This is part two in my Fall Flower Fairy project, part one covers how I made the skirt and can be read here.
Today i’ll be going over how I made the bodice. If you’re interested, i’ve created a video that shows (some) of the process, and that can be watched here!
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This bodice was originally supposed to look like two oak leaves…but then I wanted to add sleeves, so I changed the shape…but when I made the sleeves I didn’t like how they looked. This bodice didn’t turn out how I had expected, not even close, but I really love the end result.
Step one was draping the pattern. I’ve been asked about the process a lot recently and I will be doing a draping tutorial soon, I just haven’t gotten to it yet.
I didn’t really know where this was going when I started, I didn’t even have a sketch so it was an adventure!
I had planned on it being a five piece pattern but I managed to draft it as one, so that was neat.
As lovely as the care bear print was, I decided to turn it into a proper paper pattern. Then I cut the pattern from chiffon and organza to create the base for my bodice.
The layers were pinned together, then basted together with large stitches.
The next step was adding the boning channels. I used a colored pencil to mark the placement.
To create the channels I cut one inch strips of cotton sateen, folded the edges over, then pinned and stitched them in place.
Before adding the boning I used a colored pencil to mark an inch away from the neckline. Later on I’ll fold the edge over until it touches this line, which will create a half inch seam allowance.
I added the boning, then pinned the edge. Pinning curves inward is never fun, so many pinpricks!
I used tiny stitches to secure the edge in place.
Then the fun part, flower arranging! I didn’t have very many small flowers left so this was a bit tricky, but I managed to place them in a way that I really like!
I trimmed all the flower backs down so they would lay flat against the fabric. Then I used hot glue to secure them in place.
After all the flowers were on I used a lint roller to remove any glue trails and lint. Then two layers of tulle were draped and pinned overtop.
The tulle was sewn down with more tiny stitches and the end result looked like this!
It’s quite lovely but not done yet! The interior edges were fraying so I pinned lace over top of them.
Then the lace was sewn down.
And the bodice was pretty much done!
As far as dress assembly goes, it was pretty simple. I machine stitched the waist seam, then used home made bias tape to cover any raw edges.
The back seam was done up almost all the way. I left room for a zipper but there was to much material to stitch through AND I made it slightly too small. I ended up using embroidered eyelets as closures for the dress which worked really well.
Here is the finished back – It does lace closed all the way but I am the absolute worse at getting myself into dresses.
So that’s that! I really adore how this dress turned out. It’s the type of dress that makes you smile, it’s so fluffy and flowery I just love it. I’ll have more photos in my next post, which will cover making the headpiece and “wand”!
Thanks for reading!
Angela Clayton's Costumery & Creations 
you look beautiful! i really love these dresses, theyre amazing.
Gorgeous!!!
I love this vey beautiful creation. Wow you are an amazing designer and your tutorials are easy to follow.
Wow, these are beautiful! I’m curious: since you’ve got a Spring/Summer-themed dress, and now an Autumn-themed dress – would you consider making a Winter-themed dress to round off the set? Perhaps with flowers that bloom in winter, and with a blue-ish colour scheme? I’m curious to see what you’d come up with, if you felt it was a good idea!
Looking forward to seeing your next projects, especially the Halloween one – that looks like it’ll be fun!
Thank you! I actually had planned on doing a winter themed one (blue) and spring (purple) themed ones, and even bought a few blue flowers for it.
Now I don’t think i’m going to make it because these dresses are getting a bit repetitive and I think after I make the Halloween one i’ll be over the technique. They are also difficult to store, somewhat expensive to make, and don’t have much value in my portfolio.
But since I have the materials around, maybe in a few months i’ll get board and make a new on.
Entirely understandable; if you decide to do it, I’d love to see it, but if you don’t, well – I’m pretty sure I’ll love whatever else you come up with, so I doubt I’ll feel the loss! And of course, the most important thing is that you’re working on projects you love. =)
You’ve got me wondering though (only if you don’t mind answering this), what sorts of works are you interested in putting in your portfolio? Is it mostly just the Renaissance-inspired dresses etc? I’d have thought that all your original works could conceivably go into it, perhaps organised by theme, but that doesn’t seem to be case, going by your comment. Is there a specific job you’re looking into, and organising your portfolio for accordingly?
If you don’t mind a last question: I have to admit I’m very curious as to what more modern dresses/styles would look like in your interpretation (I’m envisioning bringing Renaissance-ish design elements into modern silhouettes); any chance of that happening, or are you entirely uninterested in making those?
I would like to go into costume construction (or costume design – but that’s less likely) for theater or film. My main goal is to show variety with my portfolio, so just about anything can go into it assuming the garment is nicely constructed. There will definitely be an emphasis on historical designs because they are my favorite, but just about anything can go into it.
The flower dresses all sort of look the same and use the same technique. So having photos of one or two in my portfolio is fine, but having five photos of the same dress in different colors doesn’t have much value.
I’m not really interested! I like doing more modern plays on historical menswear (adjusting them for the female form but keeping the heavy fabrics and tailoring) and I think I will be doing a few of those in the future. In general I would rather go ahead and make a historical costume then bringing elements into modern garments…that just seems like a waste to me.
But when it comes to modern- i’m currently working on my Monarch collection which are more fashion-y without any historical influences. And i’ll be doing some winter wear and basic garments soon just for the sake of practicing those skills.
Adorable! Keep up the good work. You should get a job offer from Broadway or Hollywood!
That’s breathtakingly lovely. Incredible work and one pattern piece too, so clever and stream lined.
Your work is fascinating!! I love everything I have seen and would like to say that you are not only gifted but also very beautiful. I hope to be able to follow you and keep up with all your fantastic creations. Thank you for showing your work and sharing your style of designing. It is inspirational and I hope it leads you to a future where you can combine your talent with your dream!
Do you sell these??
This is so so beautiful! I never thought to put the lace over the flowers. That creates such an elegant touch and tones down the vibrancy of the colors making it slightly understated and organic. I love it so much! So inspiring thank you for sharing!
This is amazing I wish I could do this but I only no one stitch 😂 well done. Beautiful
Im totally in love with this dress! I would love to have this piece as my wedding dress. I have to get ahold of YOU! Ur amazing 😉 omg!!
Hi. This piece was made in 2014, two years before they launched that design.