sunshine_02

I'm 23 and getting back into dancing, but I would love to make my own dress, but don't even know where to begin. So as a baby trying to take baby steps and learn things the correct way I am asking for some help. I don't even know where to begin, except that my passion and love of powwows will keep me motivated and any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

Ahe'hee (Thank you)

Sunshine

ojibwaywmn

Do you already have your beadwork? If so, perhaps you can design a dress that compliments the beadwork.

Also, I used the jingle dress pattern from the Missouri River series as a guide. I have also used a Simplicity dress pattern and adjusted to fit.

Some tips, make sure to line your dress with broadcloth. Especially if the main material is light. Sewing the jingles on is the hardest part. It is a lot of trial and error. Once you have made your first dress, then the rest is gravy. I hope this helps!

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sunshine_02

Thank you! And yes I do already have the pattern I want to use for the dress, but it's getting it altogether and the stitching that makes me nervous. Thanks again for your advice.

redberries

For your first dress, try to keep it simple. The Missouri River pattern is very simple and best fitted for your first shot at this. Once you are more comfortable with the task ahead, you can try to experiment with two pieces dresses or zipped dresses that you can open to sit more comfortably. Buy yourself the latest "Whispering Wind". It has a great article on the Jingle Dress for ideas if you want to try ribbon work.
For the jingles, you can buy them already made up by bags of 100, so you do not have to worry about it.
If you do a proper medicine dress you will need 365 of them on 7 rows (one cone per day of the year with one row per day of the week).
The Silver ones are heavier than the Gold ones in the Missouri River collection. Just a thought, but if you have to dance with 14lbs of cones a whole day long, it is worth knowing.
Logically, a proper dress is being dreamt. But, if it does not come to you, have a look online here or GON website to give you an idea of what you want to achieve. It is not always a good idea to go for lots of different color patterns. The eyes never settle and when looking at the regalia, you might not make out the design because it is so worked on. Try 3 colors that you are comfortable with. Those are your 3 primary colors. Then add to them in a way that is complementary. Find a design that you can reproduce on all your beadwork, so that it matches the whole outfit. Just keep it simple. I know that the more the better these days, but you can add to your dress as you go along. I still add some bits to my first one, and its an "oldie".
There is a tape you can buy called "Jingle Dress" on Crazy Crow, that explains a lot about the way to sew on the jingles for beginners. You can see the dancers outfits and steps, which could always help you, if you do not have anyone around you that could give you a hand.
If you need anymore help for making the dress or if you are stuck with sewing details, contact me.
Good luck!

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Inila ye! Imaputakaye!!

redberries

The Missouri River patterns comes with a whole lot of explanations of how to make your dress by the way!!!

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Inila ye! Imaputakaye!!

sunshine_02

Thanks redberries, this helps alot. Practice makes perfect, right? Well I'll make sure to call on you when I get to a hiccup. Thanks again!

miss_mohawk

What simplicity pattern have you used ojibwaywmn?

ojibwaysweetie

Missouri River pattern is nice and simple.

I been using a men's shirt pattern and just extend the bodice part to the length of my dress. lol. Also sew in the darts where needed. I always make an underskirt.

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miss_mohawk

Sounds simple enough lol. Thanks!

ojibwaywmn

I can't recall the number of the pattern but it was a one piece dress that had an A-Line skirt that came to the calf area.

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