Body Contour Mini Collection: Cape, Corset, & Top

For my draping class this past semester we had to do a 3 piece mini collection for our term project, with one of the pieces being the corset I updated on a few weeks ago. I knew right away since I did a below-the-bust corset that I would want to include a top in the collection that could be worn under the corset. I found a beautiful stretch lace and used the scalloped edge at the top. I had planned to use the lace for the entire thing, but it was so delicate that it lost a lot of shape putting it on and off the dress form, so I used a mesh for the back. I had to hand sew the hem and top edge of the whole top because it is soo fragile, but with the addition of a velvet bow, I really love the way it turned out.

Sooo, finishing this corset was INSANE. After I finished all the pinning, it took me a little over 25 hours to hand sew all of the ribbons down, and then about 10 more hours to hand sew the lining in and the metal hoops down the back. My pattern making teacher told me she would have glued the whole together. Tempting...

Finished corset over blouse!

For the back I just laced a skinny velvet ribbon through these really nice almost brass looking hooks i found. I wanted the bottom to kind of open up because I loved the curved line, but also to show off the back of the mesh top.

While fabric shopping for a project for another class, I came across this remnant of faux lambs wool that was totally gorgeous, and the guy gave me a great deal on it. Since there was a limited amount, I immediately thought of doing a kind of cape that would make a glamorous topper to the ensemble. This was tough fabric to work with, and also involved hours of hand sewing, but with the addition of some really decadent rhinestone buttons the finished garment is really lovely I think. I gave this to my mom for Christmas and it looks great on her!

Modeled by Joanne!!

I think what I was most proud of with this project is that every single piece was constructed and sewn perfectly when I turned them in. A lot of times, when it gets down to the wire some of the finishing gets compromised, which is understandable, but a little sad. By total miracle though, by Monday, December 21st at 1:30pm I was able to put everything on the form for grading! My Christmas miracle!!