The Breathe Dress from Ever After | the making of, part I

Hello everyone and welcome to a new video!
Have you watched Ever After (1998) with Drew Barrymore? Have you always dreamed of wearing the dress from the Just Breathe moment? ME TOO.
This has been in the works for a while. I started the work on this dress two years ago, and it's been a WIP ever since. I worked on it seldom and randomly (it's hard to get motivated when the finish line is so far away). But! I am hoping to start devoting more attention to it in the New Year and I definitely think filming it will help me stick to finish it.
This video is Part I and includes: plans, fabrics and trims, embroidery and tambour of the skirt. But as you saw in the video, I had a surprise when finding the rest of the skirt panels so.... yeah.
Any materials that I can track down and are still available for purchase I will link to in a special wrap up post in my Patreon. I hope to have more progress on this soon!
If you are interested in seeing some more of my work, here are some links:
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[@frank7411]

Ever After is the best Cinderella movie ever! The costumes are amazing.

[@emolorin1070]

You may have been told this before, but in cross-stitch circles that metallic DMC thread is known universally as "the devil's ass hair"! So you are not alone in struggling with it and thinking it SUCKS. I love your embroidery work so much, it looks exquisite, and I'm so excited to see where this project takes you

[@TheMetatronGirl]

My favorite dress from that movie! When you discovered there were actually 6 panels, I so wanted to give you a hug. I know that feeling. Anyone who sees that dress is going to ask where you got the embroidered fabric...when you tell them you did it by hand, it’s going to blow their minds.

[@CatsCostumery]

there are five minutes of footage I cut out of me staring at the camera, counting the panels over and over again 😂

[@deannastevens1217]

Hallelujah!!!

[@connorjameson3152]

i dont mean to be off topic but does anyone know a way to get back into an instagram account..? I somehow forgot the password. I would love any help you can give me

[@ianjuelz2763]

@Connor Jameson instablaster :)

[@connorjameson3152]

@Ian Juelz thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and I'm in the hacking process now. Takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@TudorositiesbyMaureen]

Those embroidered panels are just lovely, what commitment to a project. Split stitch is one of my favorite stitches. The metallic threads work best with some bees wax, its the only way I got the DMC to behave.

[@annahill99]

Probably my favorite movie costume of all time, I would straight up wear it as a wedding dress

[@caithemburrow5569]

Isn’t it supposed to be a wedding dress anyway?!

[@kaceepaludi418]

It is a wedding dress

[@rebeccafrazier4047]

I’m trying to find it for my wedding 🤩

[@calicolyon]

Best version of Cinderella ❤️❤️

[@MichelleB_96]

I remember when this movie came out in the theater, I went to late show with one of my friends. After it was over, we were both just dazed, it was so good! And we were taking a bit to come back to reality. She turned to me and said, do you want to see it again? YES! We turned around and walked back into the movie theater and watched it again. I've never had that happen with another movie in my life. LOVE!

[@DavidCollinsRivera]

Cat, can I say? I'm GREATLY enjoying this style of video-making, where you appear on camera and talk to us, as opposed to exclusively narrating over the imagery. Both are valid approaches, but you have such a fun, bubbly personality, it's a downright pleasure to watch you talk about what it is you're doing.

[@kimlightfoot]

The true beauty of hand embroidery, is it is imprecise. for precise embroider, just stuff the fabric into an embroidery machine. The imperfections of the stitches makes it most beautiful. Even the differences in the threads helps to make this gowns embroidery exceptional

[@trulytart3534]

This is the movie that got me into historical costuming. I have always lusted after the dresses of her step-sisters, especially Marguerite's velvet dress. No matter what era I dive into,, I always come back to the Italian Renaissance.. I can't wait to see your progress!

[@laniinla2354]

Here faster than Angelica Huston can raise an eyebrow.

[@juliewilliamson6130]

Hahaha!! Best comment!!

[@Blackoreanfemale]

🤣

[@katherinemorelle7115]

This makes me so happy, you’ve no idea. Ever After is the best live action Cinderella movie. Actually, it is THE best Cinderella movie. Period. It’s just magical.

[@4MaryJaneInsane]

Oh gosh, this really must have taken an eternity!!! Great that you picked it up after some time :)

[@julieroyce4497]

Such patience - but the reward is how beautiful it is!

