My Summer Project: A Ballroom Gown. Advice welcome.

So, I have decided to to challenge myself this Summer and move from the most simple dresses into creating an actual gown. While it will be for my daughter (10y), it is meant solely for show use and therefore I don't have to worry about the dresscode for once.

I am not intending to go overboard, but there will be rhinestones iinvolved and a small keyhole opening on the back. It'll also be longer than normally allowed.

Now, the question before I even start is about godets. I plan to use two lycra fabrics, one plain and one with a floral print. What would be the best fabric choice for the godets? Satin? Chiffon? Something I've never heard of? Would the second lycra work? Opinions ould be appreciated.

I have had gowns with godets in all of the above fabrics...so it can be done...as for the pitfalls of sewing with the various fabrics...I would trust laura and dressgirl to have some wisdom on those issues

I'll say same as fasc, I've seen mom use them all, will let thosee of us who know more than me give you a final suggestion.

The easiest thing to use is lycra. This is because lycra doesn't fray and also stretches. Chiffon is commonly used, the issue with silk chiffon is that it wrinkles easily. If you use cheap polyester chiffon, it will fray like crazy, but if you get a good poly chiffon or even better yet a poly georgette (it's slightly heavier than chiffon) that will work too.

Thank you! The project is currently moving forward: Most of the fabric was bought.

I also finished the base leotard and am next working on the overdress, which will be the Latin dress. A separate skirt will go between the layers making it a standard dress.

I have certain worries, but there is no point painting the devil on the wall beforehand. If I need to start over, I will, but that is tomorrow's headache.

As an attachment a picture of the two fabrics in use so far, in case anyone wants to see what I am possibly ruining.

I like the fabrics! Why don't you whip together a gown for me with the leftovers after you're done!

You'll be fine, the first time round is a bit of an experiment. Godets can be frustrating. You are better off with lycra to lycra than to add a new texture, weight, stretch and "slime" factor to the mix.

I say slime not in the traditional sense, but rather in that some stretch fabrics are slicker than others and fabric against fabric creates almost a sewing on ice type of moment. Which is why a lot of new sewers stretch the fabric as they sew. And that really doesn't work if you have two way different types of fabrics.

Good luck!

Thanks for the replies again. Wooh, are you into the handkerchief latin dresses? I fear there won't be scraps for anything more covering.

This project, like most things I do, change over time. I seem to always have plan B, plan C and so on and the final result frequently looks rather different from the first sketch. Right now I have the Latin part of the dress ready save for the hem. There is no seam on the front, it just folded.

I am thinking of a purple satin on the hem of this and right now I have a new plan for the long skirt that goes under this. I saw a piece of lovely georgette matching the color of the flowers at the fabric store today. If it is still there when I get a chance go back, I'll probably go for it.

Also, what changed since the first drafts is that there is no keyhole. This is because I decided that the stoning will all be on the 'accessories' so that the base dress might be eventually used in competition as well.

Now the Accessories. There will be a collar. Cuffs attached to either a float or scarves depending on fabric choices to be used for Standard. For the latin dress, my daughter requested fingerless gloves.

Of course, tomorrow it could all change again.
But even when my plans change, the advice given remains for further use and is greatly appreciated.

It's very sweet looking. Good job!

Love it! Very nice!
(And it would take a LOT of handkerchiefs to cover me, so I guess I'll just have to wait!)

Thank you, wooh and Laura and everyone who has read this. I have no-one here I could share this stuff with, the other mothers aren't interested in sewing and even if they were would likely think I am nuts working on something that may not be worn for quite some time, since D doesn't even have a partner anymore. But I am doing it to challenge myself.

This was my first attempt to attach an overdress to the underbody, this far there's always been just one layer. It did not come out badly. I made the gauntlets today, those are the easiest part, I think.

Some things have me still puzzled. How do I make the collar so that it does stretch enough to be comfortable, but doesn't wrinkle? What color and shape should the float be? If the float is lilac, should the cuffs be too? Would it be silly to put fishingline in the hem?

The satin trim arrived and this part of the project got finished. Shown here on a very reluctant model.


It'll get used for something and I learned a few new tricks, so it was worth it. The lilac georgette skirt will be made too. However, I have new plans stewing for a top that will share that skirt with this one...

:banana: I am having fun with this.

Glasswren said:

How do I make the collar so that it does stretch enough to be comfortable, but doesn't wrinkle?

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Do you mean the neckline? I don't see a collar in the picture. Anyway, all you do is cut it to be the shape you want. Then, when you sew the elastic into the edging, do not stretch the elastic or the fabric. This way when there's no pressure on the neckline, the fabric and elastic will lay flat, but if it needs to stretch it can and will just fine.

What color and shape should the float be?

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There are an infinite number of ways to cut floats. The easiest to start with would be a crescent moon shape, that goes from one arm to the other, or a triangle, that attaches at the shoulder and wrist and then just hangs down.

If the float is lilac, should the cuffs be too?

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I think it looks better when they coordinate, but anything is possible.

Would it be silly to put fishingline in the hem?

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Of the float or of the skirt? I've seen both.

Very cute dress!

Thanks wooh for the comment.

Laura, thank you. I appreciate your input greatly.

I meant a separate collar, like a fabric necklace. I am failing to find a better name for it. It needs to be soft, but stiff enough not to fold on itself. Yet it needs to breathe too.

I like the crescent shaped floats personally, so I'll probably go for that. Especially since it'll not be huge. Long, but not terribly wide as I don't want to hide the girl behind it.

I had not even considered fishing line for the float. Hmm. Probably not for this one. For the hem, I'll do it. For one, D loves those and for another, I've not done it yet, so it'll be another excercise for me.

I am picking up the georgette tomorrow, but will have to wait until next week for the lilac lycra to arrive. Still, the hems should keep me busy enough until then.