I’m Engaged and Going to Make My Own Wedding Dress!
I have been sitting on some exciting news for over a month now, but it’s time to announce that Matt and I have gotten engaged! He proposed in the most amazing and perfect way, in my garden, at dusk, with a ring attached to a garden gnome. It was a beautiful Friday evening and he lured me out to the garden, under the guise of picking snap peas for a salad. He even had champagne hidden behind one of the feed troughs, for when I inevitably said yes.
After a few days of simply relishing the moment, we started talking details. One of the first things that came to my mind was that I would like to make my own wedding dress. I have been reading the blog ‘So, Zo.. What do you know for awhile now and remembered seeing that she had made her own wedding dress. After getting engaged, I scoured her wedding posts and I liked how she asked her readers for advice on picking her dress design. It inspired me to do the same, thus the public announcement.
She even made a “waistcoat” (I am assuming that what Brits call vests) for her husband-to-be. I asked Matt if he wanted me to make him something and he said it brought to mind the episode of the Cosby Show where Denise makes Theo a shirt. If you don’t remember the episode, watch this Youtube video. I think it was Matt’s way of politely declining my offer.
I’m okay with that, since the thought of making my own wedding dress seems daunting enough. And yes, I want Matt to look nice as well.
Here’s what I know for sure, I don’t want anything super formal. I am thinking knee-length and vintage inspired (50s or 60s). I absolutely love the dress that Elsie of A Beautiful Mess wore at her wedding. In fact, I adore her whole wedding and want to copy the whole thing.
We aren’t getting married until next Summer, so I have a year to make this happen, but since there is much to do; pick a design/pattern, make lots of muslins for fit, etc., I should probably get started ASAP. I consider myself an advanced beginner and since there is the possibility of sewing with slippery/fine fabrics that I haven’t sewn with before, that is another factor to allow extra time for (fucking up and fixing).
I need to figure out what exactly I want it to look like and then find a pattern that is close. I don’t think I am skilled enough yet to draft my own pattern, but could probably frankenstein a couple together or figure out how to change just the skirt part, if I had to.
I have seen this Sewaholic Cambie dress made into a wedding dress and I already have that pattern, so that is a possibility. I also think that the Colette Macaron dress could make a nice wedding dress, with a sheer yoke, but I would want to change the skirt to be more of a circle skirt.
I have started a Pinterest Page with wedding dress ideas. There are only a few pins so far, as I just recently started it. Check it out if you are interested and let me know if you have any ideas as well. I could use some help on figuring out what dress exactly I want and then how to make it happen, so I would love your input!
16 Comments
stevie
Congratulations! Such lovely news for you guys! If your interested in a macaron type dress have you seen Victory Patterns Ava? Its got the similar bodice with a lovely circle skirt. Might save you some drafting. x
Lilly
Oh my gosh! How cute is that dress? I have looked at Victory Patterns before, but haven’t sewn any yet. That could definitely work. Thanks for the tip!
Alyssa Hale Hoppe
Congratulations to you both! I can’t wait to see your beautiful dress!
Monica Sanford Skov
Oh Lilly, I’m so happy for you and Matt! Congratulations – and what a sweet way to propose. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear how the wedding dress construction comes along. So happy for you!!!!!
Heather Galloway via Facebook
You’re awesome!
Bonnie Fink via Facebook
Yay! You have some really great ideas, and I think your dress will turn out beautiful. My mom made my dress and I was heavily involved in the process. I’ll email you with some things I learned. I’m so exited for you!
Joanne Courtenay-Clarke via Facebook
A) I just know your dress is going to be fantastic. and B. Do not let Matt pick out his own attire unless your going with a camo weiner dog theme! I can’t wait. I hope I’m invited!
Margaret Ferrier Miller via Facebook
would love to find that gnome, my friend collects them.
Beth Wing via Facebook
This is awesome and I’m sure it will turn out LOVELY. You’ve already making some really cute things! Talk to Britta for advice! I remember her saying pins in delicate fabrics were tricky. But you probably already knew that 😉
Britta Lyle Drew Blood via Facebook
Lilly! Oh I’m so excited for you two:) getting married is FUUUUUN!
I’m down to be a sounding board if you need it. I’ve made 2 wedding dresses and its no simple task! I totally know you can do it and make it beautifully. My first piece of advice: have a backup dress in mind “just in case”. It’ll help take some stress & pressure off the dress project so you can enjoy doing it! Sounds like you are giving yourself time. I can’t wait for you to get married in your handmade dress! I envy you, I planned to do it & chickened out! Lilly you can do it! Way to go lady! And again congrats!!
Chow Fun
Whoa, are you me!? I live in Seattle and recently decided to get married next summer and make my own dress, too!
Anyway, congrats!
Lilly
Ooh. Really? Are you blogging about it anywhere? I would love to follow your progress if so!
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