Show and Tell: Flamenco Dress

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Ann Steeves, contributor

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Classic on the top, this dress cuts loose at the hemline. It was created using a pattern by Folkwear.

Ann Steeves

The ruffled flamenco skirt can be made in different lengths, just by adding or subtracing flounces.

Ann Steeves

Underlining the upper dress with silk organza helps to strengthen the seams and reduced wrinkling.

Ann Steeves

Classic on the top, this dress cuts loose at the hemline. It was created using a pattern by Folkwear.

Photo: Ann Steeves

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The skirt. Ah, the skirt! The result is so lovely, but the journey to make it was excruciating in places. First, keeping track of 36 individual circular ruffles, in a large range of sizes, all of which must be assembled just so was, at times (most times were at 2 or 3 in the morning) a mind-bending experience. Each set of ruffles was assembled for each tier of the skirt. I finished the ruffles using the rolled hem on my serger. The ruffles were then sewn to an underlying piece of (un-ruffled) duppioni for support. These were then attached to the skirt of the dress. If you are ever thinking of making this dress, do be sure to stay-stitch the inside circle of your ruffles. The instructions don’t tell you to do this, and it is vitally important that you do. You must clip your ruffles to attach them to the underlying support tier. Stay-stitching will ensure that your results look good and eliminate the risk of clipping too far into the seam of the ruffles, which is easy to do and could have disastrous results.

The seams of the ruffles and inside seams of the lower support tiers are plainly visible when wearing this gown. I used flat fell seams for the ruffles.

For a clean finish, I bound the seams of the support tiers with bias strips of duppioni.

One of the final touches I added was a hand loop for the train of the gown. I cut a bias strip of dupioni, 18 inches long by 1 ¼ inches wide. I sewed that into a tube, turned the tube right side out and sewed it into the seamline of the bottom tier of ruffles. I was able to keep my train out of harm’s way for most of the evening thanks to it. Alas, someone’s stiletto did catch on it at one point, but it’s in an obscure place and you have to look to find it.

This helpful hand loop helps to keep the train out of harm's way.

A gorgeous gown, a great cause
The gala raised quite a lot of money for a very good cause. The gown was a hit, and it made me feel good to wear it. Some day I may go back and make a shorter version. In the meantime, I smile every time I see this dress in my closet.

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Comments (3)

RSAdams writes: That's a gorgeous creation you have there :)
Ingenious to use that steely, shimmery Dupioni. Congratulations on the design. I am inspired!
Posted: 11:30 am on October 30th

nehmah writes: Congratulations on this splendid example of the art of dressmaking. Your gown is as lovely inside as outside. You have the talent most of us hope for. Cordially, Nehmah
Posted: 12:24 pm on June 26th

ohmmoose writes: What a beautiful dress! As a student of flamenco I just have to say: OLE!



Posted: 1:23 pm on May 2nd

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