Sunday, August 4, 2013

Flaming Red, Tessuti Awards 2013 entry

This is my entry for the Tessuti Awards 2013.

The brief was to create a knee length (or just above) dress that's all about the WOW and NOW factor. Something that would fabulous at a red carpet event, swanky cocktail party, the races or a fancy formal wedding. You must use either their Flame Red fabric which is a french taffeta or the Phantom Black, a dobby spot which is also a French fabric. The prizes are amazing, a flight valued at $2500 is first prize and an overlocker is second. I was not sure if I wanted to enter as there are so many amazing and creative sewers out there and last years entry's were incredible.

I happened to be in the store about a month ago and was discussing with the ladies there how I wasn't going to enter this year however with a little persuasion they convinced me to give it a go. I had a dress in mind that would be perfect for Tafetta. It was a Chloe dress I'd seen on the S/S 2013 runway shows. Lots of ruffles and tucks, perfect.

I designed my own pattern by draping first and then transferring onto a muslin. After alot of frustrating attempts at draping the bodice, I finally got it right (I think). I fully lined the bodice and skirt and also used the bustier techniques which I had previously practiced following Gerties instructions on the Bombshell dress lesson. 


I also boned the bustier which makes the bodice stay up really well. I added a belt to the waist to give it a bit more shape as I thought it was a bit frumpy looking. It did the trick. I added a big red button to the back of the belt.



It's not perfect by a long shot, but I'm very happy with how it looks.
I have my nephews wedding coming up soon so I don't have to worry about figuring out what to wear now.

Thanks to my partner Tone for taking some fabulous shots and making me look better than I really am.
Also, thanks for the champagne, I really enjoyed that after a hard day modelling!





boning the bodice
Draping the tucks

19 comments:

  1. What a beautiful dress! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Looks like lots of blood, sweat and tears has gone into this stunning dress which you look amazing in. Well done Annie, I love it and you will be getting my vote.

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    1. Thank you Marjorie , you are right a lot of heartache has gone into this dress.
      Fingers crossed but I have picked a winner already.

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  3. Wow. Awesome, gorgeously beautiful.

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  4. This is excellent! I saw your entry on their website and tried to Google your blog but I only came across it after clicking on your pinterest feed (which is like 3rd on the list?). Really happy to have found another local sewist especially such a talented one. That capelet is tres chic. Off to delve into your archives now. See you around.

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    1. Thankyou! I have seen your blog before through your feature on Burdastyle. I love your style too. Must be the Melbourne influence. All those lattes and people watching. I'm just about to post another dress which I finished last week whilst on holidays in Bali.

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  5. It's so pretty, I love the red and all the ruffles :)

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    1. Thanks Zoe. I love ruffles it adds a bit of 80's to it.

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  6. Ok. I'm sold. You're going to be my dress adviser after seeing this dress. It's stunning.

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  7. Thank you! Will talk dresses in Bendigo at the meet up.

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  8. All of the hard work has definitely paid off in this stunning dress! Just love it ... J

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    1. Thankyou J, it was hard work thats for sure. Making your own pattern is so much more challenging than just following one.

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  9. This dress is amazing!!!!!!!!!

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  10. I just came across your blog via Project Sewn, and am reading back through all your posts :) but had to stop and say WOW, this is an awesome dress - I wish I had half your skill!!!

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    1. Thankyou Gabrielle. I'm actually going to enter this in the final week Project Sewn as I have been too busy with School fete sewing to make something. It really does sum me up in a dress anyway.

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