How to Save Money on Bridesmaid Dresses

There are numerous ways to stretch your wedding budget dollars. For example, you might wear a family heirloom wedding dress, or get a discount for buying all the bridal party dresses at the same bridal shop. If you, or a friend, are into sewing, you might put most of your budget into the wedding dress of your dreams and save by making the bridesmaid dresses yourself. Here are some tips to smooth the way.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• intermediate sewing skills
• basic sewing machine
• patterns
• material for dresses
• sewing supplies

1. Pick a pattern. If possible, consult your bridesmaids and find a simple pattern they (and you, of course) all like. A simple, easy to sew pattern that looks good on a variety of figures is preferable.

2. With accurate measurements for all bridesmaids, purchase patterns. You don't need one for each dress, but you will probably need more than one. One pattern per two dresses works. Most dress patterns have a range of sizes, but once you cut the material and pattern pieces, it's difficult to reuse unless you cut the same or a smaller size. Plan on cutting out the larger sized dresses first, then the smaller to get the most of your patterns.

3. Choose material. Ideally, you or your seamstress friend will have experience with satin, tulle, and other formal-wear material. These fabrics can be a bit difficult to work with, so the simple dress pattern is important. You will save the most if you have identical dresses in identical colors. Of course, you can choose different colors, and even different dress patterns as you desire, but the best cost savings is with one style and one color.

4. Using the information on the pattern, and your size and measurement data on each bridesmaid, calculate the amount of material needed. There may be some savings for buying material in bulk.

5. Cut out the dresses. It's safest to cut one at a time, make it, then move on to the next. If you choose to cut them all at once, then sew, be sure you keep all the pieces for each dress together. For example, pin together each set of pieces along with the bridesmaid's name on a slip of paper.

6. Plan a fitting with each bridesmaid about half-way through construction. This is the time to correct major problems, and to take up or let out areas that don't quite work. Have a another fitting when the dresses are nearly done, to measure the hem and double check the fit.

7. Plan the construction of the dresses so you are done well in advance of the wedding rehearsal. It is possible to make last minute adjustments just before the wedding, but you, and your attendants, will be more relaxed if as much as possible is done in advance.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider special ordering your material from the home decor section of your fabric store. They often have great extra wide satin or brocade fabric for decor that works well for multiple dresses. I recently made tea-length bridesmaid dresses for about $35 each from such material.
• Don't try this unless you are a confident seamstress. You need experience with slippery fabrics, zippers and handling tulle or lace.

[motherNN]

on 10/26/2009 Thanks for the money saving tips, those dresses can be pricey.5*