anr_designs

This was a mid-term project for my Structure and Fit class. For our sketchbook assignment, we took pictures of ten paintings by our favorite artist and created a design based upon that picture. This dress was inspired by this painting by Georgia O'Keeffe and is part of my Wearable Art Line.

Click on the dress sketch for a larger picture.

The original design is the blue dress on the left above. After working the design more and altering the collar a bit (getting it to stand like the original probably wasn't feasible), the design morphed into the one on the right. We then did a color study and I decided upon the purple after finding Baroque satin in three perfect shades.

This dress is all one piece, featuring three different colors: the left and right are lighter purple and then dark purple for the collar and front panel. There is a small 'train' in the back that really only adds fullness to the skirt and an invisible zipper in the back to close it. The sleeves I love - they're lined in the contrasting fabric of its mirror side and dip down from the wrist, giving the sleeve a more old-world look. The collar is a rolled collar and is interfaced so that it can stand up if needed. The hem is blind stitched and a gold corded belt finishes the look. The most difficult part of this garment was cutting out the fabric! I had to be very careful to make sure that the fabric was cut out in the right direction and for the correct side of the dress (i.e. one color for the left, another for the right).

As this was one of the first dresses I made outside of a commercial pattern, there are a few things I would change, such as the 'train' in the back which really isn't a train, as well as the fact that my interior seam finishes aren't that clean. Also, the facing for the collar doesn't really work that well - I would lengthen it more so that the edges aren't in danger of showing when the collar is folded back.

Left to Right: full, neckline, sleeve detail
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