DIY: Dress Applique

I finally got around to emulating Kimi's dress (well, to the best of my much-less-artistic abilities!).

Thanks to a kindred spirit's recommendation within the comments section from a post I wrote a while ago, I decided to use Wonder Under to attach the applique fabric to the fabric of the dress.

Here's what I did:

1. At the fabric store, I searched high and low for an applique fabric that would not fray. I managed to find a velvet that didn't fray, but it was stretchy. I worried that the stretchiness would make it difficult to deal with, but since I wasn't actually sewing it to anything, it didn't end up making the project too much harder.
2. I asked the fabric store clerk to direct me to the Wonder Under. I've used Steam-a-Seam before, and Wonder Under is like its less expensive twin sister. You buy it by the yard, and it's so cheap! I got enough Wonder Under to match up with my velvet fabric.
3. Following the instructions on the Wonder Under, I ironed the Wonder Under to my velvet.
4. Next, I flipped the whole thing over and started to draw my design on the white paper backing (remembering that it would be in reverse). I tried to use a light pencil, so I could erase every time I messed up (which happened a lot!). I mainly drew my design by staring at Kimi's dress (even though mine completely pales in comparison!). I also looked at clipart of birds to help me draw the bird. If I were less lazy, I could have printed clipart, cut it out, and then traced it onto my paper/fabric.
5. After I sketched everything out in pencil, I went over the design with a black Sharpie, so I knew exactly where I needed to cut.
   
6. Then I spent a very long time cutting out the design. Emphasis on very long.
7. After peeling off the back of the Wonder Under, I was then able to lay out the applique on my dress.
8. With the design in place, I slid the ironing board under my dress and began ironing on the applique (again, following the directions that came with the Wonder Under).
   

And that was it! (Those directions definitely make it sound easier than it was...the process was quite tedious at times...).

I've worn the dress once (and won't be able to wear it again for a while because my breasts are swelling big time, in response to this pregnancy!). I didn't get a single compliment on it, but I'm quite happy with the way it turned out. I think this process would be an excellent way to embellish a wedding dress.

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