How to Sew a Muslin Wedding Gown

When sewing a wedding dress or any other expensive garment, a mock-up needs to be made first out of muslin or any other inexpensive material. The woman then tries on the first draft of the dress and changes needed are marked so that the final dress cut out of expensive fabric fits perfectly.

Instructions

1. Pin the pattern pieces to flat muslin. Add seam allowance if it is needed. Standard seam allowance is either 5/8-inch or ½-inch. Trace pieces of the garment that are key to the structure of the garment only, skipping extras like lining and cuffs.

2. Cut out all of the pieces. Pin them together where they will be sewn.

3. Change the stitch size on the sewing machine. It is probably a dial on the right side of the machine and it needs to be moved to the largest number; most machines maximize at 5. A large stitch is faster to sew and easy to tear out so the muslin pieces can be reused.

4. Stitch the muslin dress mock-up together with a bright or contrasting color of thread so that the stitch line is easy to see. Leave the edges undone. Be sure to use the same seam allowance as will be used for the final draft of the wedding gown.

5. Press the seams open so that while fitting the muslin wedding gown it lies nicely against the body.

6. Fit the muslin wedding gown onto the bride. Use many safety pins to mark how much the dress needs to be taken in. Mark the ends of sleeves, neckline and hem with safety pins. Tear open the seam if letting out is needed.

7. Use a fabric marker or pen to redraw the lines along the safety pins for an updated pattern. Use these pieces to create a new paper pattern, making sure to include seam allowance.