Wedding Gown Creation...a NEW Beginning

Scratch that design from January...when we went to the local independent Bridal shop a few weeks ago, my daughter fell in love with an ALL LACE gown! It was a gown made of what appeared to be almost a Cluny type of horizontal effect lace rows. Of course, I cautioned her that we probably could NOT find that exact lace! Also, on that excursion - she saw the slenderizing effect of a princess style and a fuller skirt that could create the look of a VERY cinched in waistline.


Then - we planned a Saturday to scour the fabric sources in Chicago (Vogue Fabrics, Fishman's and Supreme) and came up with just one lace - at Vogue in Evanston (where Dale was exceedingly nice and helpful by the way...). It is pictured below...

The embroidery on the off-white background net is a soft taupe color. You can see here where I laid my pink journal below the off-white silk doupionni and the faint pink cast it yields. That is what we're going for - we THINK. The wedding colors are pink-coral and green. (Never mind that the darlin' just HAD to move from the bedroom with PINK blinds to another because she hated the pink so much...just had to add that tidbit! ) Oh, how we gain in wisdom as we age...

Anyway - we both just love this different lace, and it was a VERY GOOD THING that i had taken the time to make a quick mock-up of the gown in red dot tracer (nicely shows the body,fullness, drape (lack of) of the skirt on this pattern, and took it along shopping with us. There was just a bit over 4 yards of this double edged lace. That's ALL. But, it seems - since the direction of the motif is vague - and would never be seen if I flip the pattern pieces to get the border all around the bottom - that I can get it to work. I'll just have to add a flattering empire line so the laces' width will be enough for the skirt - and I also have to take about 2" width from each of the skirt pieces. We bought the bouffant bridal slip, and she has her long line bra and SPANX. Now - just to find the shoes (without spending an obscene amount of money - which my wonderful shopper daughter will NOT do) - and we're set to get going.

With the help of my friend and neighbor and bridal etalier' Tina Colombo http://www.treasures-by-tina.com/ , we decided on a silk taffeta in ivory for the base fabric. I found several potential pink cotton batistes at http://www.farmhousefabrics.com%20c/which I ordered half yards of for 'auditioning' our idea. Tina also helped me realize that the skirt will have better 'movement' if I do the lace separate from the dress for the seams and the hem.

By the way - our pattern is Vogue 1095 - without all those ruffles, higher at the neckline so not to be so revealing, AND even I've talked her into straps of some type with the lace edging - IF we have enough edging to spare.

Though I love designing my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets, silk and lace will be welcome change.

Can't wait to get started - follow along, and comment, please.