Wow! I can’t believe that it is already November and I haven’t posted anything on this website since…I can’t even remember. I promised so many people that I would put out an article about Kenna’s wedding dress and I’m finally getting to it. I’ve done several dresses through the years, mine included, and I’ve enjoyed the process on each one. The only snag I find with making dresses is finding a pattern that fits the vision. I have a wonderful friend that was so helpful in helping us put together a pattern for Kenna’s dress. She wanted a simple dress with a v-neck and a straight waist line that actually sat at her waist. You would think that a dress pattern would be easy to find with those parameters, but alas, they are not easy to find. Thank you Jennifer Nelson for your amazing wrapping paper pattern! I think my next creative venture needs to be pattern making, so I can turn a sketch into a beautiful gown.
It’s all cut out, now on to assembly.
Lining, because layers of satin and lace are not enough by themselves.
She picked out a beautiful lace, that looked so nice over the satin.
Making sure the pleats line up just right.
Before you can assemble, you have to combine each piece with the lace.
I’m so focused, and tanned! You can tell it was still summer.
Marking the lining pleats.
I love that the pattern was made from wrapping paper!
More pleat markings.
I mark with pins, maybe not as accurate as using a marking pencil, but easier to get out.
I love the lace pattern for the back pieces!
Ready to join to the front.
Trying to keep all the pieces straight and not sew the wrong things together.
uh-oh. The seam ripper is never a good sign.
Can’t remember what I did wrong, so it must not have been that bad.
All fixed, let’s try that again.
Lining’s going in.
Hoping it all lines up. Wow, I need a manicure!
Work in progress.
All right folks, we have a bodice!
Saving the scalloped edges for the sleeves.
Making sure it fits. We had to do a little altering so she could bend her arms.
That’s better.
So Pretty!!
Now we have sleeves!
On to the Skirt. We have about 5 yards of satin and 10 yards of chiffon in the skirt!
It may not look like it, but that’s a lot of fabric.
Two layers of chiffon over the satin.
Doesn’t is have a nice drape?
The first try on, without a zipper.
Zippers can be stressful, especially with so many layers to deal with. I guess I needed my rally hat.
Just be straight, Just be straight.
It worked! I was so happy when the waist seam lined up!! Doesn’t always happen on the first try.
I love the way the lace came together on the back.
Time to trim the length. Don’t fall off the stool Kenna.
It would be easier to hold all that chiffon if you could use both hands.
Here is the finished product. She was so beautiful that day, as always, and she loved the dress.
