Elsa's dress was next.
The vision was white, silver, floaty, princess and elegant.
Tight, the bodice HAD to be tight.
We purchased her fabric from DK Fabrics, in Adelaide.
Chiffon, silk satin, sequinned lace and bemsilk lining $150.
The pattern, her own design, from Bootstrap, the custom fit pattern company.
As Elsa wanted a very fitted bodice I made a calico toile. Even with all her measurements put in I had to take several inches from the shoulders and re-cut the front and back neck.
I also added some darts above her bust as it was popping open a wee bit.
I fitted and fitted and fitted this dress.
All the fabric was so delicate and flimsy so I interfaced all of the bodice pieces, lining and main.
It frayed like the billy-oh too so I finished all the edges with a narrow zigzag.
There was bugger all in the way of instructions so I constructed the bodice like the Fairy Tale.
The pattern had a very scant seam allowance so things were a bit fiddly.
I then attached the skirt lining to the bodice lining, tried on the dress and hemmed the lining.
Then I french seamed the chiffon over skirt, sewed the satin underskirt, put the two together and sewed them to the bodice.
The bemsilk was perfect. The satin and chiffon dropped like nothing on Earth.
I was horrified.
Luckily it was way too long and I could shorten the droopy bits off.
I basted the zip and then it went in, first time!
Woo hoo!
Next, I hand sewed the heavy lace to the waist line.
It took f o r e v e r but matched like a boss!
It fit like a boss!
She looked so beautiful.
At one stage Elsa thought of leaving off the chiffon but I am glad we didn't.
We hemmed the chiffon slightly longer at the sides for a mermaid effect.
This dress was a challenging sew. I did enjoy it but it was stressful.
~Elsa's Verdict~
My dress was exquisite and totally unique, I loved knowing I was definitely going to be the only one wearing that dress!
It fitted me like a glove and I felt like a princess, a few said I looked like a bride. Thanks for the special gift mum!
Awww, thanks Elsie.
Both girls looked so beautiful and had a wonderful time.
All the hard work was completely worth it.
xx N
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Just wow Nicole! So worth all your effort. Mind you for your sake I hope that's it until actual wedding dresses though :D
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane.
DeleteI have suggested (gently) that they elope...
xx N
Elsa Keller you are one lucky young woman. Nicole Keller you are one talented and patient mother. You go girl (s).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteI did get a bit grumpy a few times and so did Elsa.... but luckily never at the same time.
xx N
I am so impressed!! It's beautiful and fits perfectly!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome skillz! I'm facing this at the moment. I only have to sew one dress. Two would do in my head.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI did one before hols and then one after but two evening dresses was pretty full on.
xx N
Thank you Kate.
ReplyDeleteIt was *almost* too tight so we kept telling her 'You don't alter Vera, you alter your self to fit Vera' ;)
Note to self, don't sew fitted bodices before going on hols to foodie Victoria.
xx N
Beautiful job! The dress is gorgeous! I would really like to be able to fit a pattern like that. I've been sewing for a long time, but fit is still something I struggle with.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of trouble fitting myself. I am trying to get the perfect fitted button up at present and it is doing my head in!
DeleteThank you!
xx N
wow! she looks great, amazing job!
ReplyDeleteThey looked so grown up Mel, I shed a few tears...
DeleteThank you!
xx N
I'd say "unbelievable" but since it was you doing the sewing it's perfectly believable. Still, it's stupendous! Great job and nicely modelled Elsa!
ReplyDeleteThank you very very much.
DeleteI am pretty glad Liddy won't need one for a few years. Sewing formal is definitely not my thing.
So time consuming and so expensive for just a few wears!
xx N
Absolutely stunning! Elsa looks beautiful, absolutely like a Princess (like Grace Kelly!). Such beautiful work, Nicole. It turned out so perfectly but you must be so glad this is over!
ReplyDeleteThank you Inder.
DeleteElsa is quite physical and not fluffy at all so the whole 'Princess' theme was quite a surprise. Many of the other girls went black, slinky and strapless.
She looked gorgeous though (although I think she found it a bit firm after eating her meal and decided tight was over rated)
xx N
Yes! A one of a kind absolutely stunning gown! Incredibly beautiful on your Elsa and incredibly perfect! Outstanding Nicole!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, you are to kind.
Deletexx N
Stunning Nicole!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenn!
Deletexx N
Ohhhh Nicole - wow! Just, wow. This is absolutely gorgeous. I love that Elsa designed the dress herself, and your work is exquisite - that lace matching at the back! You outdid yourself.
ReplyDeleteThank you Masha, you are sweet, you sound like an excited Aunty, I love it!
DeleteI was pretty stoked by the lace match up too, I got very lucky.
xx N
glorious - so much work and such a perfect result ;o)
ReplyDeleteThank you, I needed your awesome fitting skills!
Deletexx N
My goodness gracious me! Just stunning! How lucky are your kiddos that they have a mum who will make them such magnificent creations. Truly the belles of the ball :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Siobhan.
ReplyDeleteI think I am pretty lucky they let me, those dresses are pricey (but I totally understand why)
Off to check out your blog :)
xx N
It is lovely that their dresses are so completely different. Well done for making two. I had enough stress making one a year for my daughter! They both look stunning and the dresses look beautifully made.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI love that they were both so different too. Elsa's dress was a lot of work but I learn a lot (especially in regard to fabric dropping).
xxN
Amazing dresses! The lace at the waist is stunning (& I can;t see the stitching at all)
ReplyDeletexx
Thank you!
DeleteI was a long process but worth it, I think.
xx N
Ummm wow! You've got skills lady, serious skills... I imagine there's some bridal wear in your future... the hand sewn lace is awesome (I had a really similar detail on my wedding dress, but it was sewn over the bust on my dress)... really beautiful fit showing off her tiny waist!
ReplyDeleteI was so over my depth here, I just jumped in and sewed.
DeleteElsa was pretty good though. She trusted me and we got there, in the end.
I don't know about wedding dresses, much cheaper to sew but the stress may do me in!
Thank you!
xx N