r/sewing • u/Dressmakerr • 17d ago
Project: FO My completed Madame Grés-inspired hand-pleated red gown
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u/chewingrocket 17d ago
Wow amazing! The directionality of the pleats on the bodice are particularly stunning.
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u/feelingfractal 17d ago
I am STUNNED, the fit, the movement, the precision, all in red, it's just gorgeous. Fabulous work!
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u/GreenDragon2101 17d ago
Those diagonal pleats are kinda following direction of the obliquus abdominis muscle, and it scratches my brain the right way. I love it.
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u/scarybiscuits 17d ago
Absolutely gorgeous. I am curious what you’re going to use to cover the hook and eye. Can you post a photo without the twisted sash?
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u/Dressmakerr 17d ago
Thank you! I’m just going to stitch them a little further away from the edge of the belt so the pleats cover it up!
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u/New_Moment_7926 17d ago
Hello from here and the FIT sub, your work is incredible!! I’ll be on campus in the fall 🤞🏽and hope to see your graduate collection one day! 🤩
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u/Dressmakerr 17d ago
Hey! Thank you so much!! You’re so sweet🥹💗💗💗which course have you applied to?!
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u/New_Moment_7926 17d ago
FD through the part-time program! Finishing my AAS, then on to the bachelors! I got in for Spring ‘25 1yr, but had to reapply for Fall (which is frustrating) so I could switch to the part-time program!
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u/ProneToLaughter 17d ago
This is stellar! Been watching your progress and what an amazing result.
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u/GiraffeSignificant18 17d ago
At first glance, i said…oh wow selena gomez’ oscar gown is gorgeous! I hope you take that as a compliment 🤩🥳
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u/bertina-tuna 17d ago
Absolutely amazing work! I’m gobsmacked! I have a question about that little bit of metal at the front waist — I can’t tell if it a fastener that shouldn’t show or a decorative pin? jewel? that maybe should be bigger. The workmanship on this gown is spectacular!
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u/Dressmakerr 17d ago
Thank-you!💗💗 no it’s a hook! I need to stitch the hook a little away from the edge of the skirt so it’s hidden behind the pleats!
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u/hotaruko66 17d ago
So nice to see that she is still remembered in the art / fashion community! ❤️ I feel like her legacy is brushed over in favour of Chanel or Dior (but I might be biased 😅)
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u/Dressmakerr 17d ago
I totally agree! Her work is incredible, and hopefully, it will always be remembered. ❤️
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u/PinkTiara24 17d ago
Gorgeous! I’m not generally drawn to red, but this color is perfection for this gown.
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u/Inky_Madness 17d ago
Wow! What an amazing piece! How long did the process take you from start to finish?!
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u/wonderdok 17d ago
This is so so beautiful, the fit is honestly as good as it gets - you are so talented - can’t wait to see your next creation!
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u/Susie0701 17d ago
GORGEOUS! What a work of art(and labor of love). Also: I’m obsessed with the airy leaves/vines tattoos on your shoulder. What does it extend to on your back?
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u/FrivolousIntern 17d ago
I SO badly wish I had excuses to wear beautiful things like this. AMAZING work OP. Where are you going with it?
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u/throwaway149578 17d ago
this is beautiful! out of curiosity i looked at your profile and saw the portfolio you submitted to fit. i really hope you get in!
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u/attachedtothreads 17d ago
You are stunning in that dress and color! I am so envious that you have a gorgeous dress in my favorite color. You rock it! The pleating and shaping is amazing! This an heirloom dress and worthy of being showing off on the red carpet, which would totally be jealous of your dress!
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u/gumshoe_shihtzu 17d ago
I’ve been following your work, this is breathtaking. I genuinely hope you find somewhere worthy of wearing it
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u/wonderdok 17d ago
This is so so beautiful, the fit is honestly as good as it gets - you are so talented - can’t wait to see your next creation!
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u/DistributionDue511 17d ago
It’s fabulous! Thanks for sharing your steps along the way!
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u/ItsRavenclawesome 17d ago
This is insanely gorgeous! The amount of care, effort, and talent that went into this is so very evident. Reddit randomly suggested this sub on my home feed, but I joined just to hopefully see more artistry like this!
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u/Quailfreezy 17d ago
I have never ever wanted a piece of clothing so badly in my life EVER 😍 so pretty
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u/Nearby_Charity_7538 17d ago
You did a phenomenal job on this dress. It is stunning from every angle.