[@lindabloom6666]

The embroidery is breathtaking

[@preciouspaws2]

This dress is on my "one day I'll get around to it" list of dream projects. I love listening to your process and love that you are taking your time with it. I can't imagine being able to do this "quickly". I'm sure the costume department had a team of people working on it. You've inspired me to start sourcing materials little by little. The last time I tried shopping for the items needed for the project the price tag quickly skyrocketed and I quickly halted the project hahaha. I'm looking forward to the next step in your process. Best of luck!

[@ClaireCambridge]

Instant follow I used to watch this movie over and over and draw the costumes

[@michellecornum5856]

Aw! I felt you when you discovered you had TWO panels left to do. (sob) This looks so amazing thus far, SO MUCH HANDWORK!!!! You're nearly there!!! Stay well, Cat, and keep going.

[@delphiniumreads3063]

OH MY GOSH I GASPED WHEN I SAW THIS IN MY FEED. So excited to watch! This is my favorite dress of all time!!!! Well... tied one or two others maybe? BUT definitely longest-adored on that list!!!!!

[@MaryReadsToLive]

This movie was so influential to my teenage years. Yes I am aging myself lol. I loved it so much and I am so rooting for you to finish this iconic dress one day!

[@Eowyn3Pride]

Ok...so after seeing that amazing embroidery work for the train...that you are at least half Elven...Quenyan high Elven...WOOOW! Amazing!😳🤯🥰💐😁🍻

[@kyradavis8727]

Enjoy the movie but not that moment. Love the costume . The blue dress and the dress she wore to court the first time are my other favorite customs.

[@skeinofadifferentcolor2090]

Girl! That embroidery is goals! I'm a crochet artist, knit twit on the side, and beginning sewist, and I cannot help but appreciate the detail and consistency in your hand embroidery. It's stunning thus far! I cannot wait to see the finished product as Ever After is one of my four all time movies favorites from my childhood. It would be an epic tribute to a movie that has etched itself into so many people's hearts in such an endearing way.

[@dianmoffatt9915]

Oh Wow! Your precision of embroidery is exquisite!

[@kimlightfoot]

A quick and easy way to deal with the ending threads, is to do a backstitch through just the threads of the embroidery on the back. Basically running the threads through each other. but with backstitches tossed in every few stitches. They will never unravel. Do your knot first, then run the tail down about an inch. And you can cut it closer to the fabric, not leaving any free ends to get caught in anything.

[@kimlightfoot]

That embroidery on the skirt, is extraordinary! Wow, where would you ever wear a couture gown such as this. It is simply too extra to just wear as a costume gown

[@amandamarquart2047]

So excited for you tackle another dream dress project! I think it’s dressed in time that has made a fully adjustable embroidery frame out of stuff from her local hardware store. You seem to be getting on just fine, but in case you were looking for an alternative. The embroidery is beautiful. Can’t wait to see more installments in this series 💕🧵🪡

Holy cow, that embroidery is incredible!

[@ashleejones1690]

Let me tell you how much I love this movie.... When it came out, I was in a period of my life where I DESPISED Drew Barrymore. I couldn't stand something about the way she talks, and she was just in friggin everything back then. In spite of that, this became one of my favorite movies. It was beautiful to look at, it was fun, it had Angelica Huston, and then...THE DRESS. I applaud this undertaking and wish you the best of luck with those two extra panels (ouch)! Also, that's great advice to not be too hard on yourself with worrying about things not being perfect. 💜

[@cindys6775]

I love this. Ever After is one of my favorite movies and the last movie I watched with my sister before she died.

[@kimlightfoot]

As someone who loves hand embroidery so much. and does it myself. I can absolutely appreciate how long embroidering these panels would take. Literally hours and hours of just hand sewing. Wow. Incredible

[@angelavonborstel185]

The embroidery on the skirt is stunning!

[@brittamai5367]

The embroidery!!! I am in love with it!

[@jenybethcookie]

I remember seeing Ever After in the movie theater; it's one of my favorite movies and the Breathe dress is a dream. The work you have done so far looks amazing!

