Making your own wedding dress?

[acidcookie]

Has anyone sewn their own wedding dress? I am handy with my sewing machine and know how to sew. I've made some other things, maybe the most complicated being a vest. So I know what I'm doing but am no professional. So you think making a wedding dress is just too much trouble? I still have a year and some change before the wedding. I know it would certainly depend on the type of dress, of course. I'd like a halter style with a somewhat large skirt, but no train or anything.

[HisDaisy]

I am not sure about making your dress, but my mom did make mine. She is not a seamstress, but a good at sewing.
My suggestion would be to look at the patterns available and see if you think that you could make it. I was amazed the number of different wedding dress patterns out there. It took my mom a few months of working on it on and off to make mine.
My dress was a simple sleeveless gown, with a shear coat over the top. The dress was fairly easy for my mom to make. The coat was a little bit harder. The hardest thing for her to make was a petticoat ( the ones in the store were way too big for my dress, but it needed something under it).
We saved a lot of money by making it. I think that when all was said and done the dress cost about $150 plus my moms labor.

[acidcookie]

Oh, also wanted to add that I want a dress that is a far cry from white so my choices in the color I want are very limited, thus a partial motivation for making it myself.

[tbs727]

I think if you don't really want a wedding style dress then you could probably do it. Just choose a pattern that has simple lines and no terribly complicated tricks.

[cab54]

I made mine, but it was 30 years ago.

It was a winter wedding and the dress was white velvet, a simple A-line to the floor, with a slightly scooped neckline. Simple veil. It wasn't too bad, work wise. But if you like ornate dresses, ummm, it may take a while.

My sister (who IS a seamstress) made all of the bridesmaid dresses--she used to do weddings a lot--and gave me pointers on mine when I was stuck.

I would never do it again, in fact I'd elope.

[stinkbug]

I've been sewing for about 35 years, and no way would I attempt a wedding dress. I'm just too pciky and it would make me crazy because I'd know every mistake. If you're not looking for a traditional drees, I'd think you could find something in formal wear on deep discount that would work. I've sewn a LOT of clothes, but formal wear is a whole 'nother animal to me! The fabric is expensive and mistakes can be costly...

[fernykins]

My mother made mine.about 33 years ago..... It had 103 pieces........She use to drape the whole house is sheets so nothing would get dirty. It was beautiful. I was tiny then a size three. You know if you set your mind to it you can make yours.Just pick the one you like.
Fern

[sunshine]

I didn't make mine, but I've made a couple of wedding dresses. . . if you think it's something you'd really like to do -- pick out your pattern , and make at least the top, in a cheap material -- to make sure you can do it -- and get the shaping right, etc. Do it soon, so you can go another route if necessary.

[sdrjeolsen]

I made mine 22 years ago, and it was a lot of fun. It took a lot of patience and work, but I had so many compliments on it from people who had no clue it was handmade, that made it extra special.

My folks couldn't afford the money for a nice gown and I couldn't find one I liked within the price range they set, so I made it. I was 19 at the time, so you can do it. Just follow the instructions and don't go with anything too complicated.

[acidcookie]

If you're not looking for a traditional drees, I'd think you could find something in formal wear on deep discount that would work.

Yeah, that's where I've been looking, like prom dresses and quinceanera dresses and other ballgowns. But when it's white you want it's everywhere, but when it's one specific color I want (red) out of all available colors, it's surprisingly limiting. From each store/collection I may find one red dress but it's not necessarily a style I want.

This is the best I found, but it retails $700-800:
http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.a...=8&style=S5090
But I don't necessarily even love that style the most for myself (I'd like a halter style dress).

Anyhow, this was only partial motivation for this. I also like projects and challenges, but wanted to see if this was TOO much of a project.

Thanks for the advice thus far.

[PrairieRose]

You know what? I say if you're of a mind to try it......go for it. I'd make it in a much cheaper fabric first time out. If I 'got it right' I'd jump off and do it. Since you're not wanting something with lots of intricate beading and lots and lots of pleats I'd say you can probably do it without too much trouble. If you made it with cheap fabric and got a great fit then you could have a lot of confidence in doing it. I think it would be really special to have made your own . Jmho. Either way, have fun.

[wanderinggrandma]

If you want to make your dress and have someone to ask for technical help--do it!! I didn't make mine, but I sure have sewn a lot of brides maid dresses.

The only thing I would stress is start very early, don't wait until 6 weeks before the big day. A dear friend was hand stitching the bound button holes that went from high neckline to hem the day before the wedding. Her future MIL was having kittens and also helping with the project.

I bet you will look stunning in a red halter dress!!

[Frugal Nurse]

I made my own wedding dress- but I went to school for Clothing Arts and Design.. prior to my real paying profession.
We were taught to make the dress in muslin first- fit it properly- then carefully take apart the muslin and use as the pattern.

You'll need another person to fit for you. There are lots of books out there for fitting. From easy to hard.

If you can follow a recipe... you can follow a pattern.

LOVE THE RED!!!! you vixon!

Something like that dress... is basically a skirt, or several layers of a skirt. The pattern directions will teach you how to make french seams for the chiffon. (actually, french seams all around the skirts would be a nice finish)

The top would be involved somewhat. Depending on how ornate you want it... and how many pieces.. etc. But.. it seems easy enough.. (vest like) to pull off.

Are you familiar with "Boning"? you'll need to put that into the bodice to hold it up. (think of flexible chopsticks sewn into a fabric piece that is then sewn into the seams.)

And one final note. The women in the wedding department of your local fabric store.... are more than happy to help you... should you come across a particularly perplexing section of the dress.


So don't be afraid to ask... ESPECIALLY if you bought the material from them.

Also, there are lots of web sites that demonstrate how to make a certain seam..... like 'making a narrow hem on sheer fabric' etc. You have a lot of resources... go for it!


And ask ask ask for outside opinions.
How would you have even known that a skirt like that has a specific narrow hem that can be very easily done in this tried and true fashion (non-homemade-look) that only someone with a gazillion years of experience would know about?

[Ceashels]

If you have a pattern you like, buy it, buy practice material and walk yourself thru the process of making the gown. I practiced 4 times before cutting the fabric for my gown. It let me work out the problem areas I had and helped me learn what to expect from the pattern. When I made my final version for the big day it was enjoyable because I wasn't stressed about making sure things were fitting right.
Good luck.

[happimommi]

If you have never made a dress before, I would suggest getting a pattern for a halter style sundress and trying that first. If that goes well, then start on your wedding dress.