Making a Taffeta Top // Some Kimono Sleeved Button Tops

I wonder if you could still use the same pattern perhaps but opt for an organza or even a swiss dot sort of subtle texture for the overlay layer to avoid lace? An iridescent bronze organza over even a cranberry base could be quite rich and pretty, if the organza is too transparent one could always use two layers. I have had my eye on this pretty subtly printed organza at Mood for ages https://www.moodfabrics.com/rich-metallic-gold-and-merlot-scroll-printed-organza-lame-328198 or a textured organza could be fun, though this one is rather pricey https://www.moodfabrics.com/metallic-wine-striped-bubble-wrap-organza-brocade-127881 When you say 2 hour dress do you mean the 1920's ones? I have just never heard of a 2 hour dress, I just know of the 1920's 1 hour. I think a simple 20's dress could certainly be made very formal in a full length with a fabulous fabric. Doing a sort of almost Fortuny inspired version in say a rich rust silk rayon velvet with beads along the shoulders would be super lovely for fall I think, though not everyone likes velvet as I do. A burnout velvet actually might be nice for the overlay of the other pattern too, like this fall colored one which would look great next to cinnamon I'd think https://www.moodfabrics.com/italian-red-and-olive-floral-velvet-burnout-327250 I am certainly glad I have not had to deal with many weddings myself, as there is so much to consider! I have only been in one wedding and my only guidelines were steel blue and sleeveless, but even those I found difficult!

Thank you Dana! I usually prefer to line most anything with rayon lining fabric (which I do not line my all things as a rule, especially for summery projects I usually just use facings to finish garments). However, if I don't have any rayon lining fabric on hand, I will use whatever I have around that will work best. So for something like this top, I know often with this style of sleeve the lining is seen when one moves around, so I wanted something pretty enough I wouldn't mind it being seen, so I went with this scrap of iridescent taffeta I had around. I would say linings are best done in slippy fabrics like rayon and silk because they are nice next to the skin and allow the items to slide over anything you are wearing underneath with ease. So say a bolero or jacket, it is best to have a rayon or silk lining so that the outerwear moves easily when worn on top of anything else. A cotton lining is more likely to sort of "catch" or create friction with any garment worn underneath it. Still, if I were making a summer dress out of a sheer cotton say, I would probably line it in a more opaque cotton for consistency since I like to be able to toss things like that in the wash with ease. But really as I rule I don't line things terribly often, usually only if something is sheer or is wool and would be itchy otherwise. Sometimes bag lining something is easier than having to finish the neckline/sleeves/hem edges etc in other ways too, so it almost just depends on what I feel like doing on the day really.

Thank you Kimberly! I have always figured I have quite un-feminine hands for whatever reason, but they allow me to do so much work, and typing of course too, that I love them regardless ha!

Thank you Akinat!

Thank you Rhonda! When it comes to draping on the body or on a dress form, usually muslin is used at first when designing and fitting and one simply draws/marks with pencil or whatever they like onto the muslin itself, then you take the piece of muslin off and lay it flat on top of paper and trace/transfer all the markings from the muslin onto the paper and thus a paper version is created. If I had a professional dress form that was a true copy of my body I'd practice draping a little more often, but as I don't it's not something I play with much anymore. I quite like flat pattern drafting so it doesn't tend to bother me though!

Thank you Maria! Pattern drafting is super worth it in the end I promise! Thank you for the suggestion submission as well <3

Thank you Alix!

Haha I wondered the same about the slashed head!

Thank you Rob! I guess I thought to do a lining on the blue because the taffeta was on the thin an super crisp side, so I was afraid the edge of a facing would be seen through. Also I just didn't want to fuss with using bias to hem the sleeve area or facings there when they can sometimes be seen in this style during wear. For whatever reason it did indeed seem the easier option to me! As for the jacket, I had made a dress out of this same brocade before with only facings and knew from that experience just how scratchy and uncomfortable the lame was next to the skin, so I definitely knew I wanted a lining for that one!

Thank you Ashley! The sleeves on that dress, which is a sheer layered pastel dream btw, look to perhaps be giant bishop sleeves at a 3/4 length and out of a pleated fabric too, lots of volume! I will still be making the iridescent blouse I mentioned in this video, but out of a different fabric, and it will have exaggerated billowy bishop sleeves, so hopefully that will be of some similar help!

Thank you Emma! A few people have been requesting this video over on the channel, and it's like "well, I did make it, but..." Just for the patrons! <3

So so scandalous I know! The neckline on my new 20's dress I'm working on is a bit lower, but even so, the slip underneath will help with that ;)