Blue Corseted Ballgown

[romancedinthepast]

Hello everyone!

Typically I'm a pretty dedicated lurker, but I wanted to share this. I've been sewing for quite some time now, about ten years, and I think this is one of the prettiest things I've ever made.

I'm going to a Harry Potter convention on Tuesday, and one of the events is a ball with the theme of "Masquerade." I'm primarily a costume designer and decided I had to have something spectacular. I also wanted to use up some of my stash, rather than buying anything new. I have an addiction to fabric and I need to use up some of what I have before I go buying more.

I pulled out a piece of this incredible dark blue shot taffeta with a flocked scrollwork design down one of the selvage sides that I've had for a year or so and couldn't decide what to do with it. I started doodling and this is what I came up with!

The bodice is a corset based off of Vogue pattern V2810. I didn't feel like drafting my own and this one was long enough in the torso to go down over my hips as well as high enough to keep the girls from being up in everyone's face. The beading was done in swarovski crystals I also had in my stash, and the silver medallions I actually found in the scrapbooking department a couple years ago at Michaels. I knew I'd find a use for them eventually!

The skirt is just the selvage side cut to length and then roll pleated to a waistband. It was so easy and came out rather nicely in my humble opinion. : )

The second picture is of the mask (can't go to masked ball without a mask) that a friend of mine made for me specially for the dress. I fell in love with some on a website I found a couple years ago, and my friend offered to do it for me for my birthday. I love it and I hope you all do too!

Thanks for looking!

[LovieDovieAnn]

This rocks! It's very well made! 

[shmac]

That is so beautiful.

[imwomn13]

I love the dress! The corset is beyond perfect and the mask your friend made is a perfect compliment to the dress. Have fun at the ball...

[razziesbaby]

this is like so freekin awesome!!!! you have jus inspired me to finally make a corset!!

[hyerac]

This DEFINITELY rocks!  The dress is gorgeous, the mask is awesome... *speechless*

[PaisleyMoose]

This is BEAUTIFUL! It looks os well made and the perfect fit. WOWZA! Have fun at the convention!

[digital misfit]

The dress is gorgeous, and it looks beautiful on you - perfect fit & very flattering.

I want that mask!

[June 21 Beach Bride]

Whoa! Fabulous dress!

[iheartcheese]

Love it! Very flattering and a lovely color.