From Secret Garden to Derby Watch Party

 

There’s something magical about getting dressed up in something you’ve made yourself!

.....and that’s exactly how I felt heading into Atlanta Frocktails 2024. The theme was “Secret Garden”,  hosted by Aaronica Cole.

I've had this random vision of a dress in my head for over a year.  The original vision was actually for a blouse, but I decided to repurpose my not yet existing design into this fabulous (if I do say so myself) dress.  The fabric was purchased while in the fabric district of Los Angeles.  And yes.....I purchased more than just this fabric.  I am a certified fabric addict!  LOL

But when I saw this fabric, I purchased it with the intent to make something for Atlanta Frocktails.  Fast forward and I was wearing this beauty to a Derby Watch Party, hosted by the gentlemen of Kappa Psi Phi of Durham, NC.  

Now...let's get into the details.  This is a self drafted dress.  Not one pattern piece used.   

• The top is simply rectangles that were measured based on my desired coverage.  I added a V-bar in the center and hand stitched it in place so it wouldn't slip out of the casing.  

• The layers upon layers of sheer fabrics were made starting off with a circle skirt concept.  Except I did not cut the bottom into a hem, I simply let the length of the square fall at different lengths.  I used a light muslin as the inner most layer for coverage, a mauve georgette for the middle, and of course, that beautiful floral fabric on top.  

• The sleeves are attached under the arm onto the bodice.  I started them off by cutting rectangles and created oversized tubes, so they would be blousy and gather at the top and bottoms with the use of elastic.  

It was light, airy, feminine and dainty.  All of which caused me to feel exactly the same way.  

And of course I won a door prize at Frocktails!!  All smilez....