24.5.08

Yesterday was the prom

and this is the story of my dress.
Making the Bacon Dress
More photoes on flickr

1. I started with the legs off a pair of bell-bottoms which I had converted into a skirt.
two legs1

2. Match the knees, which are the narrowest part on the bell-bottoms, and pin above the waist.
pinning the bodice2

3. Sew down the front seam. Pin and fold the bustline and darts.
bust darts3

4. Sew the bustline darts. I used a contrast thread to sew each detail. On a darker denim, I would use an orange thread.
darts sewn in4

5. The back needs a panel, so I used vintage material. It is pleated and pinned, in several layers. The zipper is angled to one side to keep the panel in one piece.
pinning the back zipper5

6. The back is not fitted until after the zipper is sewn into the raw edge. back before darts6

7. Match the back darts to the edge of the original seam allowance. No fabric has been cut away so far. Sew down the edge of your dart and again next to the zipper.
tacking down the center back7

8. Another piece of the vintage fabric is folded down its center and sewn in at the bust.
the bust detail8

9. Create a tube out of another strip of your fabric and press flat for the strap. Lace trim is used as the bacon fat.
pinned on bacon strap9

10. After the strap is sewn to the front, it is fitted and pinned to the back for sewing.
fitting the strap10

11. The last step is to add a hem extension with more vintage fabric. Folding it in half and pinning underneath the denim prevents the need for additional hemming and cutting.
hem extension11

Fin. Then I put it on and went to the prom.
strap sewn inFin

Since I'm not effective with shoes, I wore it with pink Chucks. The students didn't mind because they all looked great. Their theme was Oscar Night, and they all dressed the part. Super cute.

No comments:

hairycarrot. Get yours at bighugelabs.com/flickr