CTS1: Dress Design

I N I T I A L  S K E T C H  & D E V E L O P M E N T

first idea

second sketch

final sketch

F L A T S

c u t t e r ‘s  m u s t

s w a t c h e s

M U S L I N

drawing the bodice seam:

mistake – I did not realize the darts of the bodice would alter the seam’s line

 

correction:

sleeve

bodice front lining:

  

bodice back and lining

Top

lining

S K I R T

pattern

cut out:

nylon net draping

sewn on lining:

outer skirt sewn on,

F I T T I N G

(my model was not available at this time, so I asked someone of same size for fitting)

 

C O R R E C T I O N S

 from the muslin skirt :

remove side seams of skirt

extend zipper into skirt

pleat one side of the bodice

make sleeve armhole longer

close darts on the bodice

I made another muslin bodice because of the design change:

F I N A L  D R E S S  C O N S T R U C T I O N  P R O C E S S

F I N A L  P H O T O S

basic views

 

I L L U S T R A T I O N

R E F L E C T I O N

I learned a lot about considering the inside of the garment when constructing my dress – the inside of the garment actually took most of the time to construct. I lined the entire dress with a comfortable rose colored lining, except for the skirt for which I chose a gold lining for moments when the inside of the skirt would show since the skirt is very structured. From the last two projects, I learned to take more time to choose the right fabrics that not only would I have to be excited to work with, but are also the correct weight, material, and support. The lessons I learned from my previous projects help make this one the most successful. I chose a strong nylon netting, but also a sturdy yet lightweight outer layer – the brocade – to achieve the skirt shape I want. To play with color and make the design more fun, I chose a gold satin which complimented the brocade very well.

My inspiration for the dress started from a plain sketch from design studio, in which I combined Chinese and Western elements. I learned to develop my ideas into stronger conceptual ones by exaggerating the traditional Chinese seam that starts at the neckline, and turning it into something different. I also researched Chinese porcelain plates in Design Studio and I used my research as inspiration for the skirt’s shape. I am very glad that I did not stick with my original idea and that I developed it more. Overall, I am very happy that I still kept the same inspirations of mixing East and West aesthetic but I created something new and different.

O P E N  S T U D I O S