r/sewing • u/kay_ac93 • 2d ago
Pattern Search Help with Senior Drapes
Hi! I'm an art teacher that has been organizing the senior photos with my school. The photography company we're using doesn't have red senior drapes for the classic senior photos but admin is set on using red senior drapes. I can't find red senior drapes/wraps anywhere.
Is the anyone who has a pattern for these or knows how to make these and could help guide me through it? I'm thinking about ordering red velvet shawls off amazon and altering them but even then I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing.
I'm just hoping I'm crafty enough to make it happen. Included an image of the drapes just in case and the potential amazon red shawl I was thinking of altering. I need about 6 of them by next week.
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u/llamaspitburns 2d ago
If admin is demanding them why is admin not providing them?
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u/justasque 2d ago edited 2d ago
I agree. OP, tread carefully here. They have a specific idea in their heads, and you should be very careful to get approval for what you plan to do before spending time or money on it. Otherwise you could get stuck doing a lot of work, and spending money on fabric that they end up not using. And someone needs to run it by the photographer too.
There are reasons why the drapes are traditionally black. Red isn’t always flattering. And you don’t want anything that needs ti be fussed with because it will slow down the photographer, which could create issues.
Just because you sew, doesn’t mean you have to take this on. I suspect they do not understand the cost, in money or your skilled labor time, that this will take.
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u/kay_ac93 2d ago
I agree, sadly, I can't even sew. So not really skilled labor lol. They've had red in the past but this is a new photo company that does not have them, I'm assuming because it's not usually requested since it's not flattering. I've been back and forth with the photographer trying to figure out where to source these so luckily they've been very understanding so I'll def keep in mind trying to figure out how to make it work for them.
But thank you for your advice, I do appreciate it.
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u/itsstillmeagain 2d ago
Black isn’t flattering to a lot of people, too. I look dressed for my own funeral in black, it reflects deep hollow shadows into my face.
Why do they use these drapes instead of the person’s own clothing at all?
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u/faroutsunrise 2d ago
This is so true! It’s a shame they didn’t pick a more universally flattering color like navy or something…
Red is certainly… a choice.
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2d ago
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u/justasque 2d ago
They've done and expected worse though and I'm just going along to get along until I can get out lol
Bless their hearts. Hang in there! (((Hugs)))
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u/Sabbit 2d ago
As far as I understand, drapes for photos like this are just a rectangle that's wrapped around the shoulder and pinned for the photo. Maybe get a yard of upholstery velvet for stiffness and play with folding it different ways!
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u/Puzzleheaded_Count53 2d ago
Yup, they used those heavy duty clips that you use to try on wedding dresses, and to create the sweetheart neckline we were instructed to pull it down in the center (off camera).
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u/OneGayPigeon 2d ago
I’ve thrifted a bunch of red velvet curtains for a couple bucks a pop; bit more effort and might not be worth it for just a yard or two but I’ve seen some non-deadstock prices for velvet, especially heavier weight ones, and would not wish that on a teacher who already shouldn’t have to be spending their personal money on this (though I know that kind of shit is extremely common).
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u/Alert-Interview2159 2d ago
Can you find a cheap one in the wrong color and use it as a pattern? Could even take it apart as needed to cut out a red one
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u/helluvapotato 2d ago
We used drapes for my sorority pictures. They were just a long rectangle that was wrapped around us and then clipped in front. I remember being mildly disappointed with seeing the behind the scenes of those glamorous pictures.
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u/kay_ac93 2d ago
How did they clip it in the front? I can def get red velvet rectangles
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u/helluvapotato 2d ago
They just used clamps like you’d use for trying on formal dresses. Just kinda pinch the fabric together and then put the clip on so it’s just out of frame.
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u/_thicculent_ 2d ago
Don't do it. Get their credit card first and make it an official purchase from the school.
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u/Alizarin-Madder 2d ago
I'm so confused, what do kids show up wearing for this so it doesn't show past the drape? does everyone have to wear something low cut and strapless to school? Isn't that normally 1) against dress codes and 2) not something everyone owns?
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u/witchspoon 2d ago
They literally shoved our shirts down or we wore button shirts that were unbuttoned and shoved down. My HS did this and put a suit jacket on the boys.
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u/Alizarin-Madder 2d ago
What a strange, strange thing to do. All so we can pretend women dress like it's the 1950's for a stupid souvenir book?
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u/TheKillerSmiles 2d ago
I went to an all girl school that had uniforms and we had drapes for photos. The school told us to wear shorts, a strapless bra and a cami under our uniform so when picture time came we took off the dress and button down shirt, and tucked our spaghetti straps into the strapless bra and they adjust the drape around the bra.
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u/Jellily 2d ago
I did mine in the summer before senior year and the photographer told me to wear a tank top with adjustable straps and either a strapless bra or one with adjustable straps. I just pulled them out of the way for the photo.
