Aurora’s Blue Gown – With a Sparkly Twist – Sleeping Beauty Costume Replica
Aurora’s Blue Gown – With a Sparkly Twist – Sleeping Beauty Costume Replica

Aurora’s Blue Gown – With a Sparkly Twist – Sleeping Beauty Costume Replica

Aurora's Blue Gown - PinterestIf you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen some progress photos, as well as the finished photos, of a Sleeping Beauty replica.  Last year, I was commissioned to replicate Aurora’s blue gown with some extra details (shown in the sketch below.) Sketch provided by customer.

icm_fullxfull.180842151_2dzwizxi2cpwo8o880oo
The main difference between the original and this gown is the gems which are placed along the hem and sleeves.

As usual, I try to capture the progress of every project I make.  These photos eventually, and hopefully, end up in a blog post!

I’ve got news! These progress photos have made it to da’ blog! Not only to this post, but I have three (yes, 3!) more posts about the techniques used in the gown.

I’ll be dedicating a tutorial post to each of the following techniques:

Alright, now let’s get to the part of the post that you clicked to view!

Aurora’s Blue Gown – Progress Photos & Description

First thing’s first; I sent the customer a draft which she adjusted to her shape. After that stage was complete, I was able to start the bodice.

On a side note, this gown will be worn with a Victorian Corset, made by yours truly.  Someday, I hope to provide ready-to-ship historical corsets.  We’ll see when that happens, but it’s on the goal list!

This gown is made of a blue heavy bridal satin and a lighter blue satin with a petticoat of organza and white bridal satin.

To give the bodice more stability, I interlined the bodice with a cotton muslin.  Once I got both of these layers cut, I basted the bridal satin pattern piece to the corresponding cotton piece.

After this, I proceeded to pin all the pieces together.

Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-2-2The idea of interlining means to have a “lining” sewn into and with each piece of the bodice to create extra stability and support to the fashion fabric.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-3With this gown, I guesstimated my seam allowances as I cut out the piece.  In order for this type of cutting to work, I used my tailors chalk to trace the sewing lines on each piece.

When pinning the pieces together, I matched the chalk line of the various pieces.  To achieve this, I stuck a pin into the chalk line and if it came out in the other piece’s chalk line, I’ve successfully lined up the pieces!
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-5Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-9After I got the bodice sewn together, I tackled the hip band thing…don’t you like my creative name for that?! 😛

The Hip-Band-Thing

The band is made of a satin with a interlining of cotton muslin and the back of the band has another piece of satin.

I got all those pieces sewn together.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-10In order to achieve a smooth seam alone this very crooked and pointy edge, there’s a bit of trimming to be done.

First, I trimmed both layer of the satin to just under a 1/4″.  I left the muslin with a 1/2″ allowance.  This gradient trimming creates a smooth, unnoticeable transition from 6 layers of fabric (the pattern pieces plus seam allowances), to 3 layers (just the pattern pieces).Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-12Secondly, I clipped the inverse points. This will allow the seam allowance to spread open when turned to the inside.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-13Now for the points, I trimmed as much of the seam allowance away as possible.  The least amount of fabric in the point will create the smoothest point.  On the other hand, too little fabric, and the edge will fray and the seam will come apart.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-14To help the seam turn well, I pressed the seam allowance to the back of the piece.  This just gives a nice press to the edge and will help achieve a smoother edge.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-17Turn the piece right side out and the first step is to turn the points….nearly a nightmare… but not when you have this handy technique at your ready, it’s not longer one! Next week’s post will bring a tutorial your waiting mind!Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-26To finish up the edges, press the lining edge so that it’s slightly behind the front edge.

A picture to help:Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-29That part is finished!Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-30I’ve got the bodice sewn and the hip-band-thing is just pinned in place.  Before I attach it to the bodice, I decided to attach the sleeves.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-36Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-38

The Sleeve Cuffs

Since the style of these sleeve need a tight and smooth fit, I wanted the least amount of fabric and bulk in the cuff.  I decided on a turned up cuff and no lining.  This decision does result in the raw edges being exposed.  But no worries, the finished result is neat and tidy!

For the corners, I used this method of a fold to create a crisp corner: Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-31Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-32Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-33

Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-34
After pressing the corner fold, I need it to cool while it’s being held it in place…my seam roll worked just fine!

Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-35Now for some hand-stitching! And what better to watch/listen to, than Brendon Burchard! I’ve found his teaching and motivational classes to by highly, well, motivational. 🙂

Check out his Podcasts and Videos if you’re in need of inspiration and motivation, whether it’s for your business or just regular-old-life! But, you won’t think of life as regular, old, or boring once you’ve heard him speak.

