I Sewed Deborah Kerr’s “Shall We Dance” Ball Dress From The King & I

So here we are nearly 1 year after part 1 of making this costume I am finally here with part 2 where I make the ball dress worn by Deborah Kerr in the 1956 Hollywood Musical The King & I

[@ushere5791]

love the second bow--the slightly smaller one. the gown is gorgeous--wish we could see her dance! you truly did her justice, james.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

@@ushere5791 thank you so much ☺️

[@rethinkcps2116]

Smaller bow rocks! Love the crystals in white net - a gorgeous touch. A++

[@djh68]

Exquisite recreation James.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you so much

[@pointermom7641]

Beautiful! I have done Victorian sewing for 25 years and my project is to make this dress historically accurate. I’m just about to order the duchess silk satin and look forward to this fun project. If I was going to change anything on your dress I would make the bow smaller. If you look at original dresses, the birth is often have bows but they are nowhere near that large. I know obviously that this is a 1950s theatrical costume and not intended to be historically accurate but if you did make the bow smaller I think it would be more satisfied with the results. I have subscribed to your channel and look forward to seeing your other projects.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you so much for subscribing to my channel I hope you will enjoy it. The next video will be an 1880s bustle dress from the 1967 BBC drama The Forsyte Saga

[@pointermom7641]

@@jameskellylondon2428 yum. I can’t wait to see it.

[@bvcnvnbcvn]

I would love for you to recreate Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln's inaugural gown. It went missing. There is a 1930's photo of a woman holding the dress.

[@sweetlikehoney5216]

Amazing work!! 😩🤌🏾

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you

[@stephaniebotfield7188]

We are our own worst enemies for not being happy with the final outcome. James you are a talented man in your own right but you excel at all ends of the spectrum in making gowns or dresses or frocks whatever you call them. Personally whatever you make becomes a gown to me. It’s how you do it that makes them “ rock “ and I love everyone you’ve ever made. How I missed this KZbin irritated me and I checked my “ bell “ now if I miss anything I’ll scream and scream until I’m sick. Rock on James. Bring it on more please. Hugs all round xxx cheered me up I’ve got Covid and now I know it won’t or shouldn’t kill me with all my health challenges. Yay….

[@The5thSphinx]

My curiosity will just not allow me to stay silent in regard to the way you've hemmed this gown. The gown as seen in the film shows the hem to be so barely visible that most viewers, even straining to see it, would see no hem at all. The hem on your gown is extremely visible. This is NOT meant to be a criticism of your work. Knowing how experienced and knowledgeable you are about such things, I'm just sure you had a very valid reason for the way you did it, and I'd love to know it.....if you'll share it with us. Keep up your great work!!!

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Yes the skirt in the film would have been backed with silk organza and the hem stitches sewn into that. Unfortunately there was no way I could afford the fabric to back the skirt with

[@The5thSphinx]

@@jameskellylondon2428 Ah!! Now see? I KNEW there was a good reason, and even a little "film costume education" thrown in with your answer. The hem being stitched to an underlayer of organza makes total artistic sense! I don't know that I've ever heard about that technique before, so thank you again for the information!!

[@keelyjohnston19]

I’m in love that dress is stunning. I’m so jealous of your talent. I’ve been sewing for about 4 years I’ve only just started wearing things I make.

[@sewstinkincute]

I really need to put this movie on my watch list. Especially if it has gorgeous gowns like this one in it. Wonderful job.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you. Yes you must watch it, its a beautiful film. Deborah Kerr wears 6 dresses and they arre all beautiful

[@johnshepard629]

James!!! I am ALWAYS gobsmacked at your artistry and talent! It is always a joy and a pleasure to see you making these incredible garments. They are all truly James Kelly Couture. Bravo!!!

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you so much

[@MelDaltonMusic]

Thank you for this video! I'm about to start the same dress and it's great to see how you did it. I don't see the link to part 1, I'll have to check your channel for it.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Yes please watch part 1 also as the petticoat is more interesting than the dress.

[@perapelman7687]

James Kelly-what a nice piece of great work you have done once again👏 You made this dress as I like it a lot😁

[@theresahaack3685]

Hello James. fascinating watching you work. I think the bow is slightly too large for the bodice. Over all I love it.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

thanks for you reply im glad you enjoyed it. The designer did love a big bows but i may play with it some more.

