Debi very kindly asked if I would post a tutorial on how I extended my bias-cut top pattern to turn it into my leopard-print dress, and I'm almost embarrassed to show this diagram. It's so haphazard and unscientific! But here's what I did:
So yeah...that's all there is to it! Just grab a meterstick and line it up with the side seam angles, then extend out. FYI, to get the tea-length dress I extended out by about 25" at the side seams, and 29" at the back. The more you angle out that back line (or even the sides, if you have the fabric for it), the more flare the skirt will have. Hopefully that helps if you're thinking about turning a top into a dress. And thank you, dear readers, for all the kind things you had to say about that dress! I wasn't sure about it, but you've all convinced me that it doesn't deserve to go to the back of the closet.
On a totally different note, I've been finishing up the trimming on my shieldmaiden gown, and I'm beginning to think about accessories. One dilemma I have is what to do about my hair -- it's obviously too short for the standard lady of Rohan -- but is it worth it to try and get a wig? And if I do get a wig, should I go with one that matches my natural hair color, or blonde like Eowyn's? Or just rock the short hair?
Crazy that two of the three "You might also like" posts offered at the end of this one have you covered in what I presume to be fake blood. I wonder why the bot selected those posts? Anyway, I enjoy your fake-torials. It gives me confidence that I can make things up if I want...
ReplyDeleteNow the recommended posts are about cats! It must just be inside my head...
DeleteRocking short hair would be awesome! But as a wig alternative, you might be able to find a hairpiece on a comb? Slide it in at the back and tadah! Hair. I've got a couple and they are useful!
ReplyDeleteA hairpiece on a comb - I like that idea. I vote against a wig because they are hot and uncomfortable and you will prob be scratching your head all day. At least that's what always happens to me.
Deleteblonde wig!! full disclosure, I have no idea who Eowyn is, but I figure if you are going to bother to get a wig it might as well be blonde. and match the look you're going for. So my vote would be 1) blonde wig 2) rocking the short hair 3) wig matching your natural hair color.
ReplyDeleteAlso, yay for 'metersticks,! I hate inches :)
I'm sure Mr. Cation wouldn't mind a wig. ;)
ReplyDelete(P.S. I just want you to know that I actually made the effort to move from the living room off my phone and into the office onto a desktop JUST to type this comment. It was that important of a message to get through to you.)
thanks so much darling... I totally know what you mean when sharing methods with others.. we get exposed by trying to help and that can get back to bite us. I love you called a faketorial.. i think you are so clever and love your methods.
ReplyDeleteI say rock the short hair! You can be all "long hair gets all up in my helmet so I am hacking it off like a boss to slay me some sassy orcs". Fierce! Though wigs are fun... But itchy... Can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteToo blonde wig definitely! I love that you called it a fake trial!! Teehee. Thanks so much for posting!
ReplyDeletethat's my 'pattern drafting' process too hehe.. it's totally crazy when someone ask 'how you made that?' and i can't explain (i often don't even bother to make redrafted pattern piece, i just go ahead and cut the fabric.. sometimes it works, sometimes it fails miserably)
ReplyDeleteYour method for redrafting your shirt into a dress is a sound one and I truly appreciate you letting your readers know your skill level. It's nice to share what you know with others in the sewing community, but I think it's important to let them know your background. The term Faketorial is fun, a little overstated but it caught my attention. My Mom used to lay fabric on the floor, place a pattern that was kinda close to what she wanted to do and simply start cutting, making the changes with her scissors. I had plenty of nice clothes made in this fashion, but she now feels completely inadequate because I officially learned Pattern making...She often asks me how to do something, listens carefully, and then says " Yeah, I don't want to do it like that" and proceeds with the methods that have always worked for her. It cracks me up. Her approach creates some very unique garments as there is a lot of creative problem solving through out the process.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the long winded post:(
<3 your mom, that's fantastic- I tend to sew the same way, tweaking and restitching until I get something I like. :)
DeleteThanks for the faketorial! :-) As for the hair, I'd say either the hair comb idea from above or just rock the short hair. ;-)
ReplyDeleteDe-lurking to say you should totally rock the short hair! I'm actually surprised Éowyn didn't chop hers off to make it easier to pass as a boy. I can't imagine it would be fun to stuff that much hair under a helmet. However, if you're totally in love with the long haired look (which would be understandable), I think you should stick with a wig or hair comb in your natural color. Who says shieldmaidens can't be raven-haired?
