....:::Dress Construction:::...

**ojibwaysweetie** · 08-06-2008, 07:09 AM

How do you all construct your dress? Do you do a top part, then the bottom, then sew the top and bottom together? Do you do one full dress then do an underskirt for it? I've done them both ways. What do yaz all do?

Shingwauk · 08-06-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ojibwaysweetie

How do you all construct your dress? Do you do a top part, then the bottom, then sew the top and bottom together? Do you do one full dress then do an underskirt for it? I've done them both ways. What do yaz all do?

Aniin Sweetie. I'm just now making my first one. I never seen the dress being made. But I've seen how mine was put together in my dream. And it was made in two parts and then sewed together.

cherokeemom06 · 08-06-2008, 09:46 AM

Mine is all one piece without an underskirt. I either gotta wear shorts under it or make an underskirt for it.

Czechy · 08-06-2008, 01:02 PM

I've sewn dresses by every construction method out there. I prefer the one piece deal with a separate underskirt. That allows for mix and matching and there is no seam at the waist to be stressed or pull apart from the weight of the skirt jingles. The separate ensemble is also good for accomodating someone who is still growing.

Czechy · 08-06-2008, 01:17 PM

For kids I like the cobbler apron style because it has lots of growing room.

**ojibwaysweetie** · 08-06-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shingwauk

Aniin Sweetie. I'm just now making my first one. I never seen the dress being made. But I've seen how mine was put together in my dream. And it was made in two parts and then sewed together.

Aniin Shingwauk! Anish nah? Goot to see you! *big hugs* How are things with you?

Yeah, I tend to believe that traditionally our women made our dresses in 2 parts like that. I've seen older women make them and they do 2 parts. But, I've done them both ways, and I don't think I have a preference. I guess it all depends on how I feel at the time Im sewing.

What color is your dress?

**ojibwaysweetie** · 08-06-2008, 07:10 PM

We always wear underskirts.

ojibwaywmn · 08-06-2008, 08:15 PM

I make my dresses in two pieces (top & bottom) then sew them together. I am smaller on top then the bottom so doing it all in one shot will be bit of a tailoring nightmare...lol. I also find it alot easier that way.

I made one dress last year without an underskirt and it felt like I was exposing myself even though I had long shorts underneath.

So I will be adding an underskirt to that dress before I wear it again.

**ojibwaysweetie** · 08-06-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ojibwaywmn

I make my dresses in two pieces (top & bottom) then sew them together. I am smaller on top then the bottom so doing it all in one shot will be bit of a tailoring nightmare...lol. I also find it alot easier that way.

I made one dress last year without an underskirt and it felt like I was exposing myself even though I had long shorts underneath.

So I will be adding an underskirt to that dress before I wear it again.

Yeah! I don't like it when my girls don't use their underskirts. One powwow we were at, they didn't wear their underskirts - just their shorts. It was extremely hot is why they did not wear their underskirts, But I still put a lil blanket or towel over their bare legs. Just don't sit right with me!

You are lucky you are smaller on top. I'm boxy, so I find a man's shirt pattern best fits me. I got my bannock in da middle LOL!

I do my bottom part free hand - just cut it out in a slight A-line pattern and do the work. I use a ruler and pen to mark where I have to sew bottom to top. It works out goot.

When I make the whole dress pattern I just extend the men's shirt pattern longggg.

native_flutterby · 08-06-2008, 10:38 PM

i use the three piece method...only cause momma and gram said a woman never shows her legs off in public...kinda like indecent exposure lmao but yeah i try to use cotton under skirts only because its breathable and is worth it in hot weather....

**ojibwaysweetie** · 08-07-2008, 12:57 AM

Yeah when we make the 'bottom' part the underskirt is included. Make seperate one when making a one piece

Shingwauk · 08-07-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ojibwaysweetie

Aniin Shingwauk! Anish nah? Goot to see you! *big hugs* How are things with you?

Yeah, I tend to believe that traditionally our women made our dresses in 2 parts like that. I've seen older women make them and they do 2 parts. But, I've done them both ways, and I don't think I have a preference. I guess it all depends on how I feel at the time Im sewing.

What color is your dress?

I've been doing good. *hugs back* We moved back to the states awhile ago. The kids are getting big. Waskone' is 3 and Minisno turned 6 today and the oldest one Carolina is almost 12(yikes)lol. How have things been going with you? I never got a chance to visit with you when we was living on Garden.

My base color of the dress is red. After mine I'm going to start one for Waskone'. She dances all around the house. Ever cute. So I figure it's time for her.

