HOW TO SEW AN A-LINE GOWN WITH ANKARA FABRICS USING LACE EDGE AS EMBELLISHMENT

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It's your favorite girl @debbie-ese 😍
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It is my pleasure to share with you this amazing gown I made for a customer. The sewing process of this beautiful piece is an interesting one from the start to finish, that is, from the moment the customer brought the fabrics to my shop, chose her preferred style and the overall sewing process. I have been sewing for this customer for over three years and she has been a satisfied customer each time I made a dress for her.

She brought a red ankara fabrics with floral patterns and she explained to me what she wanted, that is, she needs a gown that is well designed with accessories and also it should not be too free. Considering all these specifications I advised her on the best way to come up with something dazzling, she bought the idea and we finalized the deal. According to her, she needs something that she can wear to both formal and casual gatherings that speaks class.

The ankara fabric that was used to make the gown is 3½ yards, same as the black lining that was used, then the lace edge is 2 yards. The lace yard was quite expensive but it was needed to bring out the beauty of the gown. The lace edge costs NGN2500 ($1.59) per yard and I got two yards.

Materials Needed

• Ankara fabrics
• Lace edge
• Lining
• Threads matching the outfit
• Scissors
• Tailoring chalk

Step by Step

• The first step is to mark the fabrics and cut out the pattern before the sewing begins. In doing this we will mark out the fabric using the measurements of the customer. That is, the measurements of the bust, waist, hip and overall length of the gown will be marked out carefully.
  

• While cutting the fabric I had in mind that I don't want the A-line gown to be too free, therefore I didn't add plenty seam allowance. The intended result of the gown is expected to be somewhat fitted, but not too fitted - so it reflected in the cutting process. If the seam allowance is up to 3 or 4 inches then the gown may be turning to a bubu gown.
  

• So, we will cut out the front piece first, then use it to cut the back piece. This is also applicable to the cutting of the lining too - cut the front piece first and use it to cut the back piece. You will leave 2 inch seam allowance to give room for sewing.
  

• Then you will cut the sleeves. The sleeves is a straight three-quarter sleeve as requested by the customer.

• Moving forward, you will join the front fabrics and front lining together, then you join the back fabrics and back lining together as well. When you are done with this step you will join the two fabrics together.
  

• Next, I worked on the neckline by using some of the lace edge to design the neck into a v-shape neck. Afterwards I used the iron to press the lace edge so that it will lay down smoothly. I absolutely love the outcome of the neck - it was stunning.
  

• Then I attached the three quarter length sleeve that I had cut earlier to the armholes accordingly .

• Now to the part of the process that requires some creativity to get the best results. It is the prepping of the lace edge that will be used to design the front of the gown.
  
  The lace edge should be cut enough to run through the gown horizontally from the neckline to the base of the gown. Also, there are also some that will run through the sides of the horizontal one in a slanty manner.
  

• Next, sew the lace edges to the gown using a straight stitch. This needs to be done with so much expertise so that the finishing will be neat.

• Talking about finishing touches, hem the bottom of the gown by folding and sewing them down. Also, you will use an iron to press the hems so that they will be as flat as possible.
  

• The gown is ready. You can decide to test the gown on your body if you have similar body type or you can wait for the customer to come for fitting to see the result.

All Images attached to this post are mine.

Thank For Reading and See You in My Next One.