Origami Sun Dress

AthenaWeaves, member

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Front of Origami Dress

Back of Origami Dress

Close Up of Folding

Origami is ...

How I folded my fabric

Front of Origami Dress

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I was inspired by this ‘Origami’ dress designed by Francisco Costa, senior designer with the Calvin Klein Co. for the Spring 2009 collection.

http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/klein_1.jpg

In an interview I saw last month, Mr. Costa demonstrated step by step his ‘origami’ technique on fabric. Origami is the ancient art of paper folding from Japan. After I saw the interview I couldn’t wait to try what I had learned. The Sew Stylish contest was just the encouragement I needed. I purchase Sew Stylish magazine for the way the editors bring high fashion runway techniques and trends to the home sewer.

As a home sewer I lack the ability to finish Mr. Costa’s gown the way his talented staff did. What I really needed was the Sew Stylish pattern 2657 to provide a canvass for me to attempt Mr. Costa’s ‘origami’ technique.

I began this project entry by following Senior Technical Editor Judith Neukam’s advice in her article ‘Fit or Bust’ on pages 36 - 39 (Sew Stylish Spring ’09) for how to size the bodice pieces to fit my bust. Next I followed view C for my dress length, only I changed the pattern’s ‘A’ line into a strait column skirt.

To make the skirt I had to make my own fabric. Following Mr. Costa’s technique I hand basted a large bolt of paper onto my cotton fabric to prepare it for origami folding. The paper is then marked column by column, then row by row to create squares. Each column of squares is horizontally pleated just like a Scottish kilt. The fabric is pressed with a warm iron to make crisp pleats. Vertical pleats are folded right on top of the original horizontal pleats. After a warm iron is used again to create crisp vertical pleats, triangular folds are made in between the vertical pleats. Once the warm iron is used for the third and final time the embellished ‘origami’ fabric is ready to be cut out using the skirt pattern pieces. To complete the dress I continued to follow the pattern directions and finished all seams with my serger.

I feel that I should win because I am following what the Spring 2009 issue of Sew Stylish magazine is all about - Sew Stylish pattern 2657 is so versatile the home sewer can use it to emulate runway fashion techniques from the professional couturiers and make it her own. My version of an ‘origami’ dress for this contest is by far the most complicated and challenging sewing project I have ever attempted. As a fellow home sewer, please understand the workmanship that went into this entry. Thank you so much to my fellow sewing enthusiasts I welcome all of your comments. And good luck to my fellow entrants for all their hard work!

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Comments (3)

AthenaWeaves writes: Thank you so very much for both of your strong encouragement. This meant so much to me. I worked so hard on something I’ve never quite attempted before. I’m just thankful it turned out good enough for someone else to appreciate. Thank you both very much again!
Posted: 12:23 pm on June 12th

GertieT writes: Stunning! I am so impressed by your interpretation of a designer technique. Beautiful work.
Posted: 4:49 pm on June 2nd

theemptynest writes: All I can say is WOW......it is obvious you have put a lot of thought, time and know how into this garment. It is beautiful and very worthy of first place. So unique! Or should I say Sew unique ;-)
Posted: 4:19 pm on June 2nd

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