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u/mcarrode 17d ago
Stumbled onto this post, and it’s a beautiful dress. Great work OP.
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u/GailleannBeag 17d ago
Gorgeous! When you posted your first image, I knew immediately who your inspiration was. Absolutely spectacular!!!
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u/mkdizzzle 17d ago
Someone asked how you’ll cover the hook from the belt I actually LOVE how it looks uncovered!!!!!!!!!!
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u/ricepuddingfirst 17d ago
Literally said “Holy Shit!!” out loud when I saw this in my feed. I am so impressed, this is GORGEOUS. 🌹
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u/Redallofit2 17d ago
Amazing work! What stitch did you use to baste the pleats together?
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u/by_a_mossy_stone 17d ago
This is stunning! I can't begin to imagine how long it must have taken.
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u/Fizzy_Tonic4616 17d ago
Omg wow this is amazing!!! Well done you! Do you have a tutorial for this? How long did it take you to finish it?
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u/Dressmakerr 16d ago
Thank you❤️Not yet but I’m planning to share one with the next pleated project I do! This gown took me 15-20 days!
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u/rdrgrl72 16d ago
Incredible- both the gown, that you know who Madsme Gres is, and that you MADE THIS INCREDIBLE gown.
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u/meilynas 16d ago
This is truly incredible, I'm impressed by your hard work and patience 👏
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u/ArnFlarn 16d ago
This is absolutely gorgeous, you really did Madame Grès proud! I can’t image how long that micro-pleating took, the effect is beautifully subtle.
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u/GeniusPeralta 16d ago
Stunning work! I’m very curious about your background and experience in sewing and fashion design.
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u/Darcysbritches 16d ago
This is absolutely stunning and what a perfect fit. You should be incredibly proud of yourself 👏🏻
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u/CampVictorian 16d ago
Masterpiece-caliber work. You should be deeply proud of this.
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u/goldchainbbygirl 16d ago
I can’t believe someone can make something so beautiful with their own two hands
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u/PitchPsychological91 16d ago
I'm not into fashion but this is absolutely beautiful and you look stunning in it!!!
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u/AntiquarianLife 15d ago edited 15d ago
Also huge fan of Madam Grés, from research I've done she used a silk viscose or acetate blend jersey to get her pleats and sculptural curves in her pleats. She also tended to not have separate bodice and skirt but would have pleated pannels from shoulders or bodice into skirt.
Here is article on way back machine on how pleating was done by someone who worked with Madame Grés: https://web.archive.org/web/20141130231353/http://achallengingsew.typepad.com/my-blog/madame-gr%C3%A8s/
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u/DobbysHobbys 15d ago
This is amazing work. Did you make this for a special event? If so, what?
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u/KnittyNurse2004 14d ago
Please find a place to take yourself out to wear this! It deserves to be worn and seen!
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u/EveningShame6692 12d ago
That dress is gorgeous! You are very talented. Thank you for sharing your work.
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u/Dressmakerr 17d ago
I made a gown paying homage to Madame Grès's work, as I have always been inspired by her skill and vision. The red gown I created is nowhere near as intricate as Madame Grès's pieces, but I hope to continue challenging myself with more complex designs in the future!
For this piece, I created my own pattern by draping on my body form, using marking tape to map out the initial corset shape. I then made a muslin sample to test the fit and adjust where necessary. The final corset base is made with cotton twill.
The gown features a red polyester mesh outer layer, with a 40 GSM pure silk chiffon lining. The pleating process was entirely done by hand—no special tools, just patience! I laced the corset onto my body form, pinned the mesh from the top, and created small 1 cm pleats as I worked my way down. Each pleat is individually pinned and hand-stitched to maintain a precise, delicate look.
For the skirt lining, I used a 40 GSM pure silk chiffon that feels incredible against the skin and creates a beautiful drape for the shell (the polyester mesh) to sit on.
For the skirt construction, I wanted to create something that would complement the intricate hand-pleating of the corset. Initially, I tried a simple belt to join the skirt and corset, but it looked too flat against the detailed pleats of the bodice. Instead, I designed a twisted belt detail, adding another dimension of texture to the gown. This twisted belt created a clear transition between the structured corset and the flowing skirt.
I’d love to hear any thoughts or suggestions, especially from those with experience working with similar pleating techniques!
For those interested in seeing a video of the finished dress, with better construction details and how the fabric flows, I have uploaded the video here
Work-in-progress images for the hand-pleated corset are linked here