https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 18:22:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-501690 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 12:28:48 +0000 Mrs. J 501690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Being someone that size, I remember having a corset back for my prom dress to the best thing because strapless always falls down. Mine was an open corset back, and the dress was ankle length tulle. I loved it because I felt like a ballerina without being overwhelmed by tulle! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-501613 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 11:25:50 +0000 MrsBrewer 501613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just an update.</p> <p>Beginner mistake here. This heinous bought the wrong sized pattern! My sister is a size 2-4 and I bought the pattern for sizes 12-20. Hahahaha oh we'll. we are making a trial run dress with just cheap muslin fabric and some tulle. So far yesterday we cut out the pattern pieces and have it all pinned to the fabric! I think we will work on it again next weekend! I will update more as I go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-487385 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:25:11 +0000 78h2o 487385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Leave yourself a lot of time! My mom made me a homecoming dress once and I vivedly remember my date waiting downstairs while she finished up! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486789 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:59:41 +0000 Mrs. Tricycle 486789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: I always thought patterns ran small - so much vanity sizing that a size 8 in ready to wear may be a size 12 in more traditonal pattern sizing. You'll be fine if you take measurements and go by those when selecting what pattern size to use, rather than just picking the size she "normally" wears.</p> <p>If you've never used a pattern, they can be tricky. The are lots<br /> of symbols and notations that you need to understand (like the arrow that indicates bias, etc.).</p> <p>It's doable, but you might have to Google to figure some of it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486582 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:45:57 +0000 loveisstrange 486582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: Patterns run big, in my experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486468 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:00:12 +0000 MrsBrewer 486468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: I actaully found some tulle at our fabric store that has like the sparkle already in the fabric, and some have the little beads on it already! So I think we would go that route!</p> <p>I loooove the workers at fabric stores, they are always beyond amazing! I will definitely talk to them and make sure I have everything needed! Do patterns normally run big or small? Just because most patterns that I've been seeing are for sizes 4 and up. And my sister is maaaybe a size 2, probably more like a 0 though </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486441 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:50:29 +0000 blackbird 486441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sewing is easy :) I'm a big believer that if you can follow directions, you can sew something. When you go to a fabric store, talk IN DEPTH to the ladies there. They will make sure you have the right needles, know how to set your sewing machine right (it makes all the difference with satin!!!) and the right thread (again, you need the right thread!) </p> <p>That looks like a relatively simple dress to me! The top looks pretty easy--zippers are kind of a bia, but whatever--and the skirt will be easy, too! You can do them in two separate pieces and then put them together. OR you can make them two pieces, period. </p> <p>I definitely second the note above about a practice run with muslin. Sometimes instructions aren't super clear or you have to kind of wing something and it's good to make notes on sizing/etc on a crappy fabric. I find that most fabric patterns don't run true to size for clothing, so that'll help you size it properly for your sister, too!</p> <p>I wonder if you can find some kind of spray-on glitter for the poofy skirt....surely there is something out there in the world of fabrics for that effect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486396 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:39:19 +0000 loveisstrange 486396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: i probably have picture of mine. :) Let me see if I can find them when I get home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486393 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:37:43 +0000 MrsBrewer 486393@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: Thank you!!! hahahah alright you gave me hope now! :-) </p> <p>I promise to come back to this thread and update as I make progress! Hopefully I will have some photos to add also! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486379 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:33:44 +0000 loveisstrange 486379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I actually wasnt very experienced. I had just started sewing maybe a year before? It was my first really big project. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486375 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:30:58 +0000 MrsBrewer 486375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: Yep, I was planning on finding a pattern to kind of work off of, at least to give me an idea of what to start with! Thank you for the info about the tulle also! Awesome idea about the different colors! </p> <p>@zippylef: How experienced of a sewer were you at the time?? lol I'm starting to question my skills hahah </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486357 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:24:56 +0000 loveisstrange 486357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: i made a dress very similar to that my junior year, excpet it was tea-length. The major PITA with that was gathering all the tulle for the skirt, but its not really that complicated. Id do a zipper. