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From: pepsichickmi
Date: 03-04-2006, 09:27 PM (1 of 10)
hi everyone,  I am making my daughter wedding dress. She is heavy set and very thick around the middle. She wants off the shoulder. Any one have any slimming ideas for the heavy middle? What type of dress would most flatter her size? Any suggestions would be helpful. |
User: pepsichickmi
Member since: 02-28-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: Sew-Enchanting
Date: 03-04-2006, 11:38 PM (2 of 10)
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Off the shoulder is tough (looks-wise, not necessarily in making it) if she has arms or shoulders that are ... well...hefty. But lines - traditional princess lines look better on a plus size than more "floaty" dresses. Especially lines that run all the way down the dress (not just in the bodice). The Susan Khalje book "Bridal Couture" might help you find just the right design, too. Good luck! Kris Kris
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User: Sew-Enchanting
Member since: 12-28-2005 Total posts: 53 
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From: paroper
Date: 03-05-2006, 04:46 PM (3 of 10)
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Absolutely! Dresses that draw lines up and down are much better. Do Princess styling helps. Also, on some heavier people, an empire waistline or one that flares just below the bust (with or without a seam) can actually hide the thicker waist. If she wants to have a train that removes, one that stems from the back of the empire waist if there is a seam or the shoulders can help slim. Your best bet would be to buy some very inexpensive satin at Hancocks or maybe, if she doesn't choose satin, you can find a fabric with similar make up to the material she wants. I purchased some for about $6 a yard and make up her dress before you start the "real thing". If the dress will be of satin, it gives you a chance to fit with a material that "gives" the same as the wedding dress and it also gives her a chance to see what she looks like in the pattern before you cut the very expensive stuff. (making it up like this can save you a bundle). If there is underlining, it also gives you a chance to see which underlining you like. The first one I tried was waaaaaayy too stiff. Not only does an off the shoulder dress make the wearer, any wearer look larger because it cuts the flow of the gown off (early), it also can be hard to hold up if she has much in the bust area. Dresses that lead the eye up and down, and accentuate her best physical features, smaller bust, beautiful neckline, long, beautiful arms (a lot of people who are thick in the waist are small in the legs and arms), can do wonders for the look. If she happens to have small arms, use a fitted sleeve with a point to make her arms look graceful and draw the eye upward...points even extending the length of the body. This dress by McCalls is off the shoulder and surprisingly, it doesn't look bad. It has the princess lines. The reason that I think it works a little better is because of the overpiece. I don't like it in black with the contrast, but the lines of the overpiece (in the same size) make an upward arrow which is known to extend the figure. I think that if this were made in the right fabrics and the same color, maybe it would work as a basis for her dress? http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4791.htm?tab=large_sizes&page=1 Along a similar line is this dress from Vogue. I'm not sure that it would be as flattering, depending up opon her figure. The band above the bust puts a hard line across the dress. HOwever, the train, guiding up from the floor would make a nice look for the back. Maybe the two patterns should be somehow incorporated? http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V2803=x&TI=20003&page=6 Wow, looking at the available patterns, I don't see a whole lot to choose from. However, you might find that this type of dress would do well for her. I cannot tell but the godets in the dress should go into a seam and if they dok, you would have a princes style skirt. This dress is very elegant and depending on her figure, could be a lovely basis for a wedding gown. http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4714.htm?tab=evening_prom_bridal&page=2 This is similar http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4300.htm?tab=evening_prom_bridal&page=3 http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V2803=x&TI=20003&page=6 pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sew-Enchanting
Date: 03-05-2006, 05:34 PM (4 of 10)
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I actually made that Alicyn dress (http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M4300.htm?tab=evening_prom_bridal&page=3) for a plus-sized bride, and added some sleeves that were very "princessy" (her word, not mine! lol) - they were long and full, going down almost to the hem of the dress. One more thing that drew the eye up and down rather than chopping it up. I agree - those long vertical lines work the best. I was a plus-sized bride, and I'd post a pic of my wedding dress, but I haven't figured out pictures here yet.  I think it was the best I ever looked! lol Kris