[@Foxiefoxfox]

I can relate to the embroidery struggles so much! I've been embroidering on an Elizabeth Swann pirate king cosplay for three years now, slowly slowly, one stitch at a time and constantly battling unruly thread. But getting there! I can't wait to see more of your project! The shiny silver embroidery is *chef's kiss*

[@CatsCostumery]

that is *such* a cool costume, it's gonna be so great!

[@Foxiefoxfox]

@@CatsCostumery ❤️ I will be a badass sparkly pirate! ✨

[@CandycaneLane999]

Your doing an excellent job! I swear metallic thread was sent to us by the devil himself, it's a real bugger to work with, but soooooo pretty in the end

[@KatjaMairiBroge]

Oh my goodness!!! I was literally watching it the other day and was like... I want to make a nightgown inspired by that dress....or you know-just wear it everywhere 😂😂😂 my favorite Cinderella ever, by far.

[@lizzoneangel1720]

The trims are soooo lovely - I’m jealous

[@MsDeepAndDark]

So, slightly less daunting than The Peacock Dress, hehe 😅

[@sorelyanlie2784]

I was literally just thinking: oh, so this is essentially cat's peacock dress.

[@emmavoels2]

I just watched Ever After the other night. Thank you for showing me the way to starting my own Just Breath dress.

[@SimpleDesertRose]

I feel so old now. I remember watching Everafter when I was 2o! I drooled over this dress day and night wishing I could make something this amazing. But as life moved on the babies came and there dress was forgotten. Until now! I admire your determination to hand embroider this dress. I think after a certain point I would hire one of my designer friends to run the embroidery through one of their embroidery machines, the hand attach each pearl afterwards. You my dear are totally hard core. Might I suggest adding some fabric to your hoop bars and doing a quick basing stitch to your fabric to help hold it tight? Also try some either tear away or wash away stabilizer. It might help with tension as well. I have been doing embroidery off and on since I was 11 and for me it makes all the difference for the slippery fabrics. It might help you out. Good luck to you on it. Just keep plugging away at it a little at a time and eventually you will finish. I watched a video about just 15 minutes everyday to help keep from burning out. I think it was a Costube video. Anyways I look forward to seeing your progress. ❤

[@silvergypsylady]

This is going to be gorgeous when you get it finished. I'm salivating over those laces and trims. I'm excited to see it finished.

[@kimlightfoot]

I have been gifted with keeping tension easily. so I embroider without frames. And it is so much nicer, as I do it all from the top, until I hide all my threads. Even when I travel my thread from bits to bits, I travel through previous stitches, so as not to have long loose threads. Also, for your frame. A Piece of felt at the rollers, will definitely help keep the tension of the fabric.

[@agimagi2158]

Oh my god, so much embroidery! Kudos to your patience, the finished panels look so beautiful, it is really unbelievable, that it is all done by HAND! Like awesome as hand sewing , embroidery etc. is, the amount still suuper scary!

[@patrickmartinez561]

*Immediately watches the film after watching this! 🤍🤍🤍

[@twfare4]

Yes finally stone isaking this. I am soooo excited to see this. You are the best!

[@historicalgarb8790]

AHHHHHHH I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS! It’s my favorite movie!!

[@talitjiang]

glorious! tambour takes a lot of getting used to. I feel you with working with dmc threads. My embroidery teacher told me to go up a hook size on my tambour hook. So not the fine one for beading the medium thick one, it takes dmc threads wayy more smooth

[@misswazzra]

That grey wool is really gorgeous!

[@misswazzra]

Not sure how it jumped to commenting here - this comment was meant for your Dark Academia dress 🤣🤣🤣

[@gilltaber2187]

Fascinating to watch the embroidery and it was gorgeous

[@McNerdyCostumesandProps]

Holy cow!!! That embroidery is amazing!

[@thelmabirt7626]

Your handwork is OUTSTANDING! Amazing! I LOVE this movie, watched it on a vhs tape so much the tape stretched out and broke. So when I found it on DVD I had to have it. You are a true v artist gurl! Love your vids and your craftsmanship. So jealous!!

[@rachelfloyd5865]

Oh my!!! I am going to love seeing this project through! Love your embroidery! So creative and beautiful!!!

[@magicaltreefarm]

This is on my to make list and it is so amazing to watch you go through your process for making this dress!! Keep up the good work....it looks amazing already!

[@fabioferreiragomes]

.......ESPETACULAR.......MARAVILHOSA.....INCRÍVEL........

