Making your own dress?

I love that you are making your own wedding dress! It's going to be all that much more special and meaningful because you made it. I thought about making mine, but I ended up buying it because once we set our date I knew I wouldn't have enough time to do it properly.

Which pattern are you using, if you don't mind my asking? Quite a bit of my sewing has been with vintage patterns, and I love to see which ones other people are using. I also think ordering so many swatches was a great idea, that way you get exactly the fabric you were picturing.

View Quoted Comment

This is the pattern I'm using: https://www.etsy.com/listing/502210317/1964-vintage-vogue-sewing-pattern-b36?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_ts1-a-craft_supplies_and_tools-patterns_and_how_to-other&utm_custom1=77ad259b-f5fd-4298-bd01-936f5d668e7c&utm_content=go_2063076218_76452844695_367965823347_pla-297065912291_c__502210317&utm_custom2=2063076218&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpuGX5t3y5wIVx5yzCh0_dQ9qEAQYASABEgIb7_D_BwE

Definitely a bit of a challenge even with my experience level! The most unusual design element I've noticed so far is that it has a built-in under dress-- not a lining, not an underlining, but an under dress with a completely different pattern, boning for shape, and it's own zipper. I've never seen that before!

The good news as far as timing is that the wedding won't be until next year, and the date is flexible because me and my FH want to elope and then throw a party later. In fact, we're keeping the entire engagement a secret from everyone except a few close friends (and complete strangers on the internet) so no one can ruin our idea to have a really small ceremony but put a lot of effort into the details. Once we've gotten to do what we really want, we'll let everyone know and send out photos. LOL.

Thats amazing! I am too!!

Beyond excited to finally be making my own, I have made all types of gowns for clients but this feels so special. I didn't even think about trying gowns on as I always knew I would design my own. I do feel a little pressure though as everyone is asking me about it and can't wait to see it. Even my fiance is so excited, well he was until he found he can't see it until the wedding lol but I already purchased my main fabrics. I'm using a silk organza and a 3D flower lace from Sposabella. I am planning on a ballgown with a long train and lace appliques. As if I don't have enough on my plate I decided I wanted to make a second dress which will he all sequins and rhinestones so I can dance, as well as my 5 bridesmaids and flower girl because the designer in me couldn't let them wear someone else's designs, crazy I know but I have a little over a year to make it happen so wish me luck!
Oh please share pictures when you finish your gown I would love to see it!!!

View Quoted Comment

Wow, good luck with all that! The "scope creep" can definitely get to be a bit much... like one dress can easily turn into an entire fashion line. LOL. Fortunately I'm doing a *very* small ceremony initially (the idea is to elope first, throw parties later), so the most this can expand to is 4 or 5 outfits total. I feel like there's a fairly good chance I'll want a consistent look in the photos, which will definitely mean making outfits for my friends. I just can't find any ready-to-wear that fits in right with the dress pattern I picked-- I want to keep the heavy satins and sleek, minimalist styling consistent. And '60s gowns just have a cut that I don't see much in current fashion-- the necklines are higher, the skirts have a really specific A-line cut, etc. Not to mention I haven't seen a ton of ready-to-wear in the heavier weight fabrics I'm envisioning. So far, the friend who's going to be my officiant REALLY loves the dress pattern I chose for myself, and she's into doing a complementary look Once me and my partner decide which friend is going to be signing the paper as our witness, I might look into making an outfit for that friend, too.

And we'll definitely need to share photos when we're done!

Wow Anna,
I must be so exciting and gratifying to have the skill to make your own dresses, I can't imagine how much satisfaction you'll get from sewing your own dream dress😁😁
I have so much respect for all of you ladies that have that ability, picking my wedding dress is the best part of the planning! Please post picture when you finish!
My Dress

I was planning on making mine. I too have a sewing background, but I'm not sure I am quite as experienced as you are as my experience with formal wear was by making my prom dresses. I was looking forward to the challenge of designing my own dress (I was taking a Vogue skirt pattern and basically designing my own bodice), as I had not found a dress I liked to my satisfaction based on what I was seeing online. My mom was nervous about me wanting to make my dress and that I would stress myself out about it.

However, when I went dress shopping the second store I visited had a designer that would do just about any custom alteration to their designs at a reasonable price. I ended up finding a dress that was almost identical to the dress I had designed in my head. Plus, with the ability to create my dream dress with the alterations, I decided to go ahead and purchase my dress instead of buying it. The dress will require some alterations, such as adding cups and a bustle which I plan on doing myself.