Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Wedding Dress Adventure: Chapter One

I realize what I'm in for.
A few weeks ago, I announced my daughter wanted me to make her wedding dress.  At the end of that post, I wrote:

"So, if anyone has any advice, tips, sources and resources, stimulants, sedatives or liquor, please share!"

 At that time I was sort of kidding.  Now I'm serious. I will definitely need stimulants, sedatives or liquor.

The wedding gown selection offered by the Big Four is poor – very poor.   But Neue Mode had a large selection of formal gowns and wedding gowns and Lindsey chose two patterns she wants merged into her gown.  Both designs are simple and I felt reasonably confident about the process.  After all, I have a 50% off coupon I intend to use on a whole bolt of muslin.  But, I have absolutely no experience with Neue Mode pattens and I panicked when the patterns I ordered arrived without instructions.  I was afraid Neue Mode was like Marfy and I'd have to make a wedding gown with no instructions.  I raced to the website and found out I could download and print the instructions.  First crisis averted.

Lindsey came home last weekend for my birthday, so we went to Fabric Row, not to buy anything, but to make some fabric decisions. One of the things that frightened me about sewing a wedding gown was sewing lace.  Guess what?  She wants a satin gown with a lace overlay.  I admit, I loved the embroidered lace with beads and sequins, but the price made my eyes pop out.  Oh well, I only have one daughter and she gets married only once.  We spent a lovely day looking at fabric and making plans.  After we got home, I went online and found out the store in which we found the biggest selection of beautiful laces was destroyed by fire about 30 minutes after we left.

So, the Wedding Dress Adventure began momentously.  I have major design changes using a pattern company I have never, ever used before.  Ever.   The store that had the lace I loved burned and will probably not reopen.  It's a good thing I have a whole year for this project.  Looks like I'm going to need it.


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15 comments:

  1. Faye LewisApril 10, 2013 at 8:33 PM

    I know you can do it! That bolt of muslin will become your very best friend.

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  2. LoriApril 10, 2013 at 9:31 PM

    You can do this Elaray and it will be gorgeous.

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  3. Nancy KApril 10, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    Come on up to NYC to look for lace; probably the best selection anywhere. That's really kind of bizarre

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    1. ElarayApril 11, 2013 at 5:24 AM

      I do plan to visit NYC. Once positive aspect of this project will be looking at luxury fabrics!

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  4. Nancy KApril 10, 2013 at 10:22 PM

    Sorry but that last comment posted accidentally before I was finished. I meant to say, what a bizarre occurance. Hopefully the rest of your experience will go more smoothly.

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  5. Marie-NoëlleApril 11, 2013 at 4:12 AM

    I will follow your journey through the making of the dress. I am making one at the moment and have almost finished it. I started it in tne end of december. I haven't blogged about it because I don't want anybody to see it until the d day.
    All I can say is that it involves a lot of problems solvings and decisions makings and not always the ones that you expected.
    I wish you good luke and I am sure you will make it.

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    Replies
    1. ElarayApril 11, 2013 at 5:30 AM

      Thanks for the encouragement. The wedding is next April and I'll need every bit of that time to address the issues you've mentioned.

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  6. BeckyApril 11, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    Wow, that's crazy about the lace store!

    I don't know if I mentioned it before, but if you haven't picked it up, get a copy of Susan Khalje's Bridal Couture. It's out of print but available as a pdf file on cd through her website. There's a whole chapter in there about dealing with various types of laces, how to sew them, etc. The lace I ended up using for my own wedding dress probably wasn't quite the "fine" lace she was talking about, since it had huge patches of net between the motifs and was really lightweight overall, but I couldn't resist the pattern! And her advice about motif matching and applique seams and all that was still invaluable.

    Good luck! I'm sure you'll turn out something beautiful. :)

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  7. BeckyApril 11, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    And I just clicked back and saw that you have the Bridal Couture book. Oops. But I'm glad, because it sounds like you'll need it for the style she wants!

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  8. BootzeyApril 11, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Investigate vintage wedding dress patterns. There is probably something in the past that you two will like

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  9. DawnSSLApril 11, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    You have so much more experience than I do and I was able to make my cousin's gown last year around this time(I only had less than three months). I am routing for you!

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  10. AnonymousApril 11, 2013 at 4:09 PM

    Lee, this will be a challenge I know - you are braver than I am. I wish you well with this and know we will all be with you and cheering you on. Karen Teel

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  11. MelodyeApril 11, 2013 at 8:04 PM

    You can do it! You are a patient and meticulous sewist. You've given yourself enough time. Remember to breathe and enjoy this. You're doing it for your beloved daughter and she'll be pleased.

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  12. JenniferApril 15, 2013 at 7:27 AM

    You can do it. The dress will be beautiful

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  13. sunnyApril 15, 2013 at 11:30 PM

    Luv the animation, too funny!
    Good luck with the dress and all the drama that goes along with it..LOL
    I'm sure it'll be perfect!

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