Balloon Dress (aka an Audition for Australia's Got Talent)

So, remember that I make balloons? And dresses? I also make balloon dresses! Recently, I auditioned for Australia's Got Talent, with a special dress just for the occasion! I had fun, but I don't think I'll be making it onto the show. But I'm okay with that!

I thought I would share some pictures with you from a mini photo-shoot me and my bestie had after the audition. I really think this is my most favourite balloon dress of all that I have made! 

It was a fun afternoon :) Got a few looks and questions (as you do) while we were in action. Yes, it is all made out of balloons. And no, I wasn't worried about the dress being popped or otherwise deflating!

If you want to see more of my balloons, you can be a fan on Facebook, visit my website or balloon blog! :)

Larkspur Summer Dress

UPDATED 18/05/13 to include pictures of me wearing the dress!

So I decided to enter the Project Sewn 'Sundress Challenge'.

In true deadline style, finished my dress with less than an hour to go!  I submitted my link to the link party 10 minutes before it closed to new submissions. Lucky.

Here in Australia it is nearly 7:30 at night, and my husband is out so unfortunately I don't have any pictures of me wearing the dress. Yet. But I plan on making him er, asking him nicely to take some proper pictures this weekend, outside and all... In the sun. As the purveyors of the challenge would be very glad to hear I'm sure!

Let's break down elements of how this dress came to be.

Inspirations

 THE FABRIC! Ever since I saw the Alexander Henry 'Larkspur' fabric online (probably someone's blog) it was love at first sight.

No project was ever worthy enough to cut into my beautiful fabric. Until now! 

KITTEN D'AMOUR An Australian clothing boutique that sells beautiful creations. Luckily for my purse,there are no stores in Darwin. 

These two dresses (although gorgeous!) were not my inspiration pieces per se, but it is to give you an idea about how lovely and inspiring their dresses are! You can even buy them here or here :)

Design

I had the unfortunate oversight of not ordering more of this yummy fabric. The advantage to this however was adding the solid teal boarder to lengthen the dress, otherwise it would be the most awkwardly short dress I have ever made!

The pattern was from one I have drafted on my dressmakers dummy, one I was creating for another dress entirely (with a fitted skirt no less :P) So this design was more organic and I let it come to me. The pictures below are developing the pattern for the other dress, but here you can see some of the design! Pattern pieces are made from draping on the dummy. And yes, I recycle sheets of paper by sticking them together!

The long sash connects into the side seams, and can be worn either to the front or back with a bow.

Construction

I'll take some photos soon to add of the insides of the dress etc I took great pains to match the fabric picture as best I could, and I'm really thrilled with how the birds of the bodice match up (there is three panels in the front, and 4 in the back).

Finishing techniques have been utilised to give it as much of a professional touch as possible. I hope to share those in these alleged photos :) Done!

 

Small touches really make the difference! A hand made loop for the hook and eye closure is something my instructor in my fashion design Cert IV really liked... So this is something I always try to consider when making my garments.

I even pulled out my overlocker... A machine of mine that doesn't get as much use as it should!

I'm so happy with my little dress. I am glad I was able to use this challenge as the opportunity to cut into my precious Larkspur fabric. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. Oh and I would really appreciate your vote if you believe I am worthy! Click here to see the other dresses and hopefully vote for me! ;)