One of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of creating your own clothes is tailoring your design in a way that captures what inspired you to make it in the first place. Perhaps you saw a designer ad in a magazine. Maybe a friend wore an outfit that you coveted. Maybe it was some detail like a fabric or a stylish neckline. Whatever it was, you just knew you had to have something like it.
Off to the fabric store you go! But here’s where the challenge is. You almost certainly won’t get the exact fabric you saw. You more than likely will have to modify an existing pattern to suit your needs. Somehow you have to translate that look into your design, and this can get frustrating. Where do you start?
The Lovely Bones
Every design element has a name – Empire waist. Sweetheart neckline. Bias cut, ruching, overlay. It will help you a lot if you can analyze and name each aspect of your design. These basic building blocks are the foundation of every garment, and the same basic structure can create a daytime picnic dress or a red carpet formal. It is important to look past the presentation of a pattern for the basic cut that you want. Don’t get distracted by an ugly fabric choice or sleeves that aren’t quite right. You are looking for the bones.
This pattern from Butterick is basically an empire waist with a flared skirt. It is commonly known as a babydoll dress when cut above the knee.
From Max Studio UK
In a cotton or lace, it is a lovely design for a daytime dress. Wear it to a casual wedding or Sunday brunch.
Raspberry lace has a nice, simple design without scrolls or floral in a punchy spring color that would look great for a babydoll dress.
From BCBG
This babydoll dress from BCBG is a sparkly, jazzy, semi-formal. Sparkling organza is a great choice for this look.
Paisley Velvet Sheer is sophisticated with a discreet sparkle.
