Sunday, July 20, 2014

Frozen: Constructing Elsa's Gown

So I finally have the base gown put together for my "deluxe" Elsa cosplay for Dragon Con!
Copying a strapless dress pattern from the 1980s for the basic shape onto muslin, I extended the lines for length and added a flared hemline. I also added a small train that comes to a subtle point. I flat-lined each piece in a rich turquoise satin, which will also peek through at the leg slit on the front of the skirt.


The fabric I found on Etsy is absolutely perfect, but the icy linear pattern done in silver threads goes the width of the fabric, not the length. It wasn't as wide as I am long, so I had to futz with the pattern a bit, making the bust-line area out of separate pieces.


This added the length I needed and the seams won't show once all the sequins and bodice decor goes on over it.


This dress form is my Uniquely You form, and after at least 3 fittings and re-fittings/stitching/shoving/zipping; she's still a bit full in some areas (mostly the chest and hips) compared to my own size and shape. I may need to shave some of her foam down, as many others with similar issues have done to their own Uniquely You forms. I'm 5' 10" with a 36" bust, 27" waist & 38" hips. This form is at a 37-28-40, even after fitting the outer fabric shell to my own body. The base foam figure is already their size "Small", and their X-Small base form is too short in the torso for me. For now, it's something I can pin stuff to until I can make those adjustments.


Once I get all the grommets set and boning inserted in the corseted undergarment, I can do a little more adjusting to the seams to get a final fit. Then I'll finish the hem, face the top edge, add some very light boning to the bodice seams to keep things smooth, and put a light blue zipper up the back. Then I'll start applying the sequin and crystal decoration.
I wanted my dress to be a bit fuller at the hem than what is portrayed in the animated film. The richness of this fabric is amazing and I just wanted more of its gorgeous, icy, folds swishing around me as I walk, and cascading behind with the sheer glimmering cape.



9 comments:

  1. Looks awesome! I love the dress just like this.

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    1. Thank you!
      I wish I could just leave it just like this, but then it would be an unfinished dress ;-)
      This pattern turned out great though, and I'll be making many more dresses with it.

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  2. The fabric looks amazing! I bet this costume is going to be oh so gorgeous when it's finished. I love the shape of the whole dress, too, it's so smooth and beautiful!

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    1. Thanks! This really is a great dress pattern to work from. It's funny to think it came from a really basic 1980s strapless dress. It just has really nice seams + cut already, I merely added some length, but the combo kind of reminds me of a few of Mae West's "Edwardian inspired" gowns ;-)
      It's this Butterick pattern:
      http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u49/ViennaRouge/il_fullxfull466806044_3k6i.jpg

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  3. That fabric is wonderful for Elsa, it really has a wonderful icy shimmer. The whole thing is looking so elegant, I can't wait to see the final result.

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    1. Thank you! Yes, it's coming along nicely. I love it when I get to a point in a project, where it finally starts to look like what it's supposed to be.

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  4. OH what fun! Your progress is looking so great! Can't wait to see the finished product!!
    Blessings!
    Gina

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  5. The fabric looks absolutely perfect, and I love the flow in the skirt, I can't wait to see this finished!
    May I be so rude and ask if you mind sharing where you got it?

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