(BTW, I’m not associated with his business, I’m just REALLY INSPIRED by his work.  By sharing, I hope you might have some of the same motivational outcome that I’ve experienced!)Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-40

Oh, here’s the stitch I used for the cuff!
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-42Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-43Sleeves need a lot of pinning to keep them in smoothly in place!Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-44

The White Collar

To achieve a crisp sturdy collar, I used a layer of cotton muslin and fusible interfacing beneath the layer of white bridal satin.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-47Since both sides of the collar would be visible, both of the pieces had the same treatment.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-49Gradient trimming the seam allowances.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-50Since the collar has a slight curve to it, I also pinked the wider seam allowances.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-51Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-52After turning it right side out and pressing the edge, the collar is ready to be attached to the bodice.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-54One side of the collar is sewn to the bodice.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-55The seam allowance of the bodice and collar will be in the collar. Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-57The second piece of the collar (the back piece of fabric) will lie flat.  I’ve tacked down this edge and this will give the lining a nice place to attach.  Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-87If you’re not quite following, here’s a (hopefully) better explanation.

The outer piece of the collar has a lower seam allowance that is tucked up inside the collar (along with the top edge of the bodice).  The inner piece of the collar (which lays against the body) has it’s lower seam allowance laying flat and is basically “inside” the bodice and the lining.

The bodice, with the hip-band-thing and the collar attached.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-59The Flowing Skirts

As with the majority of the gowns I make, there’s always a petticoat with plenty of layers!

This petticoat is made of 25 yards of organza with plenty of circle skirts!Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-1The outer layer of the petticoat is white bridal statin with a scalloped hem.  This was my first scalloped hem, ever! It was a fun challenge and actually took a lot less time than I imagined.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-64In two weeks, you’ll get a post with an in-depth tutorial of my process! Scalloped Hem-66The outer layer of the petticoat, as well as the skirt of the gown, is a 3/4 of a circle.  The waist features 4 reversed darts (as I like to call them!) Regardless of what I call them, I believe the actual name is a Dart Tuck.  I first used this type of dart in my replica of Clara’s Toy Solider Outfit from “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”.

For the seams in the skirt, I used the serger along the seam allowances, sewed the pieces together, then pressed the seams open.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-62

*Tip* When a skirt has a seam that’s cut on a bias (even a slight bias), the edge has that characteristic stretch. When you sew the skirt pieces together with a regular straight stitch, the stitches inhibit the stretch of the fabric. This sometimes creates a slight pucker to the seam.  To solve this problem, I’ve learned a fairly simple fix.
Use a very small zig-zag stitch….what?!? Yup, just add a slight zig-zag to your stitch.  This makes the stitches to have a slight give, allowing the entire seam to keep that stretch!

Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-64Here’s that reverse dart…or dart tuck.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-63Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-66Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-68Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-69With the skirt made, the bodice is attached to the skirt!Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-70Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-71Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-74The inside of the dress, once the skirt was attached.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-77This was the hard part…making holes in a perfectly good bodice…Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-79Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-82To tie it all together, I wanted matching lacing for the laced-up back (pun intended).

Coming at you in three weeks; an easy tutorial on making lacing.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-121Before I seal the inside up with the lining, capturing a few pics of the neat seams is always appropriate!Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-85The herringbone stitch is a fundamental stitch in my studio.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-90For the collar, I attached 3 hooks and eyes. After sewing the 3 hooks on, I pinned the closure together.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-91Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-92Since the closure is secure, I can place the eyes exactly where they need to be to keep the opening tight and closed.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-93Take the pins out and you have a tight, non-gaping closure.Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-95Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-96Now that the majority of the tasks are done, the hem can be tackled.  Since the hem is a circle, you know the issue that always comes up; the circumference issue!

I recently released a blog post on circle hems and the process I sometimes use. With this particular fabric, I didn’t feel like that technique would work.  So I used a different one.  One which is way fast, and just as good…coming at you in four weeks!

(Plus, I’ll be releasing a $5 ebook that contains 5 ways to hem a circle skirt. I hope to release it in April…so stay tuned.)Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-136Adding the Sparkly Twist

Using a mixture of crystal gems in 3 different sizes, I created a gradient pattern along the hem and sleeve cuffs.  To spruce is up a bit, there’s also sprinkling of topaz gems among the pattern.
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-141I use the Gem-Tack glue for the gems.

To apply the small amount of glue needed, I use a syringe with a tiny tip. For the glue I use, I prefer the 18 gauge tip.

In order to easily apply the gems to the glue, I use a wax tip gem picker.  I originally purchased a different style of wax tip, but after seeing these online, they seem to make the most sense.  Mainly, they’re sharpen-able! My original tip is not sharpen-able so eventually the tip became un-sticky and fat. Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-142Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-144Blue Sleeping Beauty - Progress-146

The Finished Gown
Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-3Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-12Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-16Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-14Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-18Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-22Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-24Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-39Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-31Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-40Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-43Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-46Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-49Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-56Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-55Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-57Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-58Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-62

My sister was able to quickly try on the gown, but since she’s not the same size as the customer, the fit isn’t quite right…but enjoy the photos!Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-69Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-70Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-72Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-77Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-80Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-83Blue Sleeping Beauty - Finished-81

Psst..If you happen to like the links I shared and decide to purchase the product, I’ll make a small earnings. Just FYI!
Thanks for looking and learning with me! ~ Bella MaeAurora's Blue Gown - Pinterest

0 Comments

  1. Pingback: The Scalloped Hem: Step Up Your Hem Game! – Bella Maes Sewing Corner

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *