Planning for a winter wedding, I wanted a dress I wouldn’t be cold in. I also had so many ideas I loved – From medieval and woodland fairy to a fifties style in red lace – and only one wedding!
I decided on a fabric, the most expensive I have ever bought (on a budget). I did get several samples sent so I could check the thickness and stretch, how it felt and folded.
I chose a natural white/cream coloured wool fabric and a pale green lyocel lining.
My inspiration for the dress shape was from the film Gigi, set in turn of the century Paris. I used a vintage Seventies maxi dress I have as the template for the skirt as I always get compliments and it fits so well.
White or ivory silk or satin dress with bodice and train, decorated with black birds
The bodice needed to be planned and drawn out, so I learnt about folds and how to cut a pattern with folds on YouTube! There was lots of pinning and fitting to get the folds to sit right before using the pattern to cut the wool.
I chose to join the two halves instead of creating a corset or bodice separately. Making it into a dress meant I could have lots of buttons!
Amazingly, in my search for feathers for the shoulder decoration I chanced upon hair clips reduced in Claire’s Accessories. I dismantled the clips from the feathers so I could tack them on. I chose this method so I can easily remove and re-attach them if it needs cleaning.
As the dress did not have sleeves and I didn’t want to spoil it with a cardigan or coat, I decided to make a matching jacket, using a Victorian/ steampunk pattern as a template. This idea came from a page I had kept from a Vogue magazine. I also wanted to add some wool frills.
My mum and I knitted yards of lace in Rowan Kidsilk to decorate the edge of the skirt and the front of the jacket.
I am so happy with the outcome of incorporating two of my dream outfits for my wedding dress, using styles that suited my shape.
I hope I get to wear it again for a party sometime!
For more inspiration look at my post on vintage wedding dresses.
Wedding photo credit: www.jamesmarcelle.co.uk
The Girl loves vintage 