DRESS INSPIRED BY ASIAN CULTURE // MINIMAL FASHION

It has been a long time since I shared a project with the community due to my busy schedule the last weeks. When you don't have the advantage of time and work on things with a deadline there is no such space for free expression or creation. Things should be more loosely and pleasant when you create. Not just going for another sewing project that has to be done. You know what I mean?

Finally I found some time for myself. There was I project that I had for a long time on my mind and always postpone it for later. I felt like I owed to myself to work on it.

I love the traditional fashion culture of Asian countries. China has a very rich culture and has achieve to spread their traditional fashion all over the world. Inspired by Qipao which is one of the most known kind of dresses I decided to create my own dress based on this elegant shape.

I created my pattern for the dress, made it as much simple as I could, without complex details at all. Chose my black glossy fabric and cut the pieces.

As always I started working on my fabric pieces on the serger machine.

The next step was about sewing the darts of the chest on both sides in order to adjust the front piece of the dress.

I had to finish with the front piece so I sewed the darts of the waist as well. The fabric was kinda tricky, many ruffles were created around the darts and made me believe that things didn't go on plan. It was a little disappointing starting like this but I decided to keep working on the other pieces and come back later for that.

Next step was to sew the back darts of the dress. One dart at each piece. Same thoughts, is it the fabric or is it the stitch? Felt like something going wrong but coouldn't fingure it out. After some retries I decided to go on like this finish my project and then I would be able to understand what the problem is. Sometimes you need to reach the end to understand. Mistakes can only make you better.

So I went all in and kept sewing until the result. I sewed the two back pieces together until the point that the zipper starts. Ironed them well which is something really important and helpful that I realized lately. As I said before experience comes from our mistakes. Through mistakes and observasion we become better.

My next move was to sew the sides of the dress together. The dress is starting to create a pleasant shape. It is finally starts to feel good.

The last step for the main body was to sew the shoulders.

For the sleeves I did a loose stitch at the curvy part in order to be able to pull the thread after and create some ruffles. Those ruffles were important so I can assemble the sleeves with the main body.

As soon as I finished sewing the sleeve on the main body of the dress, I had to put the zipper on the back side. I chose a black invisible zipper, I don't like it that much when you can see the zipper in dresses. So I sewed it on the back side and finally I had kinda completed the main dress and I had to go for the details.

Time for the neck part. The style of the neck is chinese mandarine collar which is one of my favorite ones. It is so cool and elegant at the same time. In order to make my collar stable and standing I had to use some extra elements except from the main fabric. A layer of sticky fabric and two layers of tulle on the inside.

For the neck I started by ironing the sticky fabric with the main one in order to become one piece. After that I sewed that piece with the two layers of tulle so it becomes more stable. Turned them to the right side and...my two neck pieces were ready.

As soon as my two neck pieces were ready, I sewed them on the neckline of tha main body. Aaaand...it's almost done! The last details only left. I had to sew the seam hemline of the dress by hand cause I didn't want the stitches to be obvious.

Reaching the end of this project I did some invisible stitches as well on the side slits of the dress by hand. Finally I can see the final stage of the dress. I had my doubts about the result since I started this project but the truth is that it end up so beautiful. Looking forward to style it with accessories and wear it outside.

That's all about my project guys, thank you all for stopping by.
I hope you enjoyed my post as much as I enjoyed the whole process.

Have a great day!🙃