How to Make Your Own Wedding Dresses
Take pride in your accomplishment when you walk down the aisle in a wedding dress made with your own hands. Not only will you save money while creating the dress of your dreams, but you can customize the design and select the fabric to flatter your figure and complement your coloring. Budget enough time for sewing the wedding dress, to fit in comfortably with other responsibilities for the wedding.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Gown pattern
- Gown fabric
- Cotton muslin fabric
- Sewing machine
- Straight pins
- Silk thread
- Cotton thread
- Fabric chalk
- Seam ripper
- Pressing cloth
Instructions
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Planning Ahead
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1
Visit bridal shops and boutiques for wedding dress ideas. Try on several dresses to see what styles you like best. Look at bridal magazines to further stimulate your imagination.
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2
Take measurements of your waist, bust and hips, with the undergarments you will be wearing on your wedding day. Find a commercial pattern for a gown that is closest to your measurements and desired style.
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3
Shop for bridal fabrics with your chosen pattern in hand. The pattern lists suggested fabrics, trims and sewing notions you need. Enlist the advice of a knowledgeable store clerk to learn about the different qualities of fabrics that would work best with your choice. Review fabric swatches at home before making your final decision.
Make a Mock-Up Dress
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4
Wash the muslin in cool water and dry in the dryer to soften the fabric. Iron the muslin to release all wrinkles.
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5
Fold the muslin fabric so that the finished, outside selvage edges are together. Place the pattern pieces on the fabric and pin with straight pins. Mark all darts and notches with fabric chalk. Cut out the pattern pieces.
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6
Sew all darts and seams of the mock-up dress with cotton thread, using a large sewing machine stitch. Leave enough opening in the back seam for trying on. Mark all necessary alterations and changes. Determine the placement for embellishments; mark or temporarily sew the trims, beads, pearls or silk flowers by hand.
Make the Final Dress
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7
Remove stitching from the seams and darts of the muslin dress with a seam ripper.
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8
Transfer the muslin pieces to the wedding dress fabric, following pattern instructions. Mark all notches, darts and seams with fabric chalk. Cut out your dress with sharp scissors to ensure clean fabric cuts.
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9
Baste the darts and all seams by hand. Baste the zipper in place. Try on the dress for a final fitting before stitching on the sewing machine.
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10
Sew the final wedding dress following instructions on the pattern. Choose a sewing machine needle suitable for your fabric, and silk thread which is strong, durable and stretches.
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11
Sew on all trims with silk thread, by hand, or use invisible fabric glue suitable for delicate bridal fabrics.
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12
Try on the dress and have someone measure the hem from the floor. Press the hemline and baste with a large hand stitch. Stitch the raw edge of the hem with a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine. Hem the wedding dress with silk thread using a small stitch.
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Tips & Warnings
You should have some knowledge of sewing before attempting this project.
Sew when you are relaxed and have blocks of time, to avoid mistakes.
Use a pressing cloth to prevent scorching and pressing marks.
To avoid a fabric that wrinkles easily, scrunch your fabric sample in your hand; observe any wrinkles when you release the fabric.
Cover your dress after each sewing session to prevent unexpected stains or mishaps.
References
- "Bridal Gown: How to make the wedding dress of your dreams"; Susan E. Andriks; 2000
Resources
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
