Frantastic Creations

06/04/2026

The bodice is completed, included a hidden side zipper. The skirt needs to be hemmed and a zipper inserted… but I will wait until the week of the wedding to make sure that it fits perfectly at the waist!

03/22/2026

What does a preliminary test sew look like? Well, this. Looking at the neckline, the skirt length, the ease in the armhole, the overall silhouette. I am not unhappy. What you don’t see is that there is too much fabric in the back and judicious darts will have to be created for a better fit.
I like the basque waist, the neckline, and I am trying to decide whether or not I like the placement of the princess seams.

03/16/2026

03/16/2026

This is the not so sexy, tedious part of dressmaking… pattern drafting!
I created a bodice block made to my exact measurements and projected it onto paper. Then I cut it out of spare fabric, just to make sure I liked the fit.
The next step is to make changes to the paper pattern. I am looking at princess seams and a bateau neckline. Perfect to give shape and structure, but also quite forgiving to the mom waistline. Let’s see how it will go!

03/11/2026

Started today on a project that has been noodling around in my brain… channeling my inner Scarlett O’Hara to see if I can turn a rather lovely sheer curtain into a formal dress.
Today, I cut a prototype for the circle skirt, and played with embellishments. My favorite right now is a highly structured quilted bodice with bust and waist darts that will mimic princess seams.