Saturday, November 30, 2013

Reflective Belladone, aka the Tron dress


I have so many amazing things to say about this newest make that I don't know where to start...

The pattern is the fabulous Belladone by Deer and Doe. I have been eyeing off this pattern for a while, and now I've dipped my toe in the Belladone waters I anticipate there being lots more of this pattern in my future (sorry, not sorry!)


To sidetrack fitting issues I did what I normally do with new patterns for dresses with fitted bodices; I used my bodice block to make adjustments to the fit so it fits me. I used the darts and overall proportions from my block, and used the arm holes and neckline of the Belladone pattern.

Well that was the intent but somehow I messed up the front neckline and have ended up with more of a boat-neck neckline. Nevermind. The back is exactly as drafted and is FABULOUS.


I then used the waistband piece that matched up with the waist measurement of the resulting bodice piece, and used the skirt as drafted. Heads up though, this skirt length is the length as drafted, and since I bound the hem with bias tape it didn't loose any length from hemming, and it's a good length on me, but please note that I am 5'4" (which puts me firmly in the 'average' camp, despite some people calling me short).


The only other alteration I did was make the pockets bigger, as small pockets suck almost as much as no pockets, and I figured I could always make them smaller if I find they're too big.


And now, moving on from the pattern to the elephant in the room that is the FANTABULOUS binding on this dress. Incase you hadn't realised from the pictures; IT'S REFLECTIVE!!!!!!! (see the difference with and without the flash above and below)


Yup, this dress does border on novelty, but is going to be the most fantastic summer cycling dress in the world; I challenge any idiot Melbourne drivers to not see me!!

(PS: Expect my face in the below right picture to be what I will look like most of the time when wearing this dress, just a heads up)

 

I discovered a little while ago that I could buy reflective bias binding, and I have been scheming up this dress ever since. I even managed to recruit others into the scheme! (photographic evidence of the fact that I have friends so awesome they are also making their own reflective dresses to follow in another post)


I added bias trim everywhere I could think to, including the waistband, pocket edges and hem. All in the sake of being visible you see... honest... The skirt is fuller than I anticipated, and the bias trim on the hem has given the skirt a kind of Jetsons like feel to it...


So in conclusion: Novelty? Probably. Amazeballs? Definitely!

30 comments:

  1. The dress is lovely as is, but the bias binding takes it to another level - great idea! Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a GREAT idea!!!! You are going to be one very stylish biker in Melbourne!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Totes Amazeballs!!!! I adore this pattern, love the fit on you and think your reflective tape is inspired! Bring on the Tron army I say! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Freakin' awesome! I just love it! And the reflective binding is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Holy cramoly, this dress is AMAZING! I immediately want to copy it almost exactly, but with lavendar instead of blue. Would you hate me if I did? (I haven't got the skillzzz yet but omg this dress makes me want to try so badly!!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fantastic idea! No excuse for the Melbourne drivers not to see you now ~ might have to fly this idea up here to Brisbane ... J

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an awesome use of reflective tape for a cycling dress. Where did you get the tape from?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful dress, I've been enjoying your blog for a little while.

    Check out my jacket - http://bobbinsbikesandblades.com/wordpress/buttons/ and http://bobbinsbikesandblades.com/wordpress/october-garment-completed/ Being visible on the bike matters to me too. After I made the jacket I saw retroreflective tape in Spotlight, now I'm thinking about what I can add it to. Have you seen the retroreflective thread from Gutermann?

    ReplyDelete
  9. This dress is a cyclists dress. How clever to use reflective tape on a dress and still look great.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow. This really worked out well! If I wasn't in Peru right now I'd be making one. Stat!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesome idea! Love the material choices and the fit. You will stop traffic!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've never seen this pattern before - the back detailing is sensational. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What an awesome idea! You'll be the most stylish cyclist out there. I bought some fabric to make a belladone the other day. I don't even have the pattern yet but the fabric just screamed belladone.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is so awesome! It turned out even better than imagined. You'll have to be taking some action shots on the bike now :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. That bias binding is GENIUS! So great for biking/walking at night. I've been wanting to make a Belladonne forever! You did a really great job matching the seams in back.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is great! Now I want a reflective dress, too. The flash photos are awesome and the back detailing looks so cool in reflective binding!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hee, this is fantastic!! A reflective dress, too smart! And, it looks so funky and disco-y while also being so practical for bike riding. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, this is so cool! What a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Whoa!! Why have I never thought to put reflective fabric on EVERYTHING??? This is so awesome! Also, the pattern is totally awesome as well, I have to agree :) I'm thinking of doing just the skirt as a pattern because well, pockets, and it's i think it will be just awesome as a skirt :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also, how many times can you write 'awesome' in one comment?

      Delete
  20. So.freaking.awesome! I love this sooo much!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Definitely amazeballs! How cool, my dad cycles like crazy so I asked him if he wanted reflective bias binding on his clothes but he said no, the party pooper :/

    ReplyDelete
  22. This Tron dress looks sound like very nice and hopefully I'm quite happy to get in such dress and I'm pretty sure that if I will wear this kind of dress then must looks well and hot. Thanks :)
    clothing suppliers

    ReplyDelete
  23. Just have to say that this dress is amazing! I'm feeling totally inspired.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow! That dress looks good on you. The white outline, cut back, and most of all that belt - complements that blue dress and you significantly. Looking forward to more posts like these mostly for inspiration, I want to try out a new outfit..:)
    Clothing Manufacturer Bangladesh

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love the dress, it's plain awesome! The reflective binding is amazing! Share your products with more people through GoSourcing365, the largest sourcing platform. Connect with worldwide manufacturers and suppliers now!

    ReplyDelete

Comments make me smile :)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...