In this week’s session, I took a deep dive into the design history of Hubert de Givenchy using a comprehensive book showcasing his collections over the decades. I also addressed questions about the twist dress pattern, explaining how different draping techniques affect the silhouette.

We didn’t do a live demonstration this week, but I provided detailed explanations on pattern adjustments.

Questions & Answers:

• Q: My twist dress pattern looks different from yours – the skirt part is angled instead of straight. How can I fix this?
• A: To correct this, lift up the angled part at the waist to create a straight line down from the waist. This will give you the straighter column silhouette of my original pattern rather than a more tapered look toward the knees.

• Q: For my fitted princess seam dress, how much ease should I add?
• A: Add about 3-4 cm ease around the hips, 1-1.5 inches around the bust, and 1 inch at the waist. The hip needs more ease for sitting. Measure your relaxed body, not when pulled in.

• Q: Does the back zipper need to go below the widest part of the hips?
• A: Yes, otherwise it will be difficult to put on and take off. You can also consider a side zipper for a shift dress if you prefer.

• Q: We’re going with a smooth front skirt instead of pleats for the bridesmaid dresses. Any advice?
• A: Make sure there’s enough ease at the hips and the front overlap doesn’t go too high up. You may need to adjust the drape compared to the pleated version. Let me know if you need help with the design.