Friday, September 7, 2012

Pretty Bridesmaid Dress For Stesha


This lovely lady is going to be a bridesmaid
in her sister's wedding in a few months.

And I was blessed to sew her dress for her.

I get to sew her younger sister's matching dress as well.

They are both just gorgeous girls!


 They chose Butterick 5457 for the dress pattern,
and we made a few modifications.

I made a muslin for each girl,
and I am so glad I did.

According to the measurements,
Stesha would have worn a size 12,
yet a size 6 completely swam on her.
If the pattern had come in a size 2,
that may have been close to fitting her.

I am showing the dress on my child size 7/8
mannequin. 

I had to keep taking it in and taking it in,
so that muslin was pretty marked up
by the time I cut into the shantung.


I love how the bodice is tucked.
The pleats are sewn at the top and 
where the bodice meets the midruff,
but they are loose through the length of the bodice.


But the pleated bodice and rouched
midriff really make a lovely, feminine garment.


This doesn't show up very well,
but there is a small ruffle of shell pink organza sewn
to the lining under the skirt.

I love the ethereal look it gives. 
I cut 3 inches off the bottom 
of the lining front and back pieces.
Then I cut the ruffle strips 7 inches long by the full
width of the organza fabric.  
I sewed two strips together  and then
folded them over, encasing the seams, 
so the organza was doubled.
Then I slightly gathered the doubled strip
and attached it to the bottom of the lining,
serging it in place.

I took many notes on the changes I made to this pattern,
so I can reproduce it for the next dress.

I really liked this pattern, 
but I am so very glad I made a muslin.
I get a little frustrated with how inaccurate
the sizing is in the major pattern companies.
But the end result was a really pretty dress.
And I think it showcases Stesha's beauty quite well.


If you have not entered my giveaway for the current
issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine,
where you will find an article that I co-wrote,
go enter HERE.


Happy Sewing!


5 comments:

Bunny said...

Lovely dress and a beautiful young lady.

Lynn said...

Beautiful dress - I love the little bit peeking out underneath the hem!

Pattern sizes are completely frustrating! I've gone back to Nancy Zieman's method which is to measure from arm crease to arm crease to get the right neck/shoulder/frame size. Then alter as needed for bust and waist. You would think a pattern like that wouldn't have that much ease built in if it's meant to stay up though!

Rebecca Nelson said...

You are amazing. Love the dress!

xoRebecca

Jan said...

for all your hard work, it turned out wonderful. The pattern companies, I think are fitting models, not real women and real kids. I'm happy there are all the independent designers who test on real people.

kennady said...

It's a fantastic post about Pretty Bridesmaid Dress For Stesha. The art of the bridesmaid are great and some of the bridesmaid dress design is absolutely superb. To know the full details of dress vendors, use the wedding planner app for your wedding.