Design for Shabby Apple

My friend Jini just told me about this! There is a contest going on to design for Shabby Apple Dresses. I'm in love with SO many of their dresses, and I was just telling Jason how inspiring it is that a clothing company who sells modest dresses can do so well. I wish I had time to design and sew up something new, but since the deadline is tomorrow, I thought I'd submit my Easter dress from this last spring.My inspiration comes from just having made Carson's prom dress with the pretty sweetheart neckline, princess seams, and light blue at the waist. Sweetheart necklines are kindof out for a DD with modesty standards, so I wanted to make a dress with the same sillouette, but totally covered :). I wanted the skirt to have the feel of a cheerleader skirt to it--fitted through the hip, then flared, but mostly at the sides. From there I had to doll it up with ruffles and buttons, but not too much fluff. For fabric, I tend towards the thicker stuff lately. Both the blue and white are a heavyweight suiting cotton. I didn't want the top to be too sheer or the skirt to be too fluffy. The weight with the trim holds it down just right. The black trim is the wrong side of a costume satin, surged and sewn all around the hem and only the front of the bodice. The white dress inside has boning up the seams, a full skirt slip, and is attached to the blue dress at the side seams and exposed blue zipper. The sleeves are tiny cap sleeves with small gathers at the shoulders. There are seven panels, each flaring below the hip to keep it looking fitted but flirty. Of course, it could be done in any spring color, but I'm also always a fan of anything black/white and yellow!