[@MrCaRolMiLler]

My favorite movie. I always watch it when it's on. I alwaya wanted to make that dress. Maybe that dress was one of the reasons why I became obsessed with historical costuming (even thought that movie isn't historical). I have to start saving the images so that some day, I'll replicated it too. Sorry for some grammatical errors. I read more that I write in english. Love your videos and love from Portugal.

[@CatsCostumery]

muito obrigada!

[@aliloucreations1817]

Yes it WILL be finished, what beautiful work your patients is so incredible 😍😍 we will all be here waiting for more instalments well done for going back I find it very hard to do that ❤️❤️❤️

[@dee-annegordon5959]

That dress is going to be stunning when it's finished, however long that takes! Are you going to try to make the wings as well?

[@CatsCostumery]

I will surely try 😂

[@rebeccaa3541]

@@CatsCostumery I have actually made these wings before. The wire was made by shaping a thick wire and soldering the ends in place and hand then making a cover like a couch cover over it and hand sewing along tack points.

[@sEaSoNaLMiLk]

Ope, saw your dolphin fin at 6:56 🤣🤣 love that dang skirt!!

[@kjeracarroll450]

I love this dress!! Hey you are doing what works for you and it looks amazing!!

[@sourcedancer7079]

You remind me of myself 💚, similar brave ideas to 'just create the thing myself' when I can't find something that is up to my standards. So I feel you when you say it takes so. incredibly. long. Much hugs and love to you 😊, and much perseverance! It made me think of a different aspect of Dory: 'Just keep swimming.' and one day it'll be done 💚. And then it won't just be that beautiful dream dress. It's going to be an incredible and astounding proof of your dedication, passion and perseverance to see it through! You can do it!

[@thebookishhbookworm]

I love that you are making this dress! I've always wanted to make it! I did tons of research years ago but got so overwhelmed with it! I can't wait to see how your interpretation turns out!

[@meamela9820]

Very intriguing with such a big project! I wish the best of luck with it! About the skirt if you have no leftover fabric: I would use some fabric from the long hem to make an extra panel and instead of folding a big hem of that fabric, I would make the folded up hem-part (the part on the inside that nobody sees) out of another fabric, from the stash or so. Like a facing for the hem. If I understood the construction correclty, that may work? It just popped up in my head, so I thought I would write it if it helps.

[@vernika_z_lesu2771]

I literally saw this movie for the first time a few days ago and just fall in love with costumes. I hope to make this dress one day, it's the first costume from the movie that I really want to make. Also a new subscriber here)

[@Orinatl]

Omg this dress has been a design I’ve wanted to work into my wedding dress for as long as I can remember.

[@tanapi13]

Keep going you’re amazing 🤩 I trust you no matter how much time you need you have my mental support ♥️

[@stephalina]

Never have I ever clicked on a video so fast OMG I loved this movie growing up

[@zebraskin]

Omg I love this and can't wait to see it all come together. Ever After was a huge part of my teenage hood too, and I've been thinking of doing the red velvet dress or Anjelica' at the start of the movie. This might actually inspire me to finally start one of them. You did an amazing job on that embordiery! I too like to kinda self sabotage just cause I like doing them how they use to.

[@patriciakellyadams134]

There is a special tape called embroidery hoop tape you can buy from amazon or most cross stitch embroidery supply places... it is slightly tacky and grips the material beautifully. I have been using it for about 5 years. The tape does not leave any marks of any kind on the fabrics and the material stays put until you move it. A wrap of tape around the hoop lasts a long time until you need to put another wrap on. I usually get about a dozen or a dozen half uses out of one wrap. Definitely recommend it to keep your fabric tension taut on your hoops. It's made by a couple of manufacturers... I just look up embroidery hoop tape to find it. I haven't found a difference in quality between manufacturers. It is my must have to embroider, which I do everyday and I am doing as I watch you embroider on youtube.

[@BeverleyButterfly]

Ooh I’m excited for this project it will look stunning on you xx

[@sarahheri7027]

OMG!!! that embroidery!!! well done, crazy you

[@idrisa7909]

i like that the skirt embroidery looks a bit like fish scales (at least the tamboured part)

[@ErynFaith]

The year this movie came out I was a state officer for a masonic girls group. They required white dresses. I planned a dress with my mom that was simular to this. Empire waisted with puffy sleeves and gaunlets trimmed in silver and gold. I love this dress and still have it.