**ojibwaysweetie** · 08-07-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shingwauk

I've been doing good. *hugs back* We moved back to the states awhile ago. The kids are getting big. Waskone' is 3 and Minisno turned 6 today and the oldest one Carolina is almost 12(yikes)lol. How have things been going with you? I never got a chance to visit with you when we was living on Garden.

My base color of the dress is red. After mine I'm going to start one for Waskone'. She dances all around the house. Ever cute. So I figure it's time for her.

Gosh! I cannot blv the age of the kiddies now! You almost have a teen! omg. lol. Things been going okay here for me, just been really busy with teen girls and beading and sewing and the full time job and elderly parents. But I'll never give up on anything, I keep forging ahead.

Yes, I wished we got to visit, but one day we'll get caught up!

Good luck on the new dress. I love red, its a beautiful colour. Hows my cuzzin doing? Say Boozhoo to him for me, and you all take good care.

Hugs
n
Love

**ojibwaysweetie** · 08-07-2008, 11:05 AM

Do you all design your dress out first, and the colour then construct? Or do some of you just go along and work as it comes to you?

With me, I basically design on paper do some colouring, but a lot of the times, as I am in midst of sewing, something will come to my mind and I end up changing it quite a bit. Does that ever happen toyou?

08-06-2008, 07:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
ojibwaysweetie PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Heart of the Great Lakes, Ontario Canada Posts: 4,981	....:::Dress Construction:::... How do you all construct your dress? Do you do a top part, then the bottom, then sew the top and bottom together? Do you do one full dress then do an underskirt for it? I've done them both ways. What do yaz all do? __________________ "Gaa wiin daa-aangoshkigaazo ahaw enaabiyaan gaa-inaabid"

08-06-2008, 07:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
ojibwaysweetie PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Heart of the Great Lakes, Ontario Canada Posts: 4,981	We always wear underskirts. __________________ "Gaa wiin daa-aangoshkigaazo ahaw enaabiyaan gaa-inaabid"

08-06-2008, 08:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
ojibwaywmn Swan Lake Ojibway Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Neechie Capital of Canada Posts: 555	I make my dresses in two pieces (top & bottom) then sew them together. I am smaller on top then the bottom so doing it all in one shot will be bit of a tailoring nightmare...lol. I also find it alot easier that way. I made one dress last year without an underskirt and it felt like I was exposing myself even though I had long shorts underneath. So I will be adding an underskirt to that dress before I wear it again. __________________

08-06-2008, 10:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
native_flutterby I are an aunt Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: I am currently burried under tons of snow Posts: 241	i use the three piece method...only cause momma and gram said a woman never shows her legs off in public...kinda like indecent exposure lmao but yeah i try to use cotton under skirts only because its breathable and is worth it in hot weather.... __________________ There can only be 2 moccasins on your feet at one time...however life has given me many pair...along with a needle, thread and really sharp teeth to cut with...lmao http://www.myspace.com/anty_tweeb

08-07-2008, 12:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
ojibwaysweetie PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Heart of the Great Lakes, Ontario Canada Posts: 4,981	Yeah when we make the 'bottom' part the underskirt is included. Make seperate one when making a one piece __________________ "Gaa wiin daa-aangoshkigaazo ahaw enaabiyaan gaa-inaabid"

08-06-2008, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
cherokeemom06 Jingling mommy.... Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 284	Mine is all one piece without an underskirt. I either gotta wear shorts under it or make an underskirt for it.

08-06-2008, 01:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Czechy wrapped in ribbonwork! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Here....for now Posts: 782	I've sewn dresses by every construction method out there. I prefer the one piece deal with a separate underskirt. That allows for mix and matching and there is no seam at the waist to be stressed or pull apart from the weight of the skirt jingles. The separate ensemble is also good for accomodating someone who is still growing.

08-06-2008, 01:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Czechy wrapped in ribbonwork! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Here....for now Posts: 782	For kids I like the cobbler apron style because it has lots of growing room.

08-07-2008, 11:05 AM	#14 (permalink)
ojibwaysweetie PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Heart of the Great Lakes, Ontario Canada Posts: 4,981	Do you all design your dress out first, and the colour then construct? Or do some of you just go along and work as it comes to you? With me, I basically design on paper do some colouring, but a lot of the times, as I am in midst of sewing, something will come to my mind and I end up changing it quite a bit. Does that ever happen toyou? __________________ "Gaa wiin daa-aangoshkigaazo ahaw enaabiyaan gaa-inaabid"