Pyre Dress

Personal Project

I designed this dress inspired by the Edwardian era of fashion, as well as Joan of Arc. I wanted to create a piece that was representative of the pyre that burned her. I did not purchase any materials for this project, and made an effort to use yardage I had had for a long time, as well as beads, thread, and trimmings.

I draped the bodice of the dress, and drafted a pattern for the skirt. The sleeves are rectangles cartridge pleated into the cuff, with a gusset.

I illustrated this concept on Paint Tool SAI. It was built from synthetic organza, silk, glass seed beads, and a variety of scrap fabrics.

I illustrated this concept on Paint Tool SAI. It was built from synthetic organza, silk, glass seed beads, and a variety of scrap fabrics.

This is the sleeve. I started with a square of synthetic organza, then added layers of fabric in a flame motif, and beaded a faint bead line as an additional flame. This piece was all hand sewn.

This is the sleeve. I started with a square of synthetic organza, then added layers of fabric in a flame motif, and beaded a faint bead line as an additional flame. This piece was all hand sewn.

This is a closeup of the yoke. For that and the bodice I cut out a flame motif the same fabric as the skirt, and then combination whip stitched and beaded the upper edge to prevent fraying.

This is a closeup of the yoke. For that and the bodice I cut out a flame motif the same fabric as the skirt, and then combination whip stitched and beaded the upper edge to prevent fraying.

This shows the back of the previous picture, showing you the stitch pattern. On each stitch there is a seed bead in a random color.

This shows the back of the previous picture, showing you the stitch pattern. On each stitch there is a seed bead in a random color.

The bodice and yoke were beaded similarly. The base of the bodice is cut from offcuts of the scarves I dyed for Romeo and Juliet.

The bodice and yoke were beaded similarly. The base of the bodice is cut from offcuts of the scarves I dyed for Romeo and Juliet.

The bodice has a fitted underbodice, and a looser over bodice. The underbodice is canvas flatlined with a red and gold base fabric I pulled from my scrap.

The bodice has a fitted underbodice, and a looser over bodice. The underbodice is canvas flatlined with a red and gold base fabric I pulled from my scrap.

The finished dress features a center back zipper, and hand done buttonholes at the cuffs accompanied by fabric covered buttons.

The finished dress features a center back zipper, and hand done buttonholes at the cuffs accompanied by fabric covered buttons.

The hem is designed similarly to the sleeves with a repeated flame motif, and the layers and beading give it incredible weight and swoosh.

The hem is designed similarly to the sleeves with a repeated flame motif, and the layers and beading give it incredible weight and swoosh.