Burda Style For people who sew
Description
I was a spring bride, and this is the dress I wore – I made it myself.
I’ve always wanted a short dress in 1950s style, an outfit I could move easily in and show off my shoes! I didn’t want the veil, the train, the lot, so vintage styles seemed like an option.
I failed to find one ready made, so the only option was to sew it myself. A very brave project, I must say!
To begin with, I did quite a bit of research, looking for vintage dress patterns, originally issued in around 1950s.
I had to order several, as the sizes were very different and I got quite a few patterns that were way too big. I then came across McCall’s 5815 dress pattern on Etsy, and made a draft dress from cheap cotton.
It didn’t look good!
First of all, this vintage neckline turned out to be very uncomfortable and created a hood-shaped fold on my chest every time I moved my shoulders forward to lowered my head. Secondly, who can handle so much fabric around one’s waist?! This gathered skirt design made my look fat and unflattering.
So I changed the pattern – cut out a deeper neckline, lowered the empire waist, and re-designed the skirt into a full flare. A petticoat did wonders to the whole outfit. I embellished the dress with moss green sash, which was the theme colour of our wedding.
On the day I felt absolutely gorgeous, and even though it was a stressful process getting the dress done, I’d do it again!
Material Notes
Ivory SIlk Dupioni (100% silk) Silk Lining (Ivory) Zip Moss green ribbon
Categories
Credits
- McCall's
5815
33 Comments
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Aug 6, 2011, 09.48 AMby sewno
So beautiful
Apr 14, 2011, 09.08 AMby tirrs
It’s really great. Do you wear a petticoat under it?
1 Reply
Apr 16, 2011, 03.53 PMby judabra
Hi, yes, I wore a petticoat underneath. It wouldn’t have looked as nice without one.
Feb 14, 2011, 08.02 PMby heather bulmer
wow, this is really inspiring! Did you have much experience before you started your dress? I’m toying with the idea myself but its mega scarey and I’m worried it might go wrong…. and be left dressless before our big day.
I’m not very experienced in dress making so far, but would love to give it a go as I’ve not been able to find anything like this at all. I am sooo tempted to take a leaf out of your book and give it a try,
Heather
1 Reply
Mar 7, 2011, 10.37 AMby judabra
Hi, Heather, I have been sewing since I was a little girl, with my mom’s support and advice. She helped me throughout the process of making this dress, via Skype! Other than that, I strongly advice to make a muslin dress version, our of some cheap fabric, to see if the fit is right and if you like it. Good luck!
Dec 25, 2010, 05.36 AMby freakusbzzz
My favourite green. Very sweet
Nov 21, 2010, 12.03 PMby jazbrit
This is sooo beautiful. great job!! I am also haveing a retro 50’s theme. I have found that alote of the designers out there that do make tea-length gowns charch too much, there 2 that I know of the charch 2 thousand dollars just to make dress. So hats off too you. I am looking for a EASY to sew pattern it has to be a retro 1950’s gown pattern though.. got any saggestions?? also was wondering if you might be able to put link up so people can go and find out where ya got your shoes? Fab shoes just love em!!
1 Reply
Nov 21, 2010, 02.37 PMby judabra
Thanks for your comments. If you have enough time to play with the idea of making your own wedding dress – go for it. Search Etsy for original 1950s patterns, make a muslin ‘draft’ dress to see if you like the fit. As for shoes, they are called Cortesan Floral Bar Court, from Irregular Choice brand, I bought them in the UK – see if this link works for you http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irregular-Choice-Cortesan-Floral-Court/dp/B0018YZ8NQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1290350172&sr=8-1
Nov 4, 2010, 04.07 PMby leenute
Fantastiška suknelė! Labai gražiai atrodot :) Reiks man tokią suknelę kokių medinių vestuvių proga pasisiūt :))
Oct 30, 2010, 08.50 PMby redslippers
love, love, love!
Apr 3, 2010, 09.22 PMby tallykay
The dress is beautiful and i love the Green and the shoes!! what a beautiful wedding!
