http://www.nawink.com/blog/for-photographers-maternity-gown-props
If you're wondering where I purchase my "Not DIY" maternity gowns, my blog post on my website has some good links for you to check out :)
http://www.nawink.com/blog/for-photographers-maternity-gown-props
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I found this gown at a second hand wedding dress shop and I knew it would make the most beautiful maternity gown! And I was right! It already had a long flowy train that parted down the middle so I just did some alterations to the front and made the base split down the centre. I started by cutting the middle layer/panel out because it wasn't going to fall right once I split the centre. I ended up making the middle panel into a slip to go under the dress so it wouldn't show any leg for a more modest gown. I also took the lace edging off the bottom. I still haven't decided what to do with that part! :P After I cut the split, I hemmed the edges. I also had to make a few alterations to the back near where the zipper was because I wanted to make it able to fit a wider variety of maternity clients.
I've had two wedding dresses that I've transformed into maternity gowns.. but that takes some imagination and a little bit of sewing skills ;) This first one is from a vintage wedding dress from the '70's or '80's I'm assuming. I re-designed the neckline and shortened the sleeves. I also put in a corset style lace up back so I could adjust it to different sized models. (Even though I made it adjustable, it still only fits up to a size 8 because the dress was so tiny in the first place)
I don't use a traditional beanbag for my newborn sessions, I've always used the bed in my studio because I never had the space for a posing beanbag. (My studio doubles as a guest room so we can't get rid of the bed. Plus I use it for my maternity portraits.) First you will have to measure how tall your bed is from the floor to top of the mattress. Mine was 27" INCLUDING the joints. So my actual cut length of pvc was about 25 inches, allowing for 1 inch for each joint. I bought three 8ft lengths of pvc and that was good for my bed. My measurements are just a guideline, as not all beds are the same height. For the joints, you will need 2 "T" joints and 6 Corner joints. You can also get pvc glue if you want your joints to be permanent. I needed mine to be easy to take apart and store under the bed so I didn't glue mine. ****BLOG UPDATE**** Since I built my stand, I also have made a custom sized beanbag to sit on the bed. Beanbag dimensions- 48 inches by 48 inches. I just used scrap fabric I had kicking around. (finished product ends up being a bit narrower once filling is in) Infinity gowns are great for maternity.. low cost, various wearing styles, and they're one size fits all! What you need: Approx 6 meters (around 6.5 yards) jersey or cotton stretch fabric. (If you want longer straps, get around 7 meters) matching thread sewing machine Step #1 Cut your straps along the width of the fabric about 12 inches wide. Most fabric width is 52", but feel free to make your straps longer to get more variety with the styles. On my blue gown I made the straps closer to 72 inches long and that was good too. Step 2 -Run a quick hem down the one side of your fabric (I only hemmed the part I was going to put pleats in) Take your long length of fabric and find the halfway point. Pin pleats so your pleated length is around 24" (It doesn't have to be exact) Sew the pleated part on your sewing machine Step 3- take the straps you cut previously and hem the sides that are going to be at the neckline. If you want, you can definitely do both sides, but the other side is going to be hidden by the arm and it curls under so you should have no problem having a raw edge. I didn't hem the neckline on my blue gown because the fabric was a bit different than my brown one, but the brown fabric didn't curl as nicely as the blue so I made the neckline area nice and neat. Step 4- Overlap the next strap by about 6 inches. With the blue gown I made the mistake of only overlapping about 2 inches.. and now I have to make sure the moms are wearing a bra/bandeau underneath with some styles. Final step- sew your straps to the pleated part of the gown and you're done! I leave the back open and just pin it so it fits every size. The train is quite long as well, so it looks really pretty :) For a link to see different ways to wear infinity gowns, go to http://watters.com/infinity-dress.html or search pinterest for more ideas!
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AuthorI am a wife & mom to 2 beautiful children, Newborn Photographer, and DIY Prop maker. I am also a prop-aholic... as you will see in my posts! But best of all, i'm a sinner saved by God's grace! John 3:16 Archives
April 2016
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