ARWEN MOURNING GOWN MUSLIN CONSTRUCTION

Patterns Used

McCall's 3109

McCall's 3109 was used for the skirt. This is a full skirt with a V waistline that attaches to the bodice, very similar to the Arwen Mourning Gown. If I could do this dress over again I would use 60" silk velvet (if I could find it). However, because I had already purchased 11 yards of 45" silk velvet I had to adapt the pattern to it. This meant splitting the back skirt panel into two pieces. The front of the skirt was not placed on a fold. Instead the center front was flared forward a few inches and made into a seam.

Simplicity 9103

Simplicity 9103 View D was used for the bodice. Because this pattern is designed to use with stretch fabrics I found the bodice had to be altered at the shoulders by adding to the width (The armcycle opening was changed as well - I used the shape of the arm holes from Simplicity 7964). I also tapered in the front center seam quite a bit and altered the side seams. A drop waistline was added following the lines of the bodice pattern from McCall's 3109. Finally, the neckline had to be altered (made wider and deeper) and a small V split added to the top.

Muslin Progress

After trying 6 different pattern combinations and 4 different muslin attempts, this 5th muslin has come the closest to the drape and fit I'm looking for in order the replicate the Mourning Gown. A fitting adjustment needs to be made to the side seams of the bodice to get them to lay smoothly. I may also change the seam line placement in the back of the skirt as indicated by the blue marker line.

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