Stealth dress

For those do-it-yourselfers...
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skirtyscot
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by skirtyscot »

Great work, bl. What if you loosen the belt a notch or two, so it does little more than draw attention to the waist?
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beachlion
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by beachlion »

skirtyscot wrote: Sun May 17, 2020 11:38 pm Great work, bl. What if you loosen the belt a notch or two, so it does little more than draw attention to the waist?
The belt was added just to see the effect. It is a heavy belt made from the same material as harnesses for horses. I had to tighten it to prevent it sliding of and exposing the seam between top and bottom.
I ordered an elastic belt of over 2 inches high to cover that region. If that is not working, I will make a belt of the fabric of the bottom part.
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Uncle Al
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by Uncle Al »

Hey B.L. :D

This is just a SUGGESTION for you to try. On the next 'dress', add a 2 inch(3 inch before sewing) wide
black 'band' between the top and bottom portions of "The Dress". This would enhance the waistline
and yet allow the freedom of movement you're looking for, without the constrictions of a regular belt.

Again, this is just a SUGGESTION :D

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Re: Stealth dress

Post by beachlion »

Uncle Al wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 3:33 am Hey B.L. :D

This is just a SUGGESTION for you to try. On the next 'dress', add a 2 inch(3 inch before sewing) wide
black 'band' between the top and bottom portions of "The Dress". This would enhance the waistline
and yet allow the freedom of movement you're looking for, without the constrictions of a regular belt.

Again, this is just a SUGGESTION :D

Uncle Al
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It is a good suggestion. Thanks.

My problem is more a technical one. I make the dress at the waist just wide enough to wriggle through it when putting it on. The waist in that way is too wide to my liking so I have to reduce it a little. Not too much, just one ot two inches wider than my waist. I don't like a zipper in the back and a zipper in the front is also not flattering.
Maybe I should try two invisible zippers in both side seams. The zippers should cover the range around the waist where the dress is too narrow to crawl through. I hope it make sense. I can combine that idea with a black belt as suggested.
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Pdxfashionpioneer
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by Pdxfashionpioneer »

Many dresses come with belt loops made of braided thread to accommodate a belt of the dress's material ("self belt") and if you're careful, they'll work with a regular belt, then you can just use the belt to cover that middle seam.

If you can sew an invisible zipper, why not install one in the back? It can take a little work to zip it up, but it's worth it for the fit and there's a reason they're called invisible zippers …
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by crfriend »

beachlion wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 3:56 amMaybe I should try two invisible zippers in both side seams. The zippers should cover the range around the waist where the dress is too narrow to crawl through. I hope it make sense. I can combine that idea with a black belt as suggested.
I have seen, but not tried, dresses with "partial side zippers" to solve this issue. I'm not sure how they look up close, but it might be an idea if the termini of the zips can be covered. Some I've seen have one, some two; I guess the particular dimensions and number would be down to how pronounced your waist is.
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Uncle Al
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by Uncle Al »

Another $.02 worth ;)

As far as the "belt" goes, insert an elastic band. At the loosest it would be the 'normal' wearing
around the waist - same as the rest of the dress. Then, when you put it on, the elastic would
stretch allowing you to put it on without any problems. Then it would go back to 'normal' and
give a fitted look.

OK, I'll go back under my rock and :hide:

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Re: Stealth dress

Post by beachlion »

That sounds like good engineering from the members.

I'm afraid the elastic band will leave a slightly crinkled waist. I like to get a more fitting appearance with about 1/2" clearance around the waist section. A back zipper is not really an option. With 75 my joints are showing some stiffness when I do things I did not do in the last 50 year. ;)

Side zippers are my best options I guess. First a few other sewing projects and then I will give the dress a try.
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Uncle Al
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by Uncle Al »

As far as the elastic band goes, the elastic comes in many widths.
I'ld go with a 2.5" - 3.0" width instead of a presumed narrow
width elastic band. It comes in many different colors, too ;)

:hide:

Uncle Al
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Grand Musician of the Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F. of Texas 2008-2009, 2015-2016,
2018-202 ? (and the beat goes on ;) )
When asked 'Why the Kilt?'
I respond-The why is F.T.H.O.I. (For The H--- Of It)
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beachlion
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by beachlion »

With a wide or small elastic band, the crinkle effect will be the same.

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denimini
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by denimini »

Perhaps not your colour but a similar idea with an alternative transition detail.
Image
https://picclick.com.au/Ladies-Dress-Si ... 89329.html
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denimini
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by denimini »

Perhaps not your colour but a similar idea with an alternative transition detail.
Image
https://picclick.com.au/Ladies-Dress-Si ... 89329.html
Anthony, a denim miniskirt wearer in Outback Australia
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beachlion
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by beachlion »

denimini wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 2:41 pm Perhaps not your colour but a similar idea with an alternative transition detail.
Image
https://picclick.com.au/Ladies-Dress-Si ... 89329.html
I should have protected my idea with copyrights. Now somebody else is making big bucks with it. :(
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by Shilo »

It wouldn’t have stopped them. The mass market manufacturers are always copying top designers like you.
:roll:
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Re: Stealth dress

Post by beachlion »

Shilo wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:04 pm It wouldn’t have stopped them. The mass market manufacturers are always copying top designers like you.
Don't make me walk beside my shoes from pride as we say in the Netherlands. ;)
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