I'm back in the community, carrying you along on the procedures of how I make my dresses and giving you fashion tips and hacks on how to blend the colours of your outfits. But, today, I will take you on a ride, how I made this classic beautiful gown. It won't take you much stress in case you want to replicate. Are you ready?
Materials needed are;
- 2yard of your desired fashion
- fabric
- Half a yard of Aso oke
- A roll Fringes
- Lining
- Thread.
This beautiful elegant lady walked into my office and said ‘Hello, I want to make a simple gown I can rock for an upcoming event I want to attend’
In my mind, why simple? Then again, simple dresses can be made classic depending on the style of your client.
We both discussed and she gave me the go-ahead to give it a look of beauty. At this point, there was a butterfly in my belly.
I sat back and looked at the material again, again and again then I thought of designing it with Aso Oke. After a longer thought, I decided I would add fringes to it. But, what color?
On my cutting table, I draft her body measurements on the fabric. The fashion fabric is two-yard and African print. Hence, the hand of the dress will be cut together with the body, so the gown will have a bit of a longer hand and I will extend it with the Aso Oke, I thought, I would prefer a three-quarter sleeve according to her earlier statement.
After cutting the drafted bodice, I placed it on the lining and cut it as well and then proceeded to the sewing machine for the lining.
Less I forget, neatness is our food, both the inside and the outside. Therefore, I cut the Aso Oke design for the front and stitched the black colour fringes under before I used the lining to turn the front to gain that neat look. Who can relate, when sewing, the neatness of the dresses will boost your morale that you are doing well.
When I was done with the lining, I ironed it for proper balancing after all what is sewing without ironing?
Then I went back to the sewing machine and joined the dress with the body measurement and she was definite about not shaping the dress to be tight. And remember she told me to add a pocket, she is a businesswoman and she likes gowns with pockets.
The picture on your screen is the outcome of the simple gown she asked me to make. One of the challenges I encountered when making this gown was getting Aso Oke that matched the flowered patterned fabric. It was a friend of mine who later gave me the one I used, she also collected it from her mother. Her mother said she no longer needed them.
Using the Aso Oke as patches makes it look beautiful right? I know… recycling in fashion makes fashion fun too. How does my client look even though she said I shouldn't add her face?
I will conclude by saying, face the challenges that are about to weigh you down and turn them into a beautiful piece like the masterpiece I created.
Love you, till I write again.
