Thinking out of the box

So you have an initial idea for what you want but can’t quite pull it all together.  Just because, for example, you are making a Dame’s dress doesn’t mean you need to stick with those for ideas.

I mentioned before that I had stuck on the back a huge plastic gold bow that was intended for a Christmas decoration, well that was taken off and needed to be replaced with something less...well just less, while at the same time keeping the over the topness of a Dame’s dress. 

I was just going to add a bow when I saw this picture of a Worth Victorian dress;

How pretty is that?

It was an idea I immediately knew would give a variation to the Dame’s dress I was working on.  Not only could I use the fabric I had made the skirt out of, but also some of the offcuts from the original dress to pull it all together.

I just made a long sash and folded it onto the back of the dress into a vague ‘M’ shape.  I originally had the lilac fabric facing outwards but it didn't have much impact so I turned it around to have the pink floral on display and it looked a lot better.

I then made some fabric flowers which I stitched onto the top of the arranged sash holding the whole thing together and in place.

  I made a fourth flower which was stitched to the front and then stuck a gem in the middle of each flower.  I may stitch in some plastic boning before the performance to make it stand out more but this dress is being loaned out before then so I will keep it as it is for now.

I am having that awful moment when you realise something needs pressing badly but you have already taken the pictures so...ah well never mind!  

I will be doing a tutorial on the quick fabric flower.  Its not magnificent or lifelike but it does do a good embellishment job when all else fails!