Well.. It seems I’ve been left behind. I feel like the only kid who is not going on the school field trip to the Zoo. The Zoo of Comic-Con that is. Everyone and their dog will be tweeting, face booking and vloging about the event this weekend. So what will I do with myself during the time everyone else is away you ask? I plan to drink a copious amount of wine and sew my bitterness into a emo dress. I’m challenging myself to make a ball gown by the time Comic-con is done on the 24th. That gives me four days to finish it. Misery loves company so I’ll be blogging my every step. All of those who are not going to comic con are welcome to commiserate with me! … So where to start? I have some fabrics and notions that are all black and red “vampiric…the lamented emo” if you will. Next I will sketch out some designs and post them. DARKNESS!!!!
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UPDATE! 7/20/11 – 6:30pm
Ok so here is my Emo Vampire design
UPDATE! 7/20/11 – 7:11 PM
Ok. So these are the patterns I plan on basing it off of. Ill be doing a lot of alterations on both but the corset of McCall’s 3538 will work well and the skirt of McCalls 4028 will be perfect!
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UPDATE! 7/21/11 -
Playing around with some drapping.
Using the “A” style top of McCall’s 3538 pattern I’m adding three inches to the bottom. I’ll be flatlining it with interfacing.
Pretty much done with the corset. I just need to sew in the eyelets to lace up the back tomorrow. More updates tomorrow! Now back to my wine ~
UPDATE! 7/22/11 -
Cutting out the skirt using McCalls pattern 4028. As you can see I’m adding a train. I’ve always though dress trains add glamor.
Adding a ruffle to the front panel of the skirt as well
Making a choker using a old beaded choker as a base. I’m going to see if it is a better fir for the gown
I like it so far but it needs more. Perhaps a sash or belt?
UPDATE! 7/24/11 -
Drafting the pattern for the Bolero
UPDATE! 8/1/11 -
Check out the photoshoot HERE
Oooh, exciting! I’m not going either. Glad to hear about something other than what I’m missing at Comic-Con.
OMG, I feel you. ;_; I can’t wait to see your dress though!
I was just looking at your initial drawing and I think it would look really cool if something on there looked sharp, like ’you could cut something with this’ sharp. A contrast to the soft flowing lines. Just a thought. And celebrating because you can’t go is cool! (been known to do that myself
What an awesome idea! I’m hoping Comic-Con will be *slightly* less impacted after this year since the Twi-hards will no longer be taking up so much space with the movies finally wrapping up. What Stephanie Meyer’s books have to do with a comic conventions is beyond me.
I’m loving the emo dress; it’s pretty sweet thus far.As to a little something extra?… maybe something across the front panel? Like loops of beads draping across the area to pick up on the effect of the beads on the choker? Or what about a fabric flower pinned somewhere? I’m just throwing ideas out here, I think the dress is already stunning as is. =)
I think something similar to the black ruffle you have along the top, added all the way around the train might add that finishing touch you’re looking for, or maybe even the red velvet?
I saw the dress and my first thought was adding a sort of goth/emo bolero. I can see something with long sleeves perhaps flaring out at the elbow to create a tasteful bell sleeve. You could even do an evening style cape with a sort of emo stylized hood. It would look romantic with a hint of evil
Oh, how I love WIP posts! Needs more gems, if you’re stuck on what else to add. Can’t be glamour gothy without some nice dark red garnets or pearls <3
I would say a belt as well,
A) a thick black cut out leather pattern that is similar to the flocked design on the skirt fabric, something akin to a very thin underbust corset belt
or
B) a thin black belt that has draped thin chains along it that has a repeating pattern of black pearls maybe along it
hell go over kill and put draped chains with pearls on a thick black leather cut out belt lol
I followed a link here from the LOJ website, and I’d just like to say that what you do with an idea, a sketch, and some fabric is simply magic. I admit to always being marginally terrified of trying to sew, simply because people like you make it look so effortless. Your work is beautiful.
I ended up not going either. Though truth be told I never had before and wish I could ^^; Yes I know, late to the response. But I’ve been so tied up with sewing capes and birthday gifts, I can’t be blamed by that much
I love this dress ^^ A bottle of red wine would go very well with it! P.S. You inspire me!
I couldn’t go either. I’m always so jealous of people who can do those things. My vertigo is so bad…sorry, I’m just going through so much medical and mental crap that’s been building up and when I saw this post I couldn’t help thinking how I wish I had my own beautiful dark dress to wear and just vanish.
Anyway, I hope you get to go to comic-con next year. All your costumes are amazing.
I have a question, when you were stitching the finished project, did you create channels in the seam lines and use boning for support? Or, did you use interfacing? Also, I like the idea of making a neck corset of sorts for an upcoming costume I am sketching. Would it be possible use your draft to achieve that look? I always liked the look of the collar from Cell and I’ve been dying to make something out of fabric that would have the same style. Too bad I cant try messing around with a vacuuform table and some thermaplastic.
Oh! I forgot to say how great the bolero turned out! I realized the last time I posted I put my name in as Jen
I was so happy to see you liked the idea as well!! Will you be adding sleeves at all? Either way it looks awesome.
love the design, would really want to buy it if u have it for sale
Does anyone make a pattern for the bolero/ruff like this? I’ve noticed this basic style used in a LOT of different costuming (from vampires to steampunk) and I’d love to play with it but have no idea where to start…
<<>> how you share this process!! Thanks so much
Hello Becky. I have not seen one myself for purchase anywhere. Having to draft this one was a bit tricky.