Gold dress, black dress
Jul 22, 2011
Erin Bolton

The NYFA student black dress assignment is our first opportunity to put what we've learned about pattern making, design, and construction to the test (perhaps you recall this post on pattern making or even this one about draping?). The parameters of the assignment are that the dress be black (duh, but you'd be surprised at how many students resist that) and classic. Terry often tells students that the dress should be appropriate for things like a job interview or a night at the opera. I'd like to wear mine to our rehearsal dinner the night before Chris and I get married. :)

Here's a flat sketch of my design, which has a front and back cowl as well as a draped skirt:

 

This summer I've been drafting patterns and sewing mock-ups of the dress, or what we call muslins, to check the fit and overall drape.  The images below are of my final muslin sewn in a wonderful gold polyester.  Perhaps gold is the new black? I'm going to go with no, it's not, but it does give you an idea of where I'm going.

For the final dress, I chose a silk crepe back satin (pictured below). In class last night, my instructor touched the fabric and just said, "Yummy." There is really no other way to describe it.

More pictures to come as I keep sewing :) Have a great weekend everyone!

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