Monday, May 4, 2009

And so begins the wedding dress saga

With only 4 1/2 months to go until the big day, it's time for me to get crackin' on this gown. I've made wedding dresses and all kinds of other gowns before, but somehow since this is mine I'm finding myself kind of paralyzed with fear and uncertainty. Here is what I'm basing my dress off of:

I found this in a bridal magazine almost a year before we got engaged and I just knew that it was the one. Don't worry, I said the same thing about the guy too!
I am planning on making some changes to the design, but on the whole, this is the look. I have no idea what the back of this looks like, but I'm planning on a slight V for the back, I'm thinking just below bra level with little silk buttons down the back.
I'll be omitting that tucked/pulled up nonsense in the skirt. My skirt will be just silk dupioni but other than that I have no real ideas on the detailing. I am super excited about the big skirt! And believe you me, I plan on a hefty train with some amazing bustling action. I am, as yet, undecided on how I want the skirt attached to the bodice. I am definately going with a dropped waist, since I need all the help I can get in the waist elongating department. My options are a smooth insertion, gathers or pleating. I feel that gathers tend to look sloppy, but I am leaning pretty heavily towards the pleats.
I have a beautiful ivory lace with little pearls for the over bodice that a friend gave me and a heavenly ivory silk dupioni from Thai Silks for the underbodice and the skirt. My aunt, at who's house we're getting married, gave me her wedding gown (she only has sons) to do with as I pleased. I have scavenged just about every piece of lace applique off of it that I could and I'm thinking it will blend in nicely with the other lace. I'll also be using the skirt of her gown as the pattern for mine. It's the same shape that I'm going for, but I won't be repeating the waist gathers that her's had.
Jim's out of town for the next two weeks or so, and although I'll miss him dearly, I plan to use the time to my advantage. My goal: to have a completed mockup of the entire dress and be ready to cut the real deal by the time he comes home. Wish me luck!

1 comment:

  1. Wow! I love the bodice and neckline. I saw your post on patternreview formal wear board --- I'm also making my wedding dress(es) (Pre-wedding event August 23rd, Wedding Sept 6th), but I've only been sewing just over a year, so mine is rather simple.
    http://sarahs-shnaderay.blogspot.com/

    I just bought the fabric this week from Thai silks -- so lucky to have such a place nearby.

    Just added your blog to my reader, I'll be keen to watch your progress, good luck!

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