DD2 requested a semi-formal outfit consisting of a black dress with plunging back and halter neck and a chiffon coverup. We decided to start with the dress. Luckily, I had Vogue pattern 2772 in my pattern stash. It is a floor length fitted dress with plunging back and pleated front bodice by Donna Karan. The only thing I needed to change was: shorten the skirt considerably and remove the pleats in the front. Simple enough...
The small pattern piece looks like a piece of trash because it got mixed up with scrap and got crumpled up. Luckily, I saved it before too late.
I was able to combine lower skirt pieces with corresponding upper body pieces which resulted in three pattern pieces only. In order to remove the right front pleats which becomes the halter neck when extended beyond the shoulder, I used the unpleated left front and tilted it towards center front line in order to remove the excess fabric incorporated in pleating. Lucky for me, my modification worked well on my daughter. Really some luck.
In order to keep the upper bodice in place, we decided to use wide black chiffon ribbons attached to the upper edge of the front bodice. They add a drama to the outfit.
For the coverup, we used Vogue 7742 View E, shortened so that it is just a little bit longer than the dress, and the front edges were modified to a smooth line from the top of the neckline to the center waist.
DD2 was happy with the results, except for ...
The snowy weather on the day of the event. All the girls were shivering in dresses.
While, parents were in winter coats ...
She and her girl friends, several of them, had a great time I hear. They went as a group of girls without male escorts. They thought they do not need boys to have fun.
