First Post Ever

Welcome to my sewing blog.  I have decided to blog the process of sewing my daughter-in-law to be's wedding gown.  I have been helped immeasurably in this process by the sewing blogs of others and I would like to pass on the favour to other home sewists who may be facing the same issues. 

So far here is what has happened:  Mandy tried on dresses on two different occasions, neither of which I was able to attend but I saw the pics!  She decided after this experience that her dream dress didn't exist in her price range.  Enter me.  After perusing the pics I spent an evening trawling the internet to see if I could find a pattern that could easily be modified to fit her vision.  I didn't mention it to her just in case I found nothing.  I hit paydirt on eBay with this out of print McCall's pattern.

I then revealed my find to Mandy who was thrilled.  We decided we needed to create a sweetheart neckline and raise the skirt.  We will add a ruched/hand-pleated bodice and lace to the skirt.

After a long frustrating wait for the pattern to arrive, I began.  I am lucky enough to own Susan Khalje's fantastic book on bridal couture which is now out of print.  She recommends making a corselet to support a strapless dress.  So off I went to WalMart where I found a set of 310 thread count ivory sheets which had a very soft feel.  I preshrunk and ironed them and then I created a corset pattern from the top of the bodice and cut both out.  The next weekend I sewed both the muslin of the bodice and corset. In the meantime I ordered spiral steel boning and bra cups from Bra Maker's Supply.  I also ordered special hook and eye tape from Susan Khalje's site.  Because of living in the north I fear that the biggest expense on this dress may be shipping!  We do have a great little fabric store here but it simply can't carry everything so the internet is my friend.

This is what I have so far.  The corset:  

 And the bodice:

Aren't muslins ugly?!  I am almost afraid to show it to her this weekend.  I am not sure I'll have time to do a fitting and I don't have the bones in anyway.  It's too bad because she lives eight hours away and I probably won't see her again until later in October.