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486354 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:24:40 +0000 Chillybear 486354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The dress you posted looks fairly basic and easy to replicate. Rather than drape a pattern yourself if you can find a similar style in a pattern book you can just make tweaks as needed and you'll have instructions to go by. the pattern will even tell you how much fabric to buy. If you've never put a zipper in you might find it tricky I would practice that too. I like corset back because they allow for the best fit possible by tightening or loosening where needed. get a muslin that would be the same weight as your "good" fabric. If its a stiffer heavier satin go with a heavier muslin. You can get away with a nice bodice fabric and a lining for the under layer of the skirt then layers of tulle on top<br /> to do the tulle you'll want to make a tutu style skirt you will need 3-4x the waist size for each layer and i'm thinking 3 layers in different colors like 1 fuchsia, 1 red, 1 purple<br /> (Ex 36" hipline x 3 = 3 yards of tulle for the first layer) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486332 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:18:51 +0000 MrsBrewer 486332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I will for sure take pictures and post them when we are done. I just hope this turns out!! If not though, she can always buy one. I just thought it would be really fun for us to spend time together working on this too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486327 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:17:57 +0000 MrsBrewer 486327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: I think I still have my crinoline from my wedding dress! Maybe I will do that. Also I don't mind hand sewing on beading. I don't want to damage my machine! Plus I have plenty of time, and I actually loooove hand sewing stuff like that. Plus the picture I attached is just the structure she wants basically. Strapless and poofy on the bottom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486324 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:17:23 +0000 mediagirl 486324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow! You are ambitious! I thought you were going to say you were considering making a few baby clothes. But dresses? I would love to see the final product when you're done!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486320 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:16:14 +0000 MrsBrewer 486320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chillybear: Awesome information! thank you sooo much! We are going to start a "mock-up" version this weekend. So just making a mock up on muslin would be okay? I was going to buy fabric that is similar the finished product. But just cheap fabric would be okay to use? I guess the point of the mock up is just to get the gist of how it's made.</p> <p>What do you suggest would be the easiest for the closure on the back? Zipper, buttons, or tie-back? She's tiny, I think size 2! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486319 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:15:59 +0000 Chillybear 486319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Evening wear fabrics can be very slippery or stiff and if your not careful the beaded ones can damage your machine. a Poufy dress may require you make a crinoline in the under layers you could omit that and purchase a crinoline at a bridal shop </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486310 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:13:32 +0000 Chillybear 486310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been garment sewing for over 12 years and went to school for fashion design. Its certainly doable and i remember making prom dresses in high school. I would say the hardest aspect is fit and also picking a realistic design. I would stay away from patterns that require boning. Look through the pattern books in the fabric stores and find something you like, have an employee help you choose the fabric and trims. check out the direction in the pattern envelope to see just how complicated the instructions are (i would stay away from vogue they tend to be pretty complex) I also would recommend making a mock up in a cheap fabric like muslin first and deciding what you would want to change or adjust for fit before you start cutting your final fabrics. If you want more help or tips let me know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486308 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:12:59 +0000 MrsBrewer 486308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: She wants it to be something to this effect.....poofy! </p> [attach=1855/13/mg9s2x.240x370.prom.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486293 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:08:27 +0000 loveisstrange 486293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well... My only caution would be that dressy fabrics are much harder to sew and they show mistakes like crazy. </p> <p>I made one for a friend both junior and senior year. Its not too bad as long as you pick something simple, since youre not super experienced. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-im-not-crazy-and-that-this-is-doable#post-486288 Mon, 07 Jan 2013 14:06:32 +0000 MrsBrewer 486288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So a couple months ago I was talking to my sister about sewing. I loooove sewing and my sister is learning. I know the basics, but I would consider myself someone that catches on quickly. I've quilted before, and I am making curtains in my living room, and I've done a couple slip covers and what not. Well we get to talking and she says how cool it owuld be if we made a prom dress for her for prom this year! Right away without thinking, I'm like YES! Lets do it!</p> <p>I've never made clothes before in my life, but with a pattern it can't be too hard......right?</p> <p>What did I get myself into?! hahahah Her prom is in May so we have a few months!</p> <p>For those who are avid sewers, how hard is making clothes versus other sewing projects?? </p>