Advanced Draping

Spring 2021 was when I took my Advanced Draping course virtually. I was lucky to have an at home workspace to work through these varied periods of dress.

The course began with the 18th century. I chose to drape a robe a la angles.

The next drape was 1840’s. This pleated front bodice was constructed with one single piece of fabric, carefully pleated along the bias.

The last garment draped was the late bustle period Victorian gown. I combined many interesting features to create this design.

As a final challenge for this course, I constructed the 1840’s dress from fashion fabric. The large amount of cartridge pleating, and flounced sleeves were nothing compared to the challenge of the bodice pleating drape. This bodice required careful re-draping in the fashion fabric after being cut according to the pattern, then pinned to the understructure so it could be tacked in place.