My super exciting big project

Awhile back I eluded to the fact that I am currently working on a big project.  Well the time has come to share it with you all.  I have a friend named Tally who is Ms African-America Elegance 2011.  Over Labor Day weekend she will be competing in the International Pageant.  Exciting right?!?!?  Well it gets better.  In the spring she asked me if I would help her out by creating her dance costume and a few show stopping headpieces.  I, instantly, said yes!

First up I am making a caftan out of this gorgeous burnout silk from Fabric Mart.  Honestly, this picture does not do it justice!  I did the muslin fitting with Tally yesterday and am cutting out the pieces today.  I am using McCall's 6125 as base for this.  I am going to finish the edges with a rolled hem so it will add a little more of a wavy effect to it.

 I am also working on 2 headpieces for her.  The first was inspired by this fascinator she had sent me.  How fun is that?  Her outfit that she will be wearing with this is black and red, it is actually the sketch I drew below.  I am not making this outfit though.  She was sponsored by Igigi, who provided it and her formal dress (more on that in a minute).  I do need to make a few alterations to the skirt though.  It needs to be about 5" longer and unfortunately, does not have that deep of a hem.  It actually only has about a 1" hem.  I am testing a few other ideas to see if I can add it to the waist band, since it will be covered by the shirt and belt.  The trick is that the skirt has pockets on the front that end up super low when the length is added to the top.  I also thought about adding a piece of red fabric to the hem since finding the black would be nearly impossible.  Another idea I have would be to some black lace or red chiffon to the hem to create the look of another layer underneath.  I am not sure just yet though.

Anyways, back to the  headpiece. I am going to start with a black headband and add some dyed rooster feathers I ordered from Hong Kong.  At the base of the feathers I am going to put a fabric flower with some black rhinestones.  Once I start it I will take pictures and post a tutorial for it.


Her formal dress (at right) has a belt that has some rhinestones on it, however they only go across about 10" of the front.  I am going to be adding some more to this and possible the tie at the top to give the dress that extra oomph!  I am also making a headpiece to go with it.  For this we are going to use blue almost teal feathers.  Think Carrie Bradshaw in the Sex and the City movie, only not a whole bird.  It will be something similar to the one below..  I think I may end up doing this one as a hair clip so she will have more options as far as how she wants to do her hair.  I will also post a tutorial for this once it is completed.

Instead of a swimsuit competition, this pageant does a sports themed round.  Tally choose boxing for her sport.  For this I am going to embellish a track suit for her.  The back is going to have rhinestones that are hot glued on in the shape of boxing gloves and will have something written as well.  Her track suit is currently on order and should arrive by the weekend.  Of course I will post pictures of everything as I get it all completed.