When the unique opportunity to create a 1930's evening gown presented itself in the form of a vintage themed wedding of two very dear friends, I couldn't resist delving into the Haslam system of dress cutting for the first time!
Oh the excitement of planning and looking for the perfect fabric...
And then reality dawned once again... after all, who can expect there to be smooth sailing when learning a new technique... and why oh, WHY did I think a complicated formal gown was the best first project to choose?!
5 mock-ups, 4 weeks, and 65 sewing hours later...
I decided it was worth the hair pulling and aggravation.
Just before the first snowfall, and with nearly the last bit of fall foliage, I snuck in a quick photo shoot. The mixture of vibrant and dull colors made the perfect backdrop and I was ecstatic with how well my first attempt at finger waves turned out (at least on one side ;) :P) I think some hair spray would have tamed it sufficiently had I a working bottle on hand. :D
The diamond creates the shaping for the bodice, so there was no need for darts, which tickled me silly! :D Although the process to get it to do so was extensive and exasperating at times!
Our fist location didn't have nearly as much "fall" as we wished, but I still really like how the photos came out in this spot! Being on the upper slope of the hill from the camera made me look a little taller and give the more classic 30's vibe... I'm pretty sure the illustrators of the decade thought legs were a good 2 feet longer than humanly probable! :D
See my little bee "friend"? He must have thought I was a lone flower amongst the grassy fields. After quickly snapping this photo my brother moved him to a nearby dandelion.
Another favorite detail was the strap design, starting at the armscye seam in the front and crossing over in the back to form the edge of the v-neck.
The long row of fabric buttons and loops down the back were yet another favorite design aspect. I was pleased with how well it worked in function as well as design.
We spotted a new location across the yard with some delightful foliage remaining and had to snap a few more photos there. I'm so glad we did, though I was frigid and shivering by this point.
My brother caught me waving my arms and laughing as I tried to warm up and relax so I wouldn't look stiff and icy for the photos. :D
I just love how the red dress looks framed by the yellow, orange, and brown of the leaves and brush.
I'm definitely planning to use the Haslam system again, but first I need
to work out what is off about my base "sloper" draft to insure proper
fit in future. Even just in book #15 there are several more styles I would love to make!
