Transforming a wedding gown

A dear friend is getting married.  This beautiful young lady embarked on a weight loss journey a few years ago and transformed her body into a more healthy slender look!  She was and is a beautiful lady inside and out!!!!  I was truly honored when she asked me to help her transform her simple straight wedding gown into something a little more fab!!!  She's getting married in Jamaica this October.

She purchased the gown from David's.  Not my favorite place for wedding gowns although they are getting better.  The beads kept falling off, the store told her they had reattached the missing beads!  I was gluing and re-sewing beads throughout the entire alteration process.

Perfect gathers using the ruffle attachment.

First I shortened the back straps (removed the beads first, cut, and reattached the straps).  Second I took in the bodice sides about 1 1/2 inches, then I removed the beading from the neck straps, shortened and reattached the hook and eyes). 

Wigan from Wawak.com

The most dramatic part was creating a removable mermaid tulle skirt.  It's seven layers:  the bottom layer is poly organza with horse hair braid hem, 4 layers of bridal netting/tulle; and 2 layers of sparkle bridal tulle on top.  I gathered all 7 pieces using my treasured gathering foot!!!  The top of the skirt is bound in wigan.  Because it is cut on the bias it attached beautifully to the skirt top!  The final touch was adding a pleated satin trim adorned with pearls to the outside of the wigan.  Because the bride wanted the option of removing skirt at the reception, I sewed hooks inside which will be used to attach the skirt to the tiny thread hooks I strategically sewed around the entire dress.

I waited until she was married today to post this!  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Brooks!!!!  God bless!!!!

The Finale'

 This is my final prom post for 2015.  Both of these beautiful young ladies are graduating seniors! Go Class of 2015!!!

Gown #1 - black stretch satin from Hancocks/black Vera knit from Vogue fabrics.  Great to work with, sews up nicely.  Self drafted pattern inspired by pic client showed me.  I started with a leotard drafted in Wildginger's Curves software.  I just made the leotard longer ommitting the crotch.  At her fitting I drew the back cut-outs.  The skirt is from Simplicity 1907.  Her sleeves are not attached they just slide up her arm.  She initially wanted the front just cut down into a "V."    I convinced her that the knit insert would be much more becoming!!!!   

This fabric has leather like appearance!

#2 Cinderella.  This client was "tomboyish."  She she never really wears dresses and definitely could not walk in heals.  She said I want to look like Cinderella! 

Prom night.  Her parents had a professional photographer come to the house for her send off!  It was really nice!  

The bodice had a foundation with boning and a lining with a side separating zipper, and a corset back.  There will be no hiking this baby up all night!!!!  Pretty straigthforward pattern, came together nicely.  

Bodice and five panel skirt lining with tulle overlay, and satin skirt with organza overlay.

Matching bow tie for her date.

Thanks for stopping by!  

Tulle Tulle Tulle

Here's two happy clients!  I made their birthday Tu Tu!!!  They are sisters born in the same month.  They are having a party today.  Look at those faces!  This is why I love to see for others!!!!