[@thejehanne]

You're doing great!! You can do this!!! It's looking amazing!!

[@BlackPearlTea]

I have no words

[@cashiewinston9995]

I saw this movie for my 13 birthday! This dress is right up there with the infamous ‘Sleepy Hollow striped gown’ for me. Can’t wait for the next instalment,

[@tracywillburn469]

Beautiful embroidery

[@elizabethmaelewis]

This has been on my "I want to make it" list since the late 90s. ❤❤

[@saritshull3909]

Btw Metallic thread (specifically the DMC skeins) is referred to as Satan's pubes in the embroidery community. Apparently, Kreinik is the best With this sort of rectangular frame, you can sew the fabric to both dowels and wind up the slack. I suppose you can use those clips as well on the edge of the fabric and then roll but they might make dents in the silk

[@Arabhorselver92]

This is one of my favorite movie dresses of all time! I'm excited to watch you make it!

[@angellover02171]

I've been waiting for someone to make this

[@conniemurdoch8528]

It really helps to wax and iron your dmc! It make your stitching look immeasurably better. When I do smocking, counted cross stitch or ribbon embroidery I wax the thread and iron it. The easiest way is to get a flat iron or a curling iron like the ones you use for your hair. Then you pull your thread through your beeswax, then pull it through the hot curling/flat iron. And pay attention to the grain. Believe it or not embroidery cotton has a grain. But I only worry about it to make sure that they are the same. So when you separate the strands, make sure to lay them side by side with the end you pulled from the skein at the same end when you put your strands back together with the wax. That’s what makes you floss not tangle and knot on you. Plus you can use longer strands if the thread is waxed and on grain. HTH.

[@janetclark8754]

that back panel embroidery is beautiful!!!!

[@iridescentdemon]

Ever after is one of my favorite comfort movies! And the costumes are so pretty it will be cool to see one recreated 😊

[@deannastevens1217]

WOW!!! Love the amazing details you are striving for!! Prayers and blessings.

[@patriciahamel5674]

Have you considered trying to tone the lace to make it closer to the right color? I think that soaking it in a heavily diluted purple dye might work to remove some of the brassy tones. It's like using a toner or purple shampoo to remove the brassy tones from blonde hair. It might be worth doing some experimenting with a few swatches.

[@Ceshini1]

😍😍😍 I am so excited to watch this. This is one of my most favorite movies...it's just the best! I know this is going to be great!

[@Gandellion]

OOOOH I love this dress

[@LauraSeeLauraDo13]

OMG I'm so excited that you're paid Gott suggested to me especially with this particular dress because I am such a die-hard huge fan of this movie that it makes me tear up with tears of joy to see somebody else that clearly just get this excited as I do thank you for making this video

[@susana0172]

I'm eager to follow along! I came across your video and started watching it because I also want to make this dress *eventually*. But as I listened to you I kept thinking "this accent reminds me of...something. Is she Portuguese?" I clicked on your IG and there it is =D

[@nataliexbrutality]

This makes me so happy 🥰 this has always been one of my favorite dresses of all time! So happy you’ve decided to tackle it.

[@ncalgal4699]

It's going to be absolutely awesome! Can't wait to see it finished.

[@laurabryan6938]

This dress is one of my dream dresses too

[@sunshowers186]

This is such a beautiful dress and I’d completely forgotten about it! Really must rewatch the movie soon, looking forward to following along your project.

[@darklymoonlit]

It's looking amazing! All the kudos for your hard work and determination. And now to go watch Ever After again...

[@Feelicitasy]

ohh, this is very exciting! I love your longer talking videos, they are the perfect crafting companion!

[@lauramcguire7970]

Oh I am so excited for this project!

[@susiecarson]

Can’t wait to watch this whole series. I’ve always loved this dress.

[@Moodas4]

This is super cool!

[@jenniferprice1036]

Get this girl a BabyLock embroidery machine like Sewstine has xD I'm SO excited for you on this project, this movie is one of my faves of all time and the costumes are just MM. So guud.

[@CatsCostumery]

PLEASE, I would love an embroidery machine 😂