Catherine's Red Dress Gallery

The first fitting after drafting a foundation bodice.
The first fitting after drafting a foundation bodice.
Ensuring seam allowances are lined up.
Ensuring seam allowances are lined up.
Still fitting.
Still fitting.
Snipping the seam allowance on the neck so that Charlie isn't strangled!
Snipping the seam allowance on the neck so that Charlie isn't strangled!
Checking the back is even.
Checking the back is even.
Shoulders back, hands on hips to tighten as much as possible.
Shoulders back, hands on hips to tighten as much as possible.
First fitting complete.
First fitting complete.
Pop the bodice onto the dummy so that we can draw the style lines directly onto the calico.
Pop the bodice onto the dummy so that we can draw the style lines directly onto the calico.
Half back and half front has been cut out of the full bodice along the new style lines.
Half back and half front has been cut out of the full bodice along the new style lines.
Dividing the bodice into calico pattern pieces.
Dividing the bodice into calico pattern pieces.
Calico pattern pieces nearly complete.
Calico pattern pieces nearly complete.
Transfer calico pattern pieces onto paper.
Transfer calico pattern pieces onto paper.
Laying out the new pattern pieces for a further toile. Markings for bust and waist, seam allowance and notches are very important.
Laying out the new pattern pieces for a further toile. Markings for bust and waist, seam allowance and notches are very important.
Starting work on stitching the corset toile.
Starting work on stitching the corset toile.
Stitching around a curve.
Stitching around a curve.
Stitching carefully over the pins. In the final piece, basting will replace pins.
Stitching carefully over the pins. In the final piece, basting will replace pins.
Easing fabric into the curve.
Easing fabric into the curve.
Front and sides of corset toile complete.
Front and sides of corset toile complete.
Charlie cuddling Frank while Catherine works.
Charlie cuddling Frank while Catherine works.
Corset toile onto the dummy.
Corset toile onto the dummy.
Dummy not quite the same size as Charlie.
Dummy not quite the same size as Charlie.
Plenty of room at the back to pull the body in.
Plenty of room at the back to pull the body in.
Checking the fit on Charlie.
Checking the fit on Charlie.
Charlie's waist nicely pulled in.
Charlie's waist nicely pulled in.
Final corset stitched together in fabric Catherine made especially for Charlie, using shadow work technique.
Final corset stitched together in fabric Catherine made especially for Charlie, using shadow work technique.
Stitching together the fishtail skirt in this beautiful red silk that Charlie bought.
Stitching together the fishtail skirt in this beautiful red silk that Charlie bought.
The final outfit from behind.
The final outfit from behind.
A closer look at the finished corset.
A closer look at the finished corset.
Some of Charlie's original research.
Some of Charlie's original research.
Charlie's original design sketch.
Charlie's original design sketch.