This weeks design is a homage to one of my favourite designers, Vivienne Westwood. The understated neckline drape and off-centre skirt drape are characteristic of her wonderful draped dresses.
Green Velvet Drape - A homage to Ceil Chapman 1950
Over a year ago I found the image of this amazing vintage dress on Pinterest, compliments of Mill Street Vintage. Unfortunately (for us) it has been sold and is no longer in their shop. So I made up the back view to hopefully balance with the wonderful design detail on the front.
The original Drape Shift #PatternPuzzle post has turned out to be the best performing of all our blog posts over the past two years. It has pattern making instructions for the knit version of this design which is admittedly far more straight forward than the woven fabric version featured in this post. So in response to many requests I have detailed here the pattern making instructions to make this design for woven fabrics.
Once again our weekly #PatternPuzzle is focused on doing wicked things with darts! The design is a classic in many ways and uses a very flattering diagonal seam. The drape is sent in opposite directions to encourage the eye to take in the whole garment.
The idea behind this weeks #PatternPuzzle is to use a classic drape style to show how the fitting darts in my dress block turn into drape according to design. And to also have a go at making my pattern making technique as clear as I can.
This kimono styled dress was quite a challenge in the pattern making department. Firstly you have to decide if the wrap over is an authentic two-layer wrap or if you are going to seam the pieces together. I've gone for the two layer option and included a zip in the CB seam as the only place where the two bodice layers join.
Identify the elements in a design that you particularly like. Using your drawing skills to re-work these elements in a design more suited to your needs or your market. This is the beginning of design development in any new season, when you look to the top end of the market for inspiration.
Another great turnout on Saturday with loads of new fans having a go at the #PatternPuzzle. And in the end, it was the simplest of design features that generated the most creative answers. This bias cut dress has a more generous cowl that is made possible by that tricky centre front seam
The Saturday #PatternPuzzle was the usual flurry of answers and great ideas from all our fans. This weeks' bias cut dress with asymmetric placement of large tucks is fast becoming a favourite and already the pattern has been made for the first toile.
Our fans made quick work of the #PatternPuzzle on Saturday morning. In the end, they realised that most of the design detail was on the back of this garment with the front remaining quite clean.