(two original gowns by Marchesa that inspired me)
Go big or go home right?
I’ve been playing with lace and applique for some time now and I had the idea to make lace applique tops that could be worn with different skirts to create different looks.
My first attempt was inspired by the incredible Marchesa, and was fairly easy to make!
Tools needed:
– sewing machine
– needle,thread & scissors
– stretchy flesh coloured mesh fabric
– lace
– a maxi skirt or full length dress (found mine at a vintage store)
1. Find a t-shirt that fits you perfectly and use it as a pattern. Lay the mesh on top of your shirt and cut along the edges with about 1/2 an inch extra for your seam. Do front and back and you should have the makings of a mesh top.
2. With a sewing machine, run along the two sides and the tops of the shoulders where the two pieces attach. The fabric doesn’t fray so you can leave the neck, arm holes and bottom un-finished. Trim excess material and uneven edges with your scissors.3. With your scissors start cutting out pieces of lace from your material. This is the fun part! You’ll start finding shapes and patterns in the lace that can be arranged to create beautiful results.
4. Start laying out your patterns on the mesh top until you are happy with the look. I find the most intriguing lace patterns almost mimic the body’s skeletal system. I think it makes lace appear less frilly and more earthy without being macabre, so I was thinking about that while I arranged my lace.
5. Once you have your lace arranged, use your needle and thread and start securing the lace to the mesh. To secure the lace I used a running stitch and a secure & finish stitch. This took me about an hour to finish.
6.For the bottom the gown I found a long chiffon dress at a vintage store. I didn’t want to completely cut off the bust of the dress so I simply folded the top under. You can secure the fold with a few secure stitches if you need it, but mine stayed in place perfectly.
I love the way the two pieces fit together so well and were so easy to make, the possibilities are endless! Thank you to the lovely Ricki for modeling my creation, by the ocean, in January, in Canada, and looking so gorgeous!
Cheers!
Alana
at 2:11 pm
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
Such a great DIY….thank you.
at 11:57 am
Thanks Cleo!! It wasn’t hard at all and turned out so well, glad you liked it!
xo Alana
at 9:42 am
The result looks amazing! But do you use two layers of mesh or do you wear something under it? Otherwise you would be able see through it right?
at 9:57 pm
Hi! The lace was strategically placed to cover all important areas, and the fine stretch mesh actually held everything in very well. But it would be easy to wear a nude body suit or a bra underneath, just try it on with your bra before you start and mark where the lace should cover.
Cheers! Alana
at 4:08 pm
holy amaze-balls!! you always have the most expensive looking diys, I love all of them!! id even say you’re quite the pro. a lot of other diys out there are really cheap looking or artsy-craftsy (as in kindergarten crafts) but yours honestly looks like you purchased them from the store itself!! Love!
at 2:59 pm
Hi Gloria, thank you for the amazing compliment! I think the key to my DIY’s is that I make things I would actually wear myself and be seen in public with! I look at the original products and try to use the same/ similar materials and techniques they would have used at a fraction of the cost. I’ve been too busy to do a DIY for a while but I can’t wait to start again, its so fun!
Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll try to have some cool new DIY’s for you soon!
xo Alana
at 3:27 am
Hi!
I’ve been thinking about making a marchesa inspired dress and was surfing the web for ideas on where to begin, and I’m so glad I found you… you are amazing, totally saved me.
at 11:47 am
Yay! I’m so happy you found me Liv, the whole process really isn’t difficult, just a little time consuming! If you make one, send me an email with a photo!!!
xo Alana
at 11:43 am
Fevkalade olmuş tebrikler 🙂
at 2:37 pm
Teşekkür ederiz!
at 7:26 am
This is amazing! You make designer pieces DIY look so easy, great post 🙂 x
at 11:01 am
Thank you so much Nirina! I’ve always seen something I wanted and thought… why not do it myself! I’m working on more couture pieces so keep a look out! xox Alana