[@mce1939]

Lovely! Enjoy seeing it all finished. Thank you for sharing your process with us. I appreciate you being honest on losing interest in the project and your final thoughts.

[@slbarbieri1725]

Yes, James, we do love her! Just lovely! Well done!

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you

[@marywynn4895]

So beautiful! Both bows are pretty, I prefer the second one tho just a smidge more.

[@LynLyn373]

My fave movie costumes

[@susquahallasmiley3262]

Lovely, as always, and it was worth the wait for me!

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you so much

[@MandyAmsterdam]

Wonderful. You’re brilliant.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you so much

[@btobmelody3217]

love your work so much. please consider making more of gone with the wind costumes, e.g. scarlett's dresses in the opening scene and the barbecue one 💚

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Hi thanks for your message I did think about making the BBQ dress last year but the cost was to much for me as I have no sponsors or patrons on Patreon

[@btobmelody3217]

@@jameskellylondon2428 have you considered selling these gorgeous dresses?

[@NurseBearEnterprises]

Preferring the second bow.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Good to know 😉

[@playtone229]

This is fantastic! This may be a dumb question, but did the actual dress have the lace up back or did you add that for effect? I just don't remember seeing it. (This is my favorite movie and my favorite scene.)

[@jameskellylondon2428]

Thank you so much. Yes the dress in the film had lacing in the back too.

[@playtone229]

@@jameskellylondon2428 awesome...I've been wanting this dress since I was a little girl. My goal this year (finally at the age of 53) is to have it made so I can wear it for a party. :-)

[@playtone229]

@@jameskellylondon2428 FYI, I sent you an email in case it went to your junk folder.

[@aaronlefay]

I love your Chanel. Just discovered you not that long ago and have fallen in love. I want to ask one question! I know you follow the original designs the best you can. So why did they do the Hem In that fashion? Does it keep it from falling under that last hoop boning of the crinoline?

[@jameskellylondon2428]

It's just easier when the skirt is made from straight panels of fabric to level them from the top it was also the way skirts were done in the 18th century

[@aaronlefay]

@@jameskellylondon2428 I’ve actually been doing the over skirts the same way as you do. It is much easier to do it that way. Something new to learn 😊. I have been constructed a grand hoop skirt (something to make Walter Plunkett jealous). I have just recently started making over skirts for it and the method you have taught me has been most useful in making the petticoat and main skirt.

[@jameskellylondon2428]

@@aaronlefay if you are doing skirts that are gored then you do the hem in the modern way by turning it up after doing the waist.

[@aaronlefay]

@@jameskellylondon2428 thank you for the advice 😊. Can’t wait to see what else you creat!

[@Ventura0404]

Just found you you do gorgeous gorgeous work but it would be so nice if you would show us some techniques I know that’s asking a lot

[@jameskellylondon2428]

What would you like to see?

[@Ventura0404]

@@jameskellylondon2428 How to cut patterns.. Any techniques you’re willing to share. Again your work is gorgeous. Wanting to learn more than just what a basic pattern teaches you. Thank you for replying so quickly. From way across the pond Texas

[@jameskellylondon2428]

@@Ventura0404 you can see me doing some pattern cutting in my video making a 1940s dress

[@Ventura0404]

@@jameskellylondon2428 Yes sir but it is not explaining how to make that pattern. I think 99% of us are very interested in that. Either one could take a pattern and chop it all up but it’s the drafting part that I’m really interested in.

[@angeliccow]

I think we all know the feeling of losing that inspiration - congrats on finding a way back to finish it, my life is filled with UFO’s so old they will never fit

[@JeremyDearling]

Is there a pattern for this dress or anything because I'm making it for a school project

[@jameskellylondon2428]

@@JeremyDearling I'm afraid I don't sell any of my patterns

[@JeremyDearling]

@@jameskellylondon2428 oh ok well thank you for letting me know

[@angeliccow]

apparently rumor has it this dress ways upwards of 30lbs... do you think there is truth to that?

[@jameskellylondon2428]

i think that could be a combined weight of the crinoline, petticoat and dress. The petticoat that i made turned out to be quite weighty