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Scintillating - An amalgamation of past and present

Evening gown of crinkle lurex organza (80% metal/20% silk in black/silver).
I modified the bodice pattern by cutting the bodice front in two pieces.  I did this so as to maintain the direction of the fabric grain as opposed to cutting it in one piece on the bias per the original instructions. 
To obtain opacity in order to conceal seam lines and seam allowances, I interlined each organza piece with silver china silk.  I narrowly hemmed the interlining separately from the organza.  The gown was also fully lined in the same silver china silk.
Narrow hemming this gown went like a dream due to all of the ease in the crinkle organza.  
I chose to use the vintage evening skirt pattern for the small train it had.  I cut it in four pieces (two back and two front) versus three (two back and one front) due to the narrow 36 width of the crinkle organza.
Evening gown of crinkle lurex organza (80% metal/20% silk in black/silver).

Evening gown of crinkle lurex organza (80% metal/20% silk in black/silver).

Photo: Photo by Cynthia DeGrand

I cut the bodice of this gown from contemporary Vogue pattern 8191 and the skirt from a vintage 1930's evening gown pattern.

I sewed the gown on my 1941 Singer 201-2 and narrowly hemmed with my circa 1889 hemming foot-my FAVORITE attachment!


Pattern or design used: My own design - 1935 Evening Gown Pattern
EvaDress EvaDress, member
Posted on Jan 4th, 2010 in design, garment construction, tips & tricks, fabric, reader's closet, vintage, art-to-wear, hem, underlining

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Comments (14)

Scheri Scheri writes: Fabulous!
Posted: 12:15 am on January 5th

GreenTrunkDesigns GreenTrunkDesigns writes: Lovely dress and very well done.
Posted: 7:39 pm on June 13th

EvaDress EvaDress writes: tracytammaro, I do hope to get around the U.S. to teach perhaps starting with the 2010 ASDP conference.
I also plan to attend the Artwear Symposium at the Textile Center of Minnesota this June 2-8. Perhaps I could arrange something to do for that event in 2011.
Posted: 10:23 pm on February 14th

tracytammaro tracytammaro writes: Beautiful work..... I would call this simple elegance. The dress is not overly done up with accessories and it sure doesn't need it. This is the kind of sewing I want to learn to do but unfortunately we don't have people around here who want to get into teaching. I can't understand why. I remember years ago people being able to go to seamstress schooling but you sure can't find anything like that anymore. Any suggestions.....anyone?
Posted: 12:47 pm on February 10th

LYDIADAMBRO LYDIADAMBRO writes: IT'S ELEGANT, GORGEOUS, SLEEK, LOVELY FOR A NIGHT OUT TO CELEBRATE
VALENTINE DAY ; OR EVEN A ROMANTIC NIGHT QUIET NIGHT AT HOME,
WITH A FAVORITE DINNER, GOOD SPIRITS, NEW SHEETS ON THE BED.

HAVE FUN WEARING IT.


Posted: 8:24 am on February 3rd

EvaDress EvaDress writes: Thank you for the compliments, Katielynne.
The metal content (I believe it to be nickel) lends this organza a unique stability.
The metal was definitely a plus in combination with the crinkle texture when narrow hemming.
Also, the manufacturer of the fabric cannot guarantee any cleaning recommendations which is why I reserve this fabric for designs which are cut away from areas most likely to soil such as the underarm - a factor which lent yet another level of challenge!

Posted: 1:01 am on January 24th

Corica Corica writes: EVADRESS YOU ARE INDEED A DIVA I WOULD LOVE TO WEAR THIS EVENING GOWN. FABULOUS!
Posted: 4:57 pm on January 21st

Katielynne Katielynne writes: Now, this is just lovely. Exquisite hem--does the metal content help to achieve that fabulous "wave" effect? Your work is simply fabulous.

Not that you'd wear this particular garment on an airplane, but would this fabric set off the metal detectors?
Posted: 11:48 pm on January 18th

moushka moushka writes: Gorgeous, and the photos are definitely Threads-worthy, so congratulations to the photographer, too. You look stunning in the dress and the construction details are perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Posted: 8:11 pm on January 8th

jatman jatman writes: Absolutely stunning!
Posted: 2:26 pm on January 6th

EvaDress EvaDress writes: Not sure if this is allowed, but I will give it a shot: I hope these photos of my submission will earn my photographer recognition so she may embark on the photographic career she wants and deserves!
Posted: 11:32 pm on January 5th

dpog dpog writes: You did a fine job. Your dress looks good on the dress form, but better on you. Often a simple looking project is technically very difficult. Your experience has paid off.
Now all you need is a yacht and a tropical moonlit night.
Posted: 9:04 am on January 5th

Clarasita Clarasita writes: Absolutely gorgeous! I can picture you wearing a nice strand of gray pearl or a handwoven silver chain. Perhaps with a simple blue goldstone (midnight sun star sitara) enhancer hanging just over the breastbone.
Posted: 9:40 pm on January 4th

artfulenterprises artfulenterprises writes: Bravo! Lovely work...beautiful bodice...great choice in construction detail! Skirt is absolutely delicious...loved the hem. Perfect. Aren't those old Singer attachments just the greatest?
Posted: 9:19 pm on January 4th

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