For some reason I got excited and took all these photos before hemming the under-layer of the skirt. WTF, Tanit?
Self delusion is painfully real, and even the best fall prey to it. I do it all the time, so you’ve probably heard this story here before.
A fabric came in at work. Specifically, a beaded bridal lace. Look, I dunno what fancy bridal fabrics YOUR Fabricland gets, but mine is not the fancy store. We don’t see this stuff often.
But I don’t need to be making a wedding dress. I have neither time nor desire. Nor a use, so we’re very clear. Hubs and I are perilously close to 18 years shacked up, I am not setting that count back to zero, thank you. Why would I even consider making such a thing?
On the other hand, I could make it as an Easter dress. Because that’s totally a thing I need. We haven’t even done a turkey at Easter in years.
So yeah, I made an Easter dress. That just looks suspiciously like a wedding dress. Erm.
Ok, it’s totally a wedding dress. Sue me.
A short, cute, fluffy wedding dress.
The pattern is Gertie’s new one, Butterick B6453. I was initially far more interested in the narrow-skirt version, which is much more my usual speed. A few of you long time readers may recall my long-ago Project Dropwaist posts, where I obsessed over my dislike (on my own particular body) of gathered skirts that hit at the waist. I very successfully adapted a number of those patterns, including Sewaholic’s Cambie, to a drop waist, and I’ve worn the snot out of all those dresses.
I could have done that this time, as well, but I was doing this as a shop project and sometimes I don’t feel like spending the whole display month telling disappointed customers that actually this major design feature is quite different on the source pattern. Dropping the waist isn’t an easy hack like changing a neckline. In hindsight I suppose I could’ve used the top couple of inches of the fitted skirt version, but I’ve only just thought of that idea now. And hey, that’s a really great idea, now I totally want to try it!
Um.
So basically this dress is way outside my comfort zone. Much too fancy for daily wear (seriously, those lovely beads snag on everything!) not to mention being unforgivably bridal. And in a style I’m not comfy with? WTF, Tanit.
What can I say—sometimes we want to run with an idea. 😂
Anyway, let’s get a bit technical. I made minimal versions of my usual bodice alterations—shortening and swayback—and am quite satisfied. The nice thing about that pesky waist seam is that I could do the swayback alteration AFTER trying it on and determining that yes, my back waist/hips are actually up that high.
While playing around with laying out the motifs, I decided to sew the rear darts only in the taffeta under layer, rather than mess around trying to incorporate them into the lace without destroying the motif. This seems to have worked just fine, thanks.
Should’ve added underlining to the underlining.
I really wanted to use the scalloped edge of the lace along the upper front of the bodice. While keeping the curved neckline of the underlay free. But still having the lace sewn into all the other seams. This wound up working out beautifully, but I had some head-scratching moments on the way. Since I was using white, I fully lined the bodice rather than using the facings (and frankly I think I’ll generally do that) but I should’ve used a double layer of taffeta under the lace as my seam allowances still show through. You’d think I would know better by now…
Because I had decided to use this pearl and rhinestone trim (but I wasn’t making a wedding dress?!? WTF, Tanit), I had to widen the straps, which are super-narrow as they come with the pattern. I would like to try it again with the original straps. I did keep the adjustable feature, though. I know some people have poo-poo’d this as unnecessary on a custom dress but those people are obviously better seamstresses than I. I NEVER get the strap length right. And I hate going back and fixing it after. Speaking of Project Drop Waist, I’ve been wearing my Minnie Mouse dress for YEARS with straps that are just slightly too long.
On a side note, this pattern is a total fabric hog, BUT, if you have a double-edged border, as I did on the lace, or are willing to compromise the skirt fullness slightly (as I had to do with the taffeta underlayer, since apparently no one at my store remembered to order more of the white bridal taffeta) it becomes much more manageable.
But the single best feature?
POCKETS! Giant, iPhone-holding, glorious pockets! I want to make a copy of this pattern piece to use instead of all the other weenie pocket patterns I ever encounter. I spent almost as much time
Ok, so after all that, I don’t hate the dress on me as much as I feared I might. Straight on isn’t a good view, but there are other angles that are better. My photos here are terrible, but will have to do until the dress is done display and the weather improves. (Note: its gorgeous here right now. By which I mean windy as hell but well above freezing. Like, double digits C yesterday, which is so amazing and glorious I can’t even describe it. And eastern Canada’s had a pounding this week so I am suffering weather guilt.)
