Brocade and Tulle Party Frock

By: burdastyle http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/brocade-and-tulle-party-frock

Last week I went to The Nutcrackerand in New York City ladies really dress up for the ballet which makes the event so much fun. I was inspired to make a party dress with tulle like a ballerinas costume and combine it with a richly hued brocade. Seeing that brocade can be quite expensive, this variation was perfect for using just 1/2 yard for the bodice. Made up of an overdress and an underdress, the Sibylle pattern is an excellent template for making a princess seamed bodice and full skirt. This version is super simplifiedyou leave out the over dress. If youre a fan of ballet, check out this blog post on Black Swan, the gorgeous and eerie feature film by Darren Aronofsky. 1

Materials
1/2 yard brocade; 6 yards tulle

Step 1 Print out and assemble pattern

Use pieces: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 20; Disregard others. PATTERN SLIP DRESS 1 Front center piece 2x 2 front side piece 2x 3 Back center piece 1x 4 Back side piece 2x 7 Front facing 1x 8 Back facing 1x 9 Shoulder straps 2x

Step 2 Interfacing

SEAM AND HEMLINE ALLOWANCES are included on an average: 5/8 (1.5 cm) for all edges and stitches. Using BURDA copying paper, transfer the lines and signs of the pattern onto the wrong fabric side. Instructions can be found in the packaging. INTERFACING Cut the interfacing pieces according to the cutting diagram and press onto the wrong fabric side. Sewing While sewing, the right fabric sides are facing. Transfer all lines of the pattern onto the right fabric side using basting stitches

Step 3 Sew Bodice

SLIP DRESS Top / princess seams Position the front side pieces on the front center pieces, right sides facing. Pin the front princess seams (seam 1) and stitch. Stitch the back princess seams the same way (seam 3). Neaten allowances and press, respectively, towards the center front and center back (a). Front center seam Position the front pieces together, right sides facing. Pin the front center seam. Stitch; ending at the seam allowance (arrow). Secure seam ends. Neaten allowances and press apart (b).

Right side seam Position the back piece on the front piece, right sides facing. Pin the right side seam (seam 5) and stitch. Neaten allowances and press apart.

Step 4 Tulle Skirt

Tulle skirt Stitch the tulle pieces together. Secure seam ends. Along the opening, press the allowances to the top. Stitch two rows of basting stitches at the top skirt edge. Tighten the bobbin thread to the width of the top skirt. Knot threads. Distribute the width equally (a). Pull the tulle skirt over the top skirt, the wrong side of the tulle skirt faces the right top skirt side. Pin the top edges. The opening allowances are exposed (b).

Step 5 Stitch skirt + zipper

Stitch the skirt Pin the skirt onto the right side of the bodice. Side seams meet. Topstitch the tulle skirt to the right side of the bodice. Zipper Neaten allowances along the opening, fold inside and pin. Press. Pin the zipper under the opening edge so that the little teeth are hidden. Stitch using a zipper foot, interrupting at the skirt seam and not catching the tulle skirt (b).

Step 6 Facing + Straps

Facing Position the back facing on the front facing, right sides facing. Stitch the side seam in an inverted mirror image position, in accordance to the dress seam. (seam 6). Press allowances apart. Neaten the bottom facing edge (a). Pin the facing on the top dress edge, right sides facing; side seams meet. Fold the side edges inside. Pin the facing and stitch. Trim allowances, snip in the front center (arrow) (b). Flip the facing up. Press the allowances of top dress edge and facing. Topstitch the facing, enclosing the allowances. Turn the allowances of the top dress and facing to the inside and stitch onto the zipper strap and the seam allowances . Shoulder straps: Fold straps in half lengthwise, right sides facing. Stitch _ (0.8 cm) along the fold line. Leave the threads long, thread them into a needle and knot (d). Push the needle through the tube (e). Pin the ends of the shoulder straps under the top dress edge at the princess seams. Adjust the strap length accordingly. Topstitch the shoulder straps on the princess seams or sew by hand.

Step 7 And you're done!

The finished look.

Brocade and Tulle Party Frock