I dream of the day I would be able to create my own dress, and this is the journey into fulfilling that dream.

Every project starts with an idea, and an idea is always inspired. I am a lover of dress of any kinds and it is my hobby to skim google images for dress of various forms.

The type of yarn is very important, this project I used an imported yarn from Turkey [brand Ice Yarns @ http://yarn-paradise.com] Yarn is metallic, and has a yardage of 650m at 5og of weight, that tells you how thin the yarn is and would be great for a flowing dress.

Next is choosing the lace. www.mypicot.com is very helpful because of their showcase of open-lace crochet work. I chose a lace with triangular alternating patterns:

I started with forming the bust. The bust should be triangular with elongated end. I was able to achieve this shape by adjusting the number of stitches in the middle rather than on the sides. Like when sewing clothes, you have to sew a straight line on a back of a rectangular cloth to shape the bust. This is the first time I decreased stitches on the center, usually I shape crochet by decreasing stitches on the sides.

I worked 80 ch as foundation of the lace, and I have 6 triangles. I started the decrease on the fourth row, skipping a loop on the center as I gain length. The garment starts to form a dome shape until I only have four full triangles.

Then on one sleepless night, I got inspired to add hairpin lace as collar. The back is just a horizontal strip of the lace mentioned above. I also added two open shells a row to form the ribbon under the bust line. I love the look that I was able to make and the skirt of the dress is the only thing left.

Alas, it is proving more difficult because I have decided on a flowing blooming lace. The stitches increases as the length goes longer.  Currently I am on my fourth ball of yarn. I think you can tell it in my face how much I love my current progress

Crocheted dress gaining length. Progress November 3, 2012

And my mom is kind enough to take over the project. She is actually addicted in finishing it.

Look! now the dress is gaining  length day by day!

And after a few rows and my mom’s obsession to finish the fourth skein of yarn, we arrived to the desired length of the dress. It is now time for me to find the right lace edging for the hemline. I want this to be ruffled because I like ruffled dresses. And my mom is already asking me to decide for the design so she can finish it! I am thinking, hey mom.. I do want to take part too! 😀 hahaha.. I guess my mother just love looking at the result and she is just amazed as I am.

Another week passed and I get to crochet the lace edging and the lining for the skirt. Here is the current progress:

I made the edging in small squares so I can add another layer where I will make the stitches so close that it will fold to create ruffles.
I was also able to make the lining for the skirt. The chiffon I bought is in nude color.

Finally, the crocheted dress is finished!!!!

And I wore it during my friends’ wedding. See here