Getting hitched, DIY-style

Added Jan 18, 2010

by threadsquare

Somerville, Mass...

Cali_thumb

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Description

A lovely vintage pattern to go along with our art deco wedding, held in an old movie theatre. Decades of Style Pattern 3301, 1933 evening gown. I fully interlined and lined the gown. A ton of hand sewing was involved, including the hems of both the gown and the lining, which horse hair braid was added to for ease of movement. The buttons were covered to match, and I found an old piece of costume jewelry that I converted to the brooch on the front. The muslin created a very loose bust, as expected for the era, so a bit of alteration was necessary. I don’t have any great views of the back, but you kinda get the gist in the dancing photo.

ps- I also made the fascinators that my Mom and I wore, my jewelry, the boutonnieres for the groom, my Dad, Stepdad, and father-in-law, and a fabric corsage for my mother-in-law. Part of our favors were yo-yo brooches that I made from my Mom’s stash of vintage fabric and buttons, with a few of my fabric pieces thrown in. It was amazing to see how well-coordinated our guests looked after choosing their brooches (and I totally knew which ones a few people would pick!)

Images copyright Andrew Davis Photography.

Material Notes

Silk charmeuse, silk chiffon, silk thread, hook & eye, fabric-covered buttons, horse hair braid, vintage brooch, and a ton of sweat & tears :)

Difficulty

Advanced

Related Techniques

Categories

For
Women
Garment Type
Dress
Style
Bridal, Classic, Evening Wear, Romantic, Vintage
Material
Chiffon, Silk

10 Comments

  • Missing

    Apr 3, 2012, 05.09 PMby verythorough

    I know it’s been two years, but I’m thinking about making this dress and I was wondering if I could ask you about your experience wearing it. Did you feel like it stayed on your shoulders well, or did it threaten to slip off when you bent over? Did you wear a backless bra, go without, or something else?

    Thanks for posting. I can find a surprisingly small number of people who have made this dress, and you’re the only one I’ve seen so far who has made it full length. Any input would be much appreciated!

    1 Reply
    • Cali_thumb

      Apr 3, 2012, 08.13 PMby threadsquare

      I had no problems at all in the shoulder area, and that’s an issue I have a lot. So there’s that going for it! I definitely wore a bra… I wish I were the girl who could go without, but I’m not :) The stick on cups would have been ideal, if they would work for me. But I just don’t trust them. I found a strapless corset type thingy at Nordstrom that worked out okay. I had to use a little wardrobe tape in the back, as the dress comes down just a touch lower than the top of the bra.

      Good luck!!! Will this be your wedding gown?!

  • 3864138084_1fb5db6c00_large

    Mar 27, 2012, 11.19 AMby Ruffles Gazebo

    wow this dress is beautiful! what a great pattern. you lo0ok beautiful!

    1 Reply
  • Sart_large

    May 24, 2010, 08.36 PMby tamezdc

    Amazing dress! It looks great on you. Congratulations.

  • 8cd1614e48bc4501afea6f52b63c8c49a74eb814_large

    Feb 14, 2010, 02.23 AMby juebejue

    the dress is amazing! i really love how it is vintage and goes very well with the theater atmosphere. what an original idea! i love it!

  • Schwa_large

    Feb 10, 2010, 06.41 PMby seussian

    Gorgeous . I love the idea of getting married in a movie theatre :) Is horsehair very hard to find/ use? I’ve heard about it but never use it God bless :)

    1 Reply
    • Cali_thumb

      Feb 10, 2010, 09.48 PMby threadsquare

      Thank you! We’re not the real “wedding” type, but we do love film and live music (this theatre also has performances), so it was very appropriate. And I must add, theatres & other non-traditional venues are definitely cost-effective :)

      I found horsehair braid on createforless.com. All I could find for the braid was this plastic/poly stuff. It didn’t seem too hard to come by. But I have found horsehair yardage at a local fabric shop. I’m definitely going to buy some, because I can’t wait to make the Nadine jacket, and I think the collar needs that structure. I’ve only seen it in this one store, but I bet some sleuthing online might turn it up?

      The poly braid I used was pretty easy, so here’s hoping the yardage it, as well!

  • Cali_large

    Jan 19, 2010, 01.57 PMby threadsquare

    Thanks, everyone! I didn’t post my fav photo of us “watching a film”, because, well, this is a sewing site, not a wedding site. To answer your question, fabricitis, I did interline every piece of fabric, and then the skirt also has a lining. I did this because the charmeuse is very sheer, as GDAC suggests. The interlining was done with chiffon, and then the lining to the skirt was also with chiffon. The bodice is self-lined. I also modified the entire process with French seams. My rolled hem isn’t perfect by any stretch, but now that I’m not under time constraints I should fix it.

  • Clip2_large

    Jan 19, 2010, 05.32 AMby almatinka

    Beautiful dress!!! And both of you look gorgeous!!! Congratulations!

  • Chrysanthemum_large

    Jan 19, 2010, 12.26 AMby fabricitis

    Awesome. Did you underline the whole dress or just the bodice? I ask because I’m trying to decide how to handle underlining and lining the wedding dress that I’m working on.

    1 Reply
    • Gdac_logo_shirt_only_thumb

      Jan 19, 2010, 03.19 AMby gdac

      I’ve made a similar dress – but it was gunmetal grey satin, so I just lined the bodice… unless the wedding dress is really heavy material, I sugges you line the whole dress as it will take away visible pantie lines and skin imperfections that may show thru. After all its the one day that a woman deserves to look perfect!!!

  • 243e706940e9ec6ee5590c8d3bfdfce316b1ac98_large

    Jan 19, 2010, 12.17 AMby amibambini

    Beautiful, and congratulations!

  • Missing

    Jan 18, 2010, 11.37 PMby pinup

    Stunning dress!! A deco wedding, what a dream!! Congratulations.

    Ps. Love the photo on the stage, its really lovely.

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