nuno dress

[Teri Berry]

This was a bit of a milestone for me, I have made a couple of tunic tops (not nunofelt) but this is my first attempt to make a dress. Someone posted a comment on my FB page saying that she didn't have the confidence to make a dress. I am hoping this might inspire someone else to take the plunge.... if not a dress, then perhaps a top or a waistcoat?

It is hard work, especially if you don't have a table large enough and have to work on the floor (I know Zed will agree with me on this!).  But it so worth it when you end up with a truly individual dress that fits like a glove.

The merino was laid out over a length of cotton muslin stretched over a resist that was double all of my body measurements. over the top of that I laid a panel of hand-dyed paj silk.

I have to confess, this dress didn't exactly go to plan. My greatest learning was that you don't need to increase the size of the holes to accommodate shrinkage, just the areas felt. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures before cutting the shoulder straps but no matter how much I worked the felt the neckline sat below my bust (the shoulder straps really were that long!). 5 min being scissor happy and 10 min on the sewing machine it fits much better

Here is the finished dress (front, back and close up of the silk panel)

[lyn]

Beautiful colours, beautiful texture!

[Deleted]

Lovely. It looked like heaps of work... Congratulation on creating such a lovely outfit..

[Pandagirl]

Teri, the dress is stunning! Kudos to you for tackling such a big project and making it work! Thanks for sharing with us and encouraging everyone to try.

[MTRuth]

Love it Teri - clothing is a lot of work and you made a beautiful piece. Where's the photo of you wearing it at work?

[Shepherdess]

Your piece turned out great. Congratulations on such a big project and having the courage to take the scissors to it when needed. Holes always get bigger. The fabric would help stop that but they never get smaller.

[halay]

Teri, your dress turned out great! You can congratulate yourself. I wonder is it really necessary to increase the measurements by 50%? Did you use manequin to get the final shape?

[Frances]

Beautiful -

[zed]

Wow, Teri, it's gorgeous, lovely colours and great texture

And I thought I was clever keeping in the lines with my scarf!

[Teri Berry]

Thank you everyone

I will wear it to work next week and ask someone to take a photo for you Ruth

Halay, I actually doubled up my measurements for this dress (the template was enormous!). I find I get a 50% shrinkage with nuno. I tried it on a couple of times during the making but for the most part I just used a tape measure while fulling different areas (bust, waist, length) to get it to my size and shape. I really only used the mannequin to dry the dress so I don't end up with fold lines. My mannequin is one of those adjustable ones so it probably won't take to kindly to being doused in warm soapy water

[Pandagirl]

I look forward to seeing you in the dress Teri. I do find with Nuno the shrinkage is greater. You were smart to use the 50% and check frequently. Yes, you must be kind to your dress form. :-)