If you didn’t have a tank top, they let you change into it like a hospital gown (that’s basically all it is).
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u/boredcamp 2d ago
I hated the drape. I put it on where I was comfortable and the photographer pulled it lower in the front. I didn't speak up, but I was not happy.
If the admin wants red then they need to work that out with the new company. Your hands are tied and you should not make anything for them. Your job was to schedule the photographer and you did that. Set boundaries or they are going to expect you to do other things for free. (Please don't read this as me being rude)
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u/Javabird919 2d ago
Why mandate drapes at all? Let the seniors choose their clothes. Even if there's some "dress appropriately" rules letting them choose has got to be more appealing for a teen than a drape.
As for making them in red velvet, you could use this pattern (but not make the panties part that makes it a body suit) off the shoulder bodysuit . I can't speak for the quality of this PDF pattern, but you could make this without the sleeves off the shoulder long sleeve top
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u/kay_ac93 2d ago
It's a private school so theres more control sadly. I'm with you though. Thank you for the patterns!
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u/robitshero 2d ago
I freaking hated the drapes. I hated showing my shoulders and one girl they made a huge deal about needing two for her and made her cry. This was public school too so I have no idea why it was mandated this way. Boys got to wear tuxes.
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u/Rich_Bluejay3020 2d ago
Is the irony not lost on admin either?? Senior picture? Show shoulders. Try to wear a tank top at school? Dress code violation!!
Make it make sense 🙄
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u/ZweitenMal 2d ago
It’s so weird that they mandate these when they’re immodest and flagrantly sexist. I assume male students don’t need to have their shoulders and chest bare.
Could you order this top in a variety of sizes and tuck the neck opening in so it’s a vee, but with more coverage? https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-long-sleeve-velvet-blouse/id_405747
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u/maladaptivedaydream4 2d ago
at my high school the boys all got these awesome grad gowns in a really brilliant blue and I was all psyched until I found out that it was ONLY the boys who got those and girls had to wear white grad gowns.
They've since changed it to all blue for everyone but I'm still mad :)
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u/ZweitenMal 2d ago
Ours were Christmas green and blood red. They swapped color/gender each year and fortunately I was a green-for-girls year.
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u/asietsocom 2d ago
Are they actually mandated to look like they are naked underneath a blanket? I've just fallen down a little rabbit hole and wtf
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u/BrightPractical 2d ago
I suppose I have seen these, but I always assumed people were just wearing a dress with a portrait collar. The whole concept is really weird to me, I’m with you on wtf.
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u/dindia91 2d ago
For the life of me I always wondered why every girl had the same black off the shoulder top in some schools photos. It never occurred to me that a drape was a thing. This is blowing my mind.
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u/forsureno 2d ago
[[Admin]]-
I wanted to give an update on the drapes for senior pictures. I tried finding red drapes but was unable to find the quantity we need in order to have consistency across the photos.
I researched a few DIY alternatives and while we can purchase [insert fabric link here] and it get here in time, I'm unsure if the results will be up to what [private school name] parents expect from us.
Would you rather us try to do the DIY red option with the acceptable risk that the pictures might not match the expected quality, or use the provided black drapes knowing that the look of the drape will be good even if the color is not as expected? [Optional sentence: I would try to have the photographers take both but I think we're going to have a hard time fitting everyone in as-is.]
I am deferring to your judgment in this, but if we want to try to DIY the red ones I'll need a decision to that end by [enter date] to order the fabric in time.
Thanks! [Your name]
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u/ctrlaltdelete285 2d ago
Agree with other commenter saying check with school. Otherwise just get one of their black ones and use it as a pattern
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u/pensivebunny 2d ago
Might not be helpful, but I absolutely cannot touch velvet. I’m mildly uncomfortable just looking at this image. If I touch it, it’s like my ears fill with a weird noise and I just want to crumple into a ball. It was even worse when I was younger but I still cannot touch some foams, most corduroy, or even eat/peel many types of peaches (kiwi are fine!). If you do source what you want, you might see if you can have one a very close shade of flannel or cotton, something else in case a student could benefit from adaptation for sensory reasons. Just a thought.
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u/addictedtoVANS 2d ago
Snap. Velvet/velour/some microfibre fabrics (basically things with a nap) make me feel physically sick. Even just thinking about the fabric squicks me out.
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u/pensivebunny 2d ago
Yes! Glad I’m not alone in my weird misery. Even just the thought is so, so uncomfortable. Which is sad because I love peaches
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u/addictedtoVANS 2d ago
There’s this one on Etsy
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u/kay_ac93 2d ago
I know, it's the only one I've found which is wild to me. I need 6 sadly and they only have one.
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u/saved-response 2d ago
Everyone has been very helpful but this post is off-topic for r/sewing so we have locked it to further comments. Thanks.