So I don’t think I’ll be mainlining dirndl skirts quite yet, but I did enjoy this project, and I’m curious what I will think if I can manage to get some proper photos. Part of my shift in attitude is a shift in my own body, which is rather more hour-glassy here in the latter half of my 30s than it was in my formative years. But still short-waisted. That part actually gets worse as I put weight on my hips. Anyway, it was a fun exercise. And I am now accepting ideas for what to do with a completely superfluous wedding dress.
Tanit-Isis Sews 
For starters, it looks fabulous on you and I think you have the absolute right attitude to get away with it….
Two suggestions beyond Easter.
Wear it to either the grocery store or bowling
Donate it to something like belleoftheball.com or beccascloset.org
Thank you! And those are great suggestions. 😀 Fluffy dresses definitely improve the bowling experience. 😉
Wow! Lovely! Possibly not the most versatile, but I am thinking Easter, May in the park when all is spring-like etc…
Just have to create the right occasion!
Thank you! Creating the occasion will be the trick. 😂
Dye it! Find a polyester dye in a color you really like, and have a gorgeous formal/semi formal dress. You would have to be careful with the beading though. Alternately, if you’re willing to re-sew the lining, you could pick a different solid color and have the white sheer beaded fsbric be the overlay, and that would completely change the vibe of the dress.
Ombre dye. I mean, wait until you can do it outside. Because the hem will be slightly discolored from the bowling nights.
I did consider overlaying on a different colour at he start but I really liked the ivory lace over white. (Actually, I thought it would come out more ivory. Maybe that’s the route to go…)
I see an Ice or Snow Faerie!!!
😁😁😁😁
Sometimes you’ve just gotta make what you want to make :p it looks lovely.
Hee! I do that a fair bit. It’s sure fun though. 😂
I just love the idea of sewing a thing just because you want to, even if it is utterly impractical. I’ve got dreams for a thirties style bias cut dress and I might just take a leaf out of your book and make it!
i guess I’ve always loved dressup for its own sake… sometimes just getting good photos can be enough of a “goal”. 😁
Wear it with a cropped denim jacket or a cropped cardigan in a contrast colour. Instant de-bridaling!
I love the idea of pairing it with my cropped denim!
Life is short, sew what you want. Especially when you’re not paying for the fabric!
It’s a pretty dress and has pockets! so I’m sure you’ll manufacture a non-wedding related time and place to wear it 🙂
I love your philosophy!
It looks gorgeous. I love the idea of adjustable straps and why haven’t I thought of that as I never get the straps right no matter how hard I try. I think maybe have a non wedding and wear it. Make the Grandmas happy.
I know, right? Adjustable is such a great idea. 😂
So pretty – it would be perfect to wear in a ballet! (Maybe save it for Halloween and pretend to be a ballerina.)
It would be a great ballerina dress, wouldn’t it? 😄
I think you should dye it–it would make some girl’s dream come true for a prom dress, just sayin’. 😉 Those straps are awesome, and I love the idea of adjustable straps, because I’ve yet to ever have them come out perfect (actually, if anything, mine usually have a bubble on either the inside or outside edge of wide straps) probably because I try to pin them on myself by myself. A contortionist, I am not. 😉
Yeah, I have had that strap bubble many times! 😂 Dying may be something to consider. Neither of my girls would/could wear it for a grad dress, though, I’m pretty sure… 😂
Such a fantastic beautiful dress, you’ve done a great job showing off the lovely lace, especially with the neckline.
Thank you!!!!
It is pretty! I’m not one to wear a white dress myself. I’d get it dirty too fast, perhaps slop something on it. Perhaps I’d dye it blue and then wear it around the house, twirling as I clean, blue rubber gloves on of course!
Haha! I love the idea of the matching rubber gloves. Unfortunately I’ve snagged the lace already just wearing it for the photos—I think it really is as delicate as it seems. 😂