Bride - Skirt 2

A few finishing touches, hand-sewing and hemming and I'm done!  Then it's the bridesmaids!

Bride - Skirt 1

Today I cut out and assembled the skirt part. Three layers of tulle and a layer of silk. The silk is cut on the bias, not a full circle. The tulle pattern is a simple full circle, so I get a flat finish at the waist with the most possible amount of fullness at the hem. 

Bride - Overtop 3

After drafting a pattern from the toile, I sewed the overtop using two layers of organza. The reason I decided to have two layers was so I could bag it out for really tidy edges. I am part way through sewing on the bead weaving.

Bride Bodice - Beading 1

A new bead weaving using wider bugle beads. This has come out lovely, and hides a few crumples along the edge. Am not sure if it looks so good next to the previous weaving though so will see. Coming up to school holidays so I hope to have the whole thing finished soon!

The ring has arrived!

Stephen re-proposed in a very romantic way....so he could present the ring (s), a bottle of Moet and candles. What more could a girl want! The fine bands are rose gold with tiny diamonds they will sit either side of the wedding band.

Bride - Overtop 2

I've draped this organza to make a pattern for the overtop, here are some pictures with the bead weaving pinned in place. The weaving around the sleeve creates a lovely drape.

Bride Bodice - Silk layer 1

Finally I got around to the silk it was very nerve wracking! The finish is still not smooth and I am not sure how to correct it. But I will wait till the eyelets are all inserted and then I can do a good press, it feels lovely though and will have the over-top to disguise any imperfections!

Bride - Overtop 1

I have started a bead weaving with white 4 mm bugle beads and some lavender seed beads. It will create a neckline border for the overtop. I am trying it out by draping the organza over the model. The loom is made out of balsa wood, it is pretty rough but gets the job done! I learnt this technique when I worked on the Lord of the Rings movies. This is how they made the bead border of the 'mithrel vest' that Frodo gets from the elves...

Bride inspiration

This is the Oscar De La Renta gown that has inspired me! This dress is very playful and the over-top idea really grabs me because it is uncommon and covers me up a bit! it has bead embellishing which I thought about doing but I have had some other ideas...

Groom - Suit hire 1

Thought we'd better get Stephen sorted out too! He has an odd shape where his neck is large and he has a slim body, so the shirt was not a great fit. So maybe we will buy one that I can take in...

Bride Bodice - Shell 7

The wire insert brings in the ease around the style line. More shaping with the iron to smooth out the shell.

Bride Bodice - Shell 6

The bodice is fitting well. I will add a wire around the top style line for added support.

Bride Bodice - Shell 5

The bodice is fitted on the model. Thick thread holds it together for a fitting.

Bride Bodice - Shell 4

Extra shaping comes out and hand stitched. Boning is moulded using a hot iron and shaped to fit the contours better.

Bride Bodice - Shell 3

The seams pressed open I sewed the boning casing to the inside seams. The bodice is fitted back on the model.

Bride Bodice - Shell 2

I cut the padding pattern from my toile, stitched two layers together and hand sewed the edges.

Bride Bodice - Shell 1

I have interlined a white drill cotton and cut out my bodice pattern.

Basting around my style line with a bright pink thread. Then sewing the seams.

Bride Bodice - Toile

After adjusting my expandable dressmaking dummy and fitting a Lycra sleeve over it (for a smooth form) I have made a calico toile. I try it on and fit around the breasts!

Bespoke Bride

My bits and piece gathered for the project....tulle 16m, cotton drill 2m, white duchess satin .6m, swarovski crystal beads etc.