future projects. Very very well done! I wish you all the best for the competition!
Such kind words, Elena!
I feel so honored, that the dress gave you inspiration for future projects. I wish I could see, what you will create! 😊
I really love this dress. It looks elegant and the fit is amazing. Whish you all the best for the competition!
Thank you for your kind words, James!
Lovely! The tulle cape is amazing!
Such kind words, thank you! 🙂
I love this. The blue is stunning. So well done! Thank you!
I am very happy you like the dress and the colour! 🙂
Thank you for your kind words, AnnaCatherine!
Beautiful dress and the fit is fantastic. I love Fire and this is a gown worthy of her beauty.
Hello Annick,
I’m glad to hear that you like the book too! I’m even happier that you think the dress suits Fire! Thank you for your kind words!