Bollywood Ball Gown-Putting It All Together

Ham anyone?

Since there were so many curves in this pattern, I ended up 

using my tailors ham nearly every time I pressed.

I like things nice and smooth!

Then I pinned it all together for one last fitting!

India is saying "Enough with the pictures mom!"

At this point, the gown has the dress layer, 

a layer of tulle sewn to the back of the dress layer,

the lining, the boned layer of the corset, which 

also has a layer of very thick interfacing,

and of course the boning!

So once that was all sewn together, 

I sewed the lining to the whole concoction.

But then that needed to be clipped, pressed 

and turned to the inside.

And the best way for me to know where to tack it down to the 

dress was to turn the whole thing inside out 

and pin it on the dress form.

We decided to go a little different direction with the sari 

fabric, so India requested a sweetheart neckline.

They are NOT super fun to do, but

once I got it properly clipped, turned and pressed it was ok.

Once I got it stitched down, I turned it right side out!

Then, I finally was ready to hem!

I didn't take any pictures of this because it was just a 

basic narrow rolled hem using my narrow rolled hem foot.
I LOVE that thing!

 After the hem, India decided that she wanted the train

to be slightly bustled up. 

I have done this several different ways before, 

but for this one, I just used a medium sized hook and eye on the

underside of the skirt.

The "eye" is sewn to the bottom of the zipper

and the "hook" is sewn hook side down on the seam of the skirt.

This is the finished back with the crystal beads

sewn all the way up the back.

At the top, where the zipper stops, there is a sapphire blue button

with a rhinestone in the center.

The little pucker you see at the base of the zipper is where the 

skirt is bustled.

The biggest struggle of this whole project was

what to do with the sari fabric. 

After draping it so many different ways,

and never really being happy with how it laid ,

India requested that just cut part of it off and finish 

the edges to make a shawl.

I was disappointed at first because I really had visions

of what I wanted this fabric to be. 

But none of my trys worked.

So, the shawl was exactly the right thing to do!

I just did a rolled hem on my serger and it was perfect.

So, are you ready to see the finished gown?

India? Are you ready to put your gown on?

By the way, aren't her gold and rhinestone sandals cute??

All that engineering, and the gown looks deceptively simple.

Her she is with the train down.

I realized that after all that, I did not get a picture 

with the bustle up.
I will do that later and show you.

Here is the shawl draped in a more sari-like fashion.

Yes, that is a bindi she has on her forehead.

The Indian woman at the grocery store

where we bought the fabric and the costume jewelry

told us that bindis used to be reserved for married woman

but are now used by fashionable young ladies regardless

of marital status. 

India's friend Erin came over to get ready with India

They did each others' hair and makeup.

Aw.......makes a mama get all teary.

This is SENIOR BALL people!!! 

My baby is at SENIOR BALL!!

Aren't they gorgeous???

Cute shoes. 

Did I mention that there were snowflakes in the air today?

Really!!

Next post will show Princess India with her Prince Kevin.

And then, a goodie for you all!

 Check back for a tutorial on India's satin drawstring purse.

And later this week, I will show you how to prickstitch a zipper.

All kinds of goodies in store!