In this week’s session, I focused on draping the lining for our Freya dress project and discussed various couture techniques. I demonstrated how to drape the front bodice lining, explained different construction options, and shared insights on creating a lightweight yet structured garment. The session covered both practical draping techniques and theoretical discussions on haute couture dress construction.

Demonstration Steps:

1. Prepared the dress form by attaching shoulder pads and breast cups
2. Placed and pinned muslin on the dress form for front bodice lining
3. Created darts for shaping (bust dart and waist dart)
4. Marked reference points and lines on the draped muslin
5. Transferred the draped pattern to paper
6. Discussed pattern pieces organization and color coding
7. Explained facing and lining considerations for different parts of the dress

Questions & Answers:

• Q: Can you explain the construction techniques for keeping structured parts of the dress in place?
• A: For a more structured look, you can add boning to the lining. I usually place boning under the breast cup, on the side seam, and along the center back. However, for this dress, I’m aiming for a lighter construction while still maintaining shape.

• Q: How do you plan to keep the puffy sleeves in place without adding too much structure?
• A: I want to avoid heavy understructure for the sleeves to keep the dress lightweight and breathable. I’m planning to use organza as a lining for the sleeves and exploring smart techniques to maintain the shape without adding extra layers or gadgets.