The Inspiration Behind the Dress:
This dress began with a simple idea: I wanted to create an outfit for a concert. From the start, I envisioned something whimsical and flowy, with ruffles and billowing fabric. However, I also wanted to stay practical, I hoped this would be a piece I could wear beyond just one occasion.
The inspiration for the outfit came from the album Evermore, which carries a strong sense of forest imagery, witchy fairytale landscapes, and storytelling. With that in mind, I set out to find something that captured that mood.
I knew that finding the right fabric would be the key to bringing this vision to life. After visiting my local fabric store, I came across a cotton satin fabric that immediately sparked inspiration. It had a rich, deep tone and a light, fluid drape that felt perfect for what I had in mind.
THE Design:
I knew from the start that I wanted to incorporate ruffles and create something that felt decadent and opulent. After spending time scouring Pinterest, I found several garments that captured the mood and aesthetic I was aiming for.
I envisioned the design as a dress that would fall to at least mid-calf, complete with ruffles and soft gathers to enhance its movement and sense of drama. As well as an invisible zip and hidden side pockets for function.
I sketched out a design that I feel reflects both the mood of the album and the story behind the piece, while still keeping it wearable enough for other occasions.
Materials Used:
- Cotton satin fabric
- Fabric scissors
- Medium weight interfacting
- Pins
- Invisible zipper
- Thread
- Thin elastic
The Drafting & Sewing:
This was my first time drafting a full dress, so I began by making a toile using scrap curtains, focusing only on the bodice as the tiered skirt is a design I’ve made before.
For the bodice, I used previous garments as a fit reference and adapted them for this design. It consists of 12 pieces, and getting the proportions, particularly the ruffles, was key. I chose an invisible zip in the side seam to keep the finish clean and uninterrupted.
In total, the dress required 17 fabric pieces. Working with cotton satin meant pinning carefully to prevent shifting, and marking the halfway points for all ruffles and gathers ensured even distribution.
The final piece:
I’m truly obsessed with how this dress turned out, it exceeded all of my expectations. The rich, satin fabric gives it a real sense of decadence, while the layers of ruffles and gathers add depth and movement to the piece.
What I love most is how a relatively simple technique like gathering has been used in multiple ways to create such a striking visual effect. It transforms the dress into something that feels dramatic.
If I were to make this dress again, I would finish it differently by using a rolled hem to neatly enclose the raw edges. However, aside from that, I am incredibly happy with the final outcome.
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