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User: Sew-Enchanting
Member since: 12-28-2005 Total posts: 53
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From: paroper
Date: 03-05-2006, 08:22 PM (5 of 10)
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I didn't look but there used to be children's dresses with that pattern so that the flower girl's dress could be made to look something like the bride's.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: pepsichickmi
Date: 03-05-2006, 09:53 PM (6 of 10)
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thank you all for your replies. I really appreciated the input. She has since come up with the dress that she likes. I don't know how to do a link like you all did, but it is simplicity pattern # 7068. She is also thick in the arms and shoulders. She doesn't have a dainty bone in her body. She would kill me if she knew I was writing this. But since I am the mom I naturally want her to look her best. I made my older daughters dress so she has her heart set on my making hers. So let me know what you all think of that pattern. Thanks again for the help. |
User: pepsichickmi
Member since: 02-28-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-05-2006, 10:07 PM (7 of 10)
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I saw that and actually thought about sending it to you but figured the other two were so close. I think it will be just fine. I've made a dress almost identical to this for a size 32 girl for prom she was very solid and I had to enlarge the waist quite a lot...she was pretty square(no problem)..hers had the overlay that went to the right front seam from the sides (view A). The only real difference in this pattern and hers is that hers had a bolaro jacket on the pattern but I think it was the same company. Of course, it went together in a snap I tacked the overlay when I sewed in the buttons. I told the girl to bring me net and she brought me tuille which was just too limp for the can can. I went back and got net to hold the dress out. It tells you to apply the net upside down so that when the net goes down the seam helps hold it out better..pretty slick. With yards and yards of net, I used fishline to do the gathering and gathered it in quadrants because there was just so much! The lines of the dress should lead the eyes to the bustline and I think it will be pretty flattering. The dress I did wasn't as flattering because she chose a wide stripe chiffon for her overlay and it was too distracting. I think that with the proper solid fabrics, she'll be quite lovely. It also doesn't have that extra piece aroung the top of the dress to cut the length. I think you'll both be happy with this pattern!!!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-05-2006, 10:29 PM (8 of 10)
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www.davidsbridal.com has some GREAT pics of plus sized wedding dresses....it should give you some idea of what you want one to look like. ( I saw on in there with red satin around the top band, with red satin lacings down the back...BEAUTIFUL) Of course red is my fav color, so my eye was drawn to that one, but you might also think about black or navy blue for accents...or a beautiful dark green... If you take a beautiful color or some embroidery/lace/crystals that will highlight her beautiful face...then you won't look at her middle... Put some great looking flowers in her hair...with crystals, pearls and just tuck some tulle inside her hair at the back....for a veil. (if she wants one...too much veil will negate all the GOOD the dress willl do.) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: pepsichickmi
Date: 03-06-2006, 07:32 PM (9 of 10)
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thank you all for tips and ideas. I am so happy that this is a good pick cause this is the dress she wants. She choose it because she liked the overlay on the side. It is more flattering. She is thick and solid and short. When she was a kid it was always hard to get pants for her because she was so short, and he waist was bigger. I would have to take the length up alot. lol But she has found a wonderful man and she is very happy so that's all I care about. Thanks again everyone for you thoughts and ideas. Will post pics when available. Have a great day!!!!!!!!!
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User: pepsichickmi
Member since: 02-28-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: Shellymoon
Date: 04-07-2006, 12:04 AM (10 of 10)
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My friend's daughter had a similar dress made. She was a tiny, petite lady. She ended up hating the feel of the strapless gown, so we added some lightweight straps to the dress after it was already made. It wasy really easy and we both thought it made the gown look better. Be sure to post pictures! I'm sure she's going to look beautiful. Shelly Moon
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User: Shellymoon
Member since: 05-27-2001 Total posts: 240 |
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