Feb 13, 2010, 03.27 AMby camilaustral
love it love it love it!! i want my wedding dress to be short too! actually i would like something very similar to yours ;)
Jan 18, 2010, 06.29 PMby Natalia *
I can see why you didn’t want a long dress -those shoes are fantastic. The dress is stunning too. Great job and congratulations on the wedding.
Jan 1, 2010, 06.10 AMby gonnange
this is beautiful!!
Dec 3, 2009, 11.53 AMby madeleinefashion
OMG i absolutely love this!!! olive green is my favourite colour, and yet i had never thought of having it for my wedding (in the future)… this is beautiful… it has me dreaing and planning!!! xoxox
Dec 1, 2009, 10.08 AMby judabra
Wow! Many thanks for your feedback and kind words! In all honesty, during the process of making this dress I was scared that I will over-do it – with too much this or too much that. I didn’t have a stylist or a fashion designer to advise me on what would look too fancy-dress, and what would look silly. What really helped was looking at a lot of pictures from the era, and deciding against certain accessories, such as short white gloves for example.
Nov 30, 2009, 11.29 PMby nessys
The dress is amazing and I absolutely LOVE that green! The matching sash & tie for your husband is really lovely. I am so impressed – weddings are stressful enough, let alone making your own wedding dress!!! But you did a great job and those shoes are to DIE for!!!! Congrats on the dress & on your wedding!
Nov 30, 2009, 08.50 PMby kdrodgers
This is so pretty. I love the 50s, they had great fashions back then!
Nov 30, 2009, 05.31 PMby msgems
This is sooo pretty. Really elegant and amazing shoes. Congratulations on your wedding by the way :-)
Nov 30, 2009, 05.20 PMby sarabclever
Not only is that gorgeous, that takes some real guts. I love those retro styles—I don’t know how easy it would be to wear day to day but it’s PERFECT for a dress like that!
Nov 30, 2009, 05.16 PMby galatina
wow! It’s stunning – and you look amazing!
Nov 30, 2009, 08.13 AMby sabzarap
I love your dress And your shoes too. And I love your idea with the green belt and the same green tie of your husband!!!
Nov 30, 2009, 07.18 AMby frkbustad
Brave and impressive! The dress looks gorgeous, and congrats on both your wedding and making the beautiful dress!
Nov 29, 2009, 11.06 PMby misssylver
That’s so lovely, you are brave! I love what you did to the neckline and your necklace is beautiful to. I bought my wedding dress (also 1950’s) from Vivien of Holloway, they are great if you want something a bit different but I almost wish I had made it like you did.
Nov 29, 2009, 10.39 PMby goldilox
Congrats and i love the outfit especially the shoes
Nov 29, 2009, 10.20 PMby nenasew
I absolutely love it. I love the neck line changes you made. WOW.
Nov 29, 2009, 09.28 PMby almatinka
The dress looks amazing and I definitely like what you did to the neckline – it’s much better than the original!
Nov 29, 2009, 09.19 PMby sewella
I admire it! You look fabulous!
Nov 29, 2009, 08.41 PMby judabra
Thanks, everyone, for your comments and compliments! I had a few raised eyebrows when I told my friends I was making my own wedding dress. But afterwards they all said it was worth the stress!
Nov 29, 2009, 08.25 PMby ichigogirl
It IS gorgeous! You can tell it’s made from good material, and the style and fit is just perfect. It’s actually all exquisite, the flowers, the dress, the shoes (btw I have a pair of vintage-ey boots from Irregular choice, I love them!), very tasteful (and a bit fun!).
Nov 29, 2009, 08.09 PMby jays
You did a great job with that dress, and you do look gorgeous in it!
Nov 29, 2009, 06.57 PMby pemvandepar
I love it!
Nov 29, 2009, 06.47 PMby calicocouture
I LOVE your shoes! The green sash adds a nice touch to the dress. You’re brave to sewing your own wedding dress!