Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: jakcomp
Date: 08-17-2006, 01:50 PM (1 of 6)
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am a 52 year old bride for the first time! I know, all of you are really scratching your head over that one! I will have a super simple church ceremony with family only but I do want a nice dress. I do not want the usual gown in white or even ivory - nor can I manage the usual popular strapless models of popularity. I really want to keep it as simple as possible - with the look of the dress and also the actual sewing project. Actually, I would like to add celtic knotwork to the neckline and perhaps other areas if I could only figure out how to make them - have been searching for pre made appliques of knotwork but just can't seem to find them. Anyway, back to the style - I have seen medieval celtic styles that have increased in popularity lately, but have made a mock up of one - princess seams are good, but the A-line effect at the hips is just not flattering for my 5'4" size. I bought an all nylon floor length stretch lace skirt with self fabric godets up to the knee. I love the way it fits - very slimming and makes me look so tall, but has a "glamorous" look unlike the original look that I would like - so I have decided to perhaps make a scoop neckline, long straight sleeve (would like to have either raglan or dolman), very fitted to the knee with godets on to the floor (sort of a fishtail). Then in keeping with the medieval celtic theme, make a jerkin (vest) style overcoat (possibly a semi sheer fabric) that will also have a scoop neckline with bustline to waistline lacing and open on down to the bottom. I haven't decided how long to make the jerkin. Possibly I will put the celtic knotwork trim on the jerkin overcoat area. Since I lack adequate local stores with apparel fabrics to choose from, I am at a loss as to what fabrics to choose - for each piece. I do not have a pattern for the dress yet - I wonder if I should choose one that is made for stretch fabrics, and if I do, then what types of fabrics (special ocassion) are there to choose from suitable? I have found some stretch laces, but did not really want to use any laces, beading, crystals, pearls or any of the usual bridal trims. I think I would like to use a monochromatic color scheme (maybe bridal gold which is a very muted soft pale gold) with the dress the darker goldtone and the overcoat a shade lighter. Something like that - I know what I want in my mind (sort of a modernized medieval) but am having much trouble with pattern and fabrics selection and also how I am going to come up with the knotwork trim. The wedding will be in a couple of months, but as I live in the deep south, it will still be considered a warm temperature here. Thanks so very much for any help that all of you experts may give to me - I really need it. Desperate Kathy |
User: jakcomp
Member since: 08-15-2006 Total posts: 8 |
From: stephi
Date: 08-17-2006, 02:25 PM (2 of 6)
|
http://cgi.ebay.com/VOGUE-2512-WEDDING-BRIDESMAID-DRESS-PATTERN-delaRenta_W0QQitemZ250019581940QQihZ015QQcategoryZ 11801QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Kathy, I found this pattern while surfing the bay. Its very flattering and plain but easily embellished. I am guessing you have a pretty good Idea in your head of what you want (^not sure what tipped that off, lOL). Can you tell us when you are getting married?? Please dont say dec 2nd becasue I know a Kathy getting married on that day and it will wierd me out if you are her, LOL. Anyways this pattern seems to be able to carry a heavier fabric which is what you will want to look at if you are planning on alot of celtic knots and such. Thinner material will pucker under all that stress. I have seen a very pretty v neck dress with princess seams and short feather sleeves I am continueing the search for it..I have nothing better to do right now. 
Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361 
|
From: stephi
Date: 08-17-2006, 02:34 PM (3 of 6)
|
Not sure about the neckline on this one but heres a reno dress like you where talking about http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Simplicity-9531-RENAISSANCE-COSTUME-PATTERN_W0QQitemZ250019582652QQihZ015QQcategoryZ11 801QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Heres like the pattern I talked about in the above with the elegant v neck and this one has a cool jacket too!! http://cgi.ebay.com/Vogue-2786-Vintage-1940-Ensemble-Pattern-Size-18-22_W0QQitemZ150023528645QQihZ005QQcategoryZ11801QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem another like that one http://cgi.ebay.com/Vogue-2707-Couture-Evening-Gown-Pattern-Size-12-16_W0QQitemZ150023519930QQihZ005QQcategoryZ11801QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Well hopefully this will get you started on a direction..... 
Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361
|
From: jakcomp
Date: 08-17-2006, 03:30 PM (4 of 6)
|
Wow - thanks for the quick reply. Those are beautiful patterns. What I have in mind is the underdress (or main dress part) being long sleeved with dolman or raglan sleeves as opposed to set in sleeves because I have bold shoulders, with no empire or waistline seams; just one continuous line from top to bottom. About knee length, triangular godets can be sewn in to give that "fishtail" or "mermaid" look. I am thinking that this will have to be done in a 4 way stretch fabric in order to hang well?? Or simply, could say a crepe fabric be cut on the bias to achieve this stretch needed?? Then the "vest" or overdress that is eyeleted and laced just at the bustline to waistline and left open on down. I don't really want to look "sexy" on my wedding day - just want to look soft and plain but want to make an impact if possible. I can just see it in my mind, but as I stated, I am just so limited in selecting the fabrics, as the fabrics will either make or break the dress. I'm not really interested in anything shiny like satin or metallics, but just soft muted color tones with whatever knotwork trim I can come up with. It's been really so long since I have sewn for myself with the neverending problem of not being able to find apparel fabric anymore - it seems that all I can find anymore is decorator fabric. Anyway, thanks Stephi for your help - I really appreciate it. Haven't set a defenite date yet, but will be before Christmas. Once again, thanks. Kathy |
User: jakcomp
Member since: 08-15-2006 Total posts: 8 |
From: esrun3
Date: 08-17-2006, 11:13 PM (5 of 6)
|
Kathy, welcome to the boards and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
Lyn
|
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: jakcomp
Date: 08-18-2006, 10:08 PM (6 of 6)
|
Thanks so much Lyn for the kind remarks - it has been so many years since I have sewn for myself, simply because the fabric stores are trying to phase out apparel fabrics and introduce more decorators fabrics - oh well, the newest trend. I must have been out of my mind when I thought I could actually sew my own wedding dress! I only knew that all of the beautiful gowns in my local bridal shoppes were only designed with the 20 something year olds in mind. After all, the poufs, laces, beads, pearls, crystals, strapless, and yards of fabric and a mile long train was just not my style, so I had no alternative but to TRY to make what I wanted myself. Not so easy, I'm finding out. Anyway, I am having a ball remembering how to sew again - it's just like riding a bike - you just don't forget - maybe get a little rusty though. Once again, thanks, Kathy |
User: jakcomp
Member since: 08-15-2006 Total posts: 8 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-19905.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft