At first, I paid little attention to this gown, thinking it too simple, but then when I saw pictures of it close up, I fell in love with it. So, the story goes, about a week ago, I was supposed to make the Wishing Gown for the talent competion in Miss Pre-teen NJ, but the price went well over 200 and to avoid guilt trips, I decided to not do it. (Tear - rest in peace... for now...) So, really funny, but the think of me gown is going to cost alot less than the wishing gown...
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Time taken for completion: Less than five days
Materials:
8 Yards of White Satin (Obviously polyester since I bought it from Rag Shop)
8 Yards of Crystal Glitter Tulle (Once again, polyester from rag shop)
1 Yard skin tone broadcloth for modesty panel
2 Yards Muslin for Lining
2 Yards Interfacing for Interlining
Elastic for sleeves.
Zip ties for "boning"
Zipper
Clear "crystal" sequins (Only used 500, nearly more than 1,500 were used in actual costume)
2 bottles of Gold Fabric Paint
Mccall Pattern
Grand Total = $60.00
Patterns
Mccalls 4775
The Process I used the mccalls 4775 bodice but had to make major adjustments! If you are doing this, I greatly recommend Truly Victorian's 1860's Ballgown Bodice.
The bertha isn't sheer. *EEK scandalous!* I made a modesty panel, by cutting out the satin and replacing it with the broadcloth. You have no idea how long it took me to find that fabric, but I finally found something that matched my skin tone. Afterwards, I simply took a long strip of 3" wind tulle and gathered it, then sewed it over the modesty panel. I would definitely tell you to use the Truly Victorian Ball Gown Bodice. Simplicity pattners HATE to be altered!
The overlayer on the skirt is not organza, it is tulle! I used a nice glittery looking shade that was well...cheap. So, having a budget, I bought that instead. It worked out beautifully. I wish that I didn't have to use that cheap satin from rag shop though....i wanted to order it from denverfabrics.com, but i had five days to do the dress.
The starbursts on the skirt are made from gold glitter fabric paint. After making the skirt, I hung it up on the door frame of my closet right in the middle of it. Since my room is small, I lifted the tulle from the satin, and pinned it to the wall and my bed as well as my dresser. From there, I made the starbursts. If you do it my way (my brother took a picture of it...it's somewhere here...) Put newspaper on the satin, because any of the paint that drips through is going to stick. Fabric paint is not kidding when it says permanent. Experiment a little at first and get used to using it because you will have a nightmare if it suddenly comes gushing out. If worse comes to worse and you need to remove it - don't use your fingers! Use nail polish remover! It took three days to get the paint off of my hands.
I hot glued (hot glue works best) three sequins onto the end of leg of each starbursts. It took me about three hours to get that done, but I had fun lying around on the kitchen floor. :) Sadly, I didn't have time to order any hot-fix rhinestones from Dream Time Creations.com so I had to buy crystal sequins which worked wonderful.
I had two petticoats underneath the skirt. One with a ruffle, and the other to go over that. I greatly suggest petticoats because they help to stop your hoops from showing through. The hoop I used was from This seller. It has worked wonderfully. The boning is plastic, collapses easily and won't break. You can adjust the hoop size easily, and even take the hoops in or out. I've never had a problem with it.
This is the hoop I used.
This is the hoop I would suggest because it is completely adjustable. Christine's Think of Me gown is quite full. Also, after a while, your hoops will start to break in...
Dress Diary
(An account of all of my entires posted on the Truly Victorian Forum.
Think of Me....
Think of Me Gown
New Pictures
LiLadyLuthien
There's alot of info on there that other users gave me! Truly victorian is such a great website! Everyone there has enough experience for a newbie or an advanced sewer. They help you with anything.