Sunday, August 4, 2013

Flaming Red, Tessuti Awards 2013 entry

This is my entry for the Tessuti Awards 2013.

The brief was to create a knee length (or just above) dress that's all about the WOW and NOW factor. Something that would fabulous at a red carpet event, swanky cocktail party, the races or a fancy formal wedding. You must use either their Flame Red fabric which is a french taffeta or the Phantom Black, a dobby spot which is also a French fabric. The prizes are amazing, a flight valued at $2500 is first prize and an overlocker is second. I was not sure if I wanted to enter as there are so many amazing and creative sewers out there and last years entry's were incredible.

I happened to be in the store about a month ago and was discussing with the ladies there how I wasn't going to enter this year however with a little persuasion they convinced me to give it a go. I had a dress in mind that would be perfect for Tafetta. It was a Chloe dress I'd seen on the S/S 2013 runway shows. Lots of ruffles and tucks, perfect.

I designed my own pattern by draping first and then transferring onto a muslin. After alot of frustrating attempts at draping the bodice, I finally got it right (I think). I fully lined the bodice and skirt and also used the bustier techniques which I had previously practiced following Gerties instructions on the Bombshell dress lesson. 


I also boned the bustier which makes the bodice stay up really well. I added a belt to the waist to give it a bit more shape as I thought it was a bit frumpy looking. It did the trick. I added a big red button to the back of the belt.



It's not perfect by a long shot, but I'm very happy with how it looks.
I have my nephews wedding coming up soon so I don't have to worry about figuring out what to wear now.

Thanks to my partner Tone for taking some fabulous shots and making me look better than I really am.
Also, thanks for the champagne, I really enjoyed that after a hard day modelling!





boning the bodice
Draping the tucks