Project Runway NYE Dress Challenge: Sketches and Inspiration

So last night I did some quick sketches. I wasn't able to post them earlier because I was busy pattern making (had to get that bodice done).

Here they are (please forgive their sketchiness):


At first I wasn't sure what neckline I wanted, but decided on a sweetheart neckline. As for the skirt, that's another matter altogether. It's between the traditional 50s style gathered skirt, a gathered balloon bottom skirt and a pick up skirt. Since I'm draping the skirt, I'll figure that out later tonight.

And a few of the images that inspired me (and yeah some of those photos are hella cheesy, but ignore their faces and look at the dresses):





Personally I'm leaning towards the pin-tucked, pick up skirt. It's just so pretty and very Victorian inspired (especially the gray one pictured above), which I'd love to see in my outfit (cuz I'm such a closet Steampunk). And now that I've found a great tutorial on how to do it, I'll probably try that method first.

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Status: Bodice lining done. Need to bone the bodice, cut and assemble the outside and then prepare to start the skirt. I'll post about that later.

Back to work!

Next: Progress Progress Progress!

NYE Project Runway Challenge: 25 hours and counting

So I've always hated shopping for dresses. My particular figure shape(I'm a busty girl) has always made it hard to buy anything but separates. And affordable dresses are getting more and more lazy [ie they're terrible looking, flimsy or ill fitting]. Since I really can't spend $100+ to look hot for one night, I've decided to take it into my own hands.

Let the games begin.

I have about 25 hours (ending midnight 12/30) to make a New Year's Eve outfit
Budget: $40
Goal: Something fitted, hourglass accentuating and well made (hopefully looking better than what the stores can offer for the same amount)
Supplies: Whatever Joann's Fabrics has in their Red Tag section (now 50% off--go go and acquire fabric people!) and notions
Tools: A Singer 5050c, paper tape dummy (fit to my size), the usual tools (scissors, seam ripper, ruler, etc) and a lot of moxie

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7:12pm

Making it work.

So I've selected my fabric as shown below:


Details--
(A)
(B)
(C)

Here's what I got for $35.77 ($33.06 without tax):
1 yard of black poly with square print (A)
4 yards double sided blue denim blend (B--way more blue, see main photo)
4 yards of sheer dark blue material (it's beauty hardly shows in the photo)
1 yard of black nylon tulle
1 16" navy blue zipper (C)
1 spool of navy blue thread (C)
76" of metal chain (C)

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The sewing clock officially starts at 9pm. So I get a little bit of sketching time before then.

Next: Sketches & Inspiration