Thursday, January 19, 2017

Abstract Floral Appliqué


Sometimes a project comes together even better than expected.


I will admit that I was disappointed when my first muslin of Vogue 9125 did not turn out exactly as I had hoped.


But sometimes having to work through a problem can really turn out for the best!


And I am quite pleased with how this dress turned out.  


Scaling up the design also made this one of the faster Alabama Chanin style projects I have worked on.


If there is anything that I would change about this garment, it would be the 100% cotton jersey, which stretched out slightly after wearing the dress all day.  Those many, many running stitches that created the appliqué certainly help to combat that problem, but the silhouette probably would have worked better with a little bit of extra recovery built into the textile. 


That said, I am not sure I would have enjoyed hand sewing through a fabric with lycra or spandex.  And I do not think that the issue is all that noticeable.


For the moment, I am going to keep my altered muslin.  I may end up adding some extra ease and trying to make this in a woven, or perhaps I will find a suitable knit that I really like.  I would love to get my hands on a heavier weight merino knit . . .


And now I need to think up another project with lots of hand stitching to keep my hand busy.  I keep meaning to play around with some wool felt as an appliqué medium, but I am starting to dream of Spring colors and fabrics, so that may have to wait until the Fall.  But I am sure I will find something else to keep me occupied until then!



Dress:  Made by me, Vogue 9125
Shoes:  Banana Republic
Earrings:  Banana Republic

16 comments:

  1. Stunning! Your handwork is beautiful. Have you thought of working with chiffon? Silk chiffon has a nice hand, and with a little starch, would be lovely as an applique medium. Thinking of a full gathered skirt with applique designs (applique would be chiffon as well), embroidery and beading accents. That should keep you busy for a while!

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  2. Amazing. This is absolutely beautiful!!

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  3. This is so beautifully classic yet modern. Absolutely inspiring!

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  4. Superb!

    (and, you are totally channeling Joan in that photo shoot!)

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  5. This is absolutely beautiful, I love alabaminchain designs I'very been wanting to venture into making a dress such as this. Beautiful work. How did you make your stencils? It seems the perfect size.

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    1. I make my stencils with a heavy duty Pellon craft interfacing. http://www.lauramaedesigns.com/2015/01/arts-crafts.html

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  6. Lovely dress Laura, I really like that silouhette on you.

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  7. When I scrolled down to your first pic, I definitely dropped my jaw. That is a vavavoom dress on you.

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  8. Gorgeous dress, I love the shape/style and the hand stitching gives it a lovely effect.

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  9. Felt appliques are the bread and butter of a lot of folk dance costumes. Join the ranks of the volunteer stitchers in every corner of this country! I stitch for Radost in Seattle. I'm sure there's someone near you.

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  10. What a fabulous dress!...abbey

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  11. You have the feminine curves to wear this beautiful head turning dress. I love the colors, the fabric and the pattern for dress and applique.

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  12. Beautiful work! It is a stunning dress and you pull it off beautifully.

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  13. Stunning Laura. I love the Alabama Chanin save....what a smart idea and a beautiful save


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