ReplyDeleteI think a short-haired shieldmaiden is an awesome idea! Also, your faketorials are actually really helpful--they always remind me that I don't have to be a fashion designer/pattern designer/born with some weird kind of genius to re-work patterns for the "desired effect". Thanks for the inspiration! :)
ReplyDeleteI have had similar hair questions as I've pondered making a sheildmaiden dress. I think if you are going to wear a wig, then go blond for the heck of it. However, I think you could also do a pretty braid design in your hair as is and it would still look nice.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I quite appreciate your faketorials. If it works, it works. I keep wanting to make the jersey maxi dress you provided instructions for a long time ago, but Seattle is not really warm enough for it. :)
Maybe you could just get a long braid to pin into your hair? A wig would probably be fun, but annoying if you plan to wear it for long.
ReplyDeleteLove your little sketch. I have plenty of similar ones in my sewing journal. :)
LOL i love it... I'm going to use this terminology from now on, because I've dealt with the same thing. I somehow manage to come off as knowing what I'm talking about when really I'm just flailing around, trying to figure things out myself! LOL I love sharing my discoveries but I really don't want people to think I'm some kind of expert, so 'faketorials' is a PERFECT description - well done! ^__^
ReplyDeleteI know a shieldmaiden is from a totally different time and place, but it reminded me of Joan of Arc, who had short hair, and was quite a badass lady... just sayin' ;)
Wigs are fun because you can so thoroughly change your hair! If you go with a comb, then match. But if a full wig then why not experiment? You might look awesome with a mane of red or blond locks!
ReplyDeleteI've used that patterning method and seen it used by others in costume shops many times. You definitely have understanding of the engineering of sewing, which is half the battle for any project. One cutter/draper I once worked with never even made patterns - she just cut! Don't know how she did it but it always worked somehow! (On a similar note, I was surprised that in a lot of my childhood experimenting with sewing methods, I somehow managed to figure out a lot of the legitimate ways of doing things. Trust your instincts - you have a good talent for problem solving.)
ReplyDeleteAs for the hair, a wig would be really fun and you could style it in advance. =)
~ Brooke
I think you've just coined a new word, faketorial. Thank you for sharing it. :)
ReplyDeleteI say rock your short hair, as it is gorgeous as it is! And not having any sort of hairpiece will be one less thing to worry about. There's no sense spending all of this time making a gorgeous dress for an event you anticipate, then spent the event worrying if your hair is still on straight. ;)
Rock the short hair! A decent wig that l looks nice will cost a fortune! Embrace the difference!
ReplyDeleteP.s. I think a lot of us just make it up as we go along, so no one will blame you for that!
I think you'd look great with just your short hair, rebel Rohan?
ReplyDeleteI think a shieldmaiden is totally justified rocking the short hair, but if your soul cries out for a wig, blonde would be awesome. Just, as others have mentioned, not the most comfortable...
ReplyDeleteAnd I get you on the faketorial. I like the Selfish Seamstress's take on it, way back when: it basically boiled down to, you're not paying me, so I have no obligation to produce any better product than I feel like. :)
Faketorials, lol. You know what? I think that sewing is an art and craft as well as a technical / mathematical science and see no reason why somebody can't make up a new / their own way of doing things. That's how new ideas start! So, I don't think anybody should feel like they are doing the "wrong" thing by making up a tutorial, if they are not a couture sewist with 25 years experience.
ReplyDeleteI have made up my own patterns already and have posted them, with only a few months experience! If somebody doesn't want to follow it, more power to them. It's not like any of us is saying "Do It This Way or Else!". Lol. Thanks so much for posting your tutorial! Fake or not. :)
Go with your short hair!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for drawing my name for the trench coat pattern!!