There's a school dance coming up soon. This is the first and only one that I'm going to, in honor of me leaving middle school.

Since I don't really look good in normal dresses, I've decided to try something I've wanted to for a long while. I'm going to go dressed in Gothic Lolita.

Now I'm completely new to this world, though I've admired the style for a while.

Since I can't buy the outfit, I'm planning to make it myself.

Are there any tips for me?

What are your experiences with dressing like this?

Hi Dys! Do you know how to sew already? Because what you're planning is a pretty big undertaking.

That'd be so fun, but I suck at sewing. >.<

Once I'm healthy enough to get a job, I'm going to buy myself a Baby! The Stars Shine Bright dress. :3


I love Baby!

Find basic patterns for dresses - there are many out there. As long as you have the dress pattern you're able to make the dress look exactly how you want it to rather than going from a pattern you have made up.
Also take a gander at Gothic Lolita sites and pick out the styles that most suit you and draw them/write notes about them so that you can refer to them when sewing.

Also, when it comes to Lolita the shoes make the outfit - you can't make them( if you can then idk, make me some! XD) and depending on where you live buying them is UBER expensive. Also shipping them is rather costly... not to mention that you can't try them on... I have a pair and they're WAY too high... but I love them anyways.

I went to my school ball in a lolita dress I bought - I got a good reaction out of it. I looked like a vampire. I didn't have the shoes then but I wish I did. I also wear my loli-dress to school and my mother says she's gonna help me make my own ones too. I can't sew to save myself!~

Anyways I hope that's helpful.. I think I just ramble on heaps!

i actually made my first gothic lolita costume ^ ^
i also had the help of my textiles teacher, i didnt go out to buy any patterns though as i hand made my patterns etc
took me a while to finish it all D:

sometimes its also easier if you bought something basic from a store eg: i once bought a plain layered black skirt, then i just customised it by sewing on 2 different types of white lace on the ends of each layer xD

good luck making your costume!

I got perfect Lolita shoes from a second hand store :3 they were like 5€.

like someone said, just find a normal dress pattern and enhance it with lolita items like lace and bows ^^ well, depending on what kind of lolita style you are into..

Oh lolita... Please do tell me if I'm babbling, this is a topic and fashion I can go on about in great length without realizing it.

Your (and everyone else's) #1 source is the lolita handbook. They have all the basics as well and a whole segment dedicated to sewing and tutorials and patterns. You might also try looking at sew_loli for some inspiration.

The next thing to decide is your style. gothic? sweet? classic? Each has their own aesthetic. A good bet is to browse brand site pictures to see what appeals to you. If you find a design you like, try finding a similar pattern and modifying it. (On that note... I hope you know how to sew or have someone who does know to help you!)

A few things to remember are that you want to be looking for good quality fabric and lace (if you use it, remember that more lace isn't always good and a nice ruffle will often look more formal). If you use lace, make sure it is soft and not the cheap plasticky 25 cents a yard stuff. That will always look horrible.

Also since this is being worn to a dance, make sure to accessorize it nicely. You don't want to look like you're cosplaying!! (Not that this is a bad thing.. when you're at a convention. And the goal of lolita is to not be a costume anyway).

And most of all.. be confident! You'll get some strange looks when you're wearing a petticoat and a nicely made lolita outfit, but all that matters is that you feel good about it!

Just be sure you know what you're getting yourself into... Sewing is a lot harder than it sounds. I would definitely suggest getting help from your mom, grandma, aunt, friend, friend's mom, teacher or anyone who knows how to sew on this if you're an absolute beginner...

Also... Definitely have a plan on what you want to do... Draw it out or something. And make sure to practice on some scrap fabric if you're unsure. Fabric tends to be expensive (if you get good fabric) so you don't want to end up wasting a lot of it. Still... You usually need quite a bit more fabric than you usually think.

@ Blond - I know how to sew. The sewing MACHINE however... >o>;
By the way, I see you got a promotion. Congratz, sweetie!

@ Boom - Patterns? Could you explain to me a little what you mean by this?
O_o; For shoes, I was hoping to buy those at Goodwill.

@ Sagi - ^^; Thank you, but what kind of lace and bows would you suggest?

@ Fiarra - Haha, I get funny looks wherever I go, so that won't be too much of a matter for me.
What kind of accessories do you think would be nice? The dress I'm planning to wear is cover almost every inch of my skin, so I can't goet too much. XD

@ Zig - Thank you. I"m planning to ask my mother, and maybe my friend's friend's mother.

It would probably depend on the style and color of the dress I suppose. Mostly just something nice for your head? maybe?

@ Fiarra - I'm planning one of those lacy headbands. But I don't want to end up looking like a french maid. D8;

The best way to avoid looking like a french maid is to not use large tacky lace on black. xD if you're making a black and white outfit, you might make an alice band in all black (Headband with a bow on it if you didn't know). Or even a black based headdress with small white accents.

Also if your dress doesn't look like a maid outfit then it should be ok.

Patterns show you how to sew clothing - like how big each piece of material should be. It's like a map on how to make your clothes.
You can find them in craft stores.. I'm sure they can explain better than I can. The people there can help too. I have a lolita-ish pattern based on a costume meant for a fairy! XD

@ Boom - ^^;; A lot of people have told me about patterns. I've yet to understand what one is. ._.;

Dystopia: A pattern is made of large pieces of thin paper. On it there are outlines tracing out the shapes of whatever you are making. You cut them out, cut out pieces of fabric in those shapes, and then sew all the pieces together.

@ Fiarra - Ohh!

/licks anna

i know nothing of this topic but...

GOODLUCK! /hug

I wish I could draw but I cant draw for my life haha.

although I don't have any help for you since I bought mine, I will tell you that everone at the anime convention loved it, I looked so cute ^-^.

i've actually been looking for some patterns as well.
i'm a lolita myself, however i don't have that much money.
i know how to sew, i just can't find any good, free online patterns.

EDIT
KeiKei Shunu
AMG. baby! the stars shine bright. <33

Tracy: I think the lolita handbook that I linked in the first post has some links to free patterns. Also it links to some tutorials for things like skirts, etc.

yeah, i've taken a look at that before.
it seem all the patterns are in japanese, though. o_O

I feel like someone on egl was translating those, but I can't be sure...

i hope. x_x
i'll look around a bit more.

^^;; How would one MAKE patterns?