Recreating Wedding Dress

[luvplacebo]

I found this dress on Ebay and want to wear it as a wedding dress in 2014 (sorry I can't post pictures yet)

http://i1203.photobucket.com/albums/bb398/999easybuy/T2eC16hHJHQE9nzEzuN6BQGKQWMgbw60_3-1.jpg?t=1352310328

and I want to possibly re-create it, my sewing skills aren't amazing though. So I'm wondering how difficult you think this would be to make? I've got around a year to make it so plenty of time to practice but obviously I want it to be perfect. Or would it just be better to hire a professional to make it for me so I don't have to stress over it and potentially get it hideously wrong.

[AlenaSelene]

Cool dress.

Only you can asses your sewing skills, and decide if you have the necessary time to devote to a project of this size. Maybe these thoughts will help you decide.

The first problem is finding a pattern. If you can not find a pattern that is really, really close, go to a dressmaker. Drafting patterns is fun but your wedding dress is NOT the place to start!

If you can find a pattern, buy it and read the directions carefully. Again, your wedding dress is NOT the place to tackle something new or tricky. If you don't feel completely comfortable with every step, go to a dressmaker.

Strapless bodices require special fitting to stay in place. The bodice needs to be stiff and snug at the waist to rest on the hips. Boning isn't difficult but sewing all the casings can be time consuming. Getting the long fitted bodice to fit smoothly could be a little tricky, too.

Lace and satin can be fussy to sew. I suggest getting a book like "Sew a Beautiful Wedding" for tips on working with these and other special occasion fabrics.

If you decide to go for it, do make a muslin mock up first. This way any mistakes will happen on the muslin and (hopefully) not on the expensive special occasion fabric. Make some curved and straight test seams in scraps of the fashion fabric before sewing the real pieces.

Finally consider the costs. It's a huge thrill to wear a dress you've made yourself but it will take time. More time than usual, due to the trickier fabrics and in this case, special fitting. Nice fabric isn't cheap. The dress in the photo probably has 3 layers, lace, fabric and lining. Plus, you will need fabric for your mock up.

[hawkeye]

It doesn't seem like it should be too hard (though everything for a wedding has a degree of added difficulty!) If it were me I would start with a muslin-mockup of a pattern like this http://www.etsy.com/listing/108301064/pattern-style-1187-strapless-dress-with then cut off the bottom and measure the circumference in order to make a circle skirt at the hem.

Then for the gown itself I would simply flat-line the lace. Hope that helps - and makes sense!

[Alexus1325]

OMG I KNOW THIS PATTERN!!! It's an out of print Vogue:

Vogue 8389

It's a knock-off of a Dolce & Gabbana design. Don't forget you need a fishtail petticoat for the proper poufiness.

You will go through many, many thrift-store bedsheets making mockups until you get the right fit.

[luvplacebo]

OMG I KNOW THIS PATTERN!!! It's an out of print Vogue:

Vogue 8389

It's a knock-off of a Dolce & Gabbana design. Don't forget you need a fishtail petticoat for the proper poufiness.

You will go through many, many thrift-store bedsheets making mockups until you get the right fit.

Thank you. I think I'll have a look at the pattern and then decide, although I'm now leaning towards a dressmaker just because of the stress of possibly ruining my wedding dress. Sometime I wish I wanted a standard off the rack white wedding dress :/