The day started out well when my production manager and I built a stand for the mannequin in about 12 minutes out of makeshift parts.
Here's the progress throughout the day, 24-style:
12:55 pm

She starts out essentially as a sheet with some pattern on it. If I wanted her to be a Spartan, I'd be done.
2:49 pm

I fitted the zipper in the back and tightened it across the top so it wouldn't slide down to the ground. I wouldn't want that to happen to my girl :P I also brought in the waist and did the singular diagonal dart across the front to go with the flow of what I have in mind.
3:25 pm

I brought in the waist even more and began the fitting across the hips. It was still loose across the boobs as well as the mid back. The red band across the top will be fitted and most likely be angled down to follow the rest of the lines in the submission piece.
4:33 pm

Across the chest, stomach, waist and hips are form fitted. I think I went a little too far cuz that zipper is being held together by faith. For the production model, I have to minimize the billowing across the stitch lines.
4:34 pm & 5:06 pm


My plan is to accent the fitted-ness of the dress with a HUGE flowing sash and a tail, mainly because this is for a design competition and I want it to pop when it's seen. I intend for it to be one of my red patterns with some organic white and black design to break up the solid red.
I like how it fits across the top but I believe I have to add something to the top to break up the white. Maybe a subtle disappearing pattern or a bold design element but either way, the dress seems like it's missing something. It looks hot but it's a tad boring up top. I'm considering pushing up the red gradient higher into the white too.
Another detail is to have multiple layers under the dress to add volume as it flows down to the ground. Since I'm not sure how to do it, I'll have the seamstress put in her expertise as to how I can add length to the bottom of the dress.
Pardon my rudimentary dress vocabulary. I had to ask a coworker what a dart line was. And I'm typing this now instead of cooking dinner because I forgot to defrost a frozen block of meat before I left for work this morning. Crap.