Many women have envisioned a wedding dress since they were little. Unfortunately, sometimes no one sells the dress exactly as dreamed when the wedding finally arrives. Luckily, you can make your wedding dress as unique and as close to your dream dress as possible. If you want to use the material from your mother's wedding dress for sentimental reasons, now is a good time. The process of making a wedding dress takes vision and time, but it will result in a special dress for a special day too.
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Part 1 of 5: Preparing the Dress
Step 1. Determine the basic model of the dress
There are many models of wedding dresses. You may have already imagined what kind of model does not fit your body. The best way to find out is to try some examples. Tell the designer or dress seller that you want to try all the models to decide what fits best.
- Apple body shape: empire waistline, A silhouette
- Pear shape: dress with flared skirt, silhouette A
- Square body shape: mermaid dress, empire waist
- Hourglass body shape: natural waistline, extra waist accent
Step 2. Consider other factors
Making the body more beautiful is an important goal in choosing the right model. Other aspects depend on your decision. These considerations also help you choose the right fabric.
- The location of the wedding is also important. If you're getting married on the beach, choose soft, light, and flowing patterns and fabrics. If the wedding is in a cathedral, consider the season and how strong the impression you want to make.
- Consider your sewing skills. There are some models and fabrics that are more difficult to sew. If you're new to sewing, choose a simpler model and a fabric that won't break if you make a mistake.
Step 3. Select the fabric
Find a fabric you like and is easy to work with. You may like the feel of a certain fabric, but don't like how it falls on your body. The only way to be sure is to try on dresses made of different materials, just as you would try on models. You can of course choose any fabric you like, but there are fabrics that are widely used for wedding dresses.
- Chiffon: soft, sheer and layerable
- Jersey: elastic knit fabric, with transverse and longitudinal threads
- Moire: heavy, silk taffeta, wave pattern
- Organza: “crispy”, thin, slightly stiff texture
- Satin: heavy, soft and shiny
- Silk: expensive, texture varies
- Tafeta: “crispy”, soft, the threads are quite clear
- Tule: gauze is made of silk, nylon, or rayon, and is widely used for skirts and veils/veils.
Step 4. Choose a color
Although the standard wedding dress is white, there are various shades of white that are commonly used. For example, ivory, beige, bone white, pure white, gray white, and pearl white.
Step 5. Design your dress
After determining the desired model and the fabric used, start designing. Draw the front and back, as well as the details up close if necessary.
Part 2 of 5: Measuring Your Body
Step 1. Ask for help measuring
Measurements will be more accurate if someone does it for you. After designing the dress model, make sure you add body measurements to the design.
Step 2. Measure the chest circumference
Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of the chest. When measuring your body, make sure you wear a bra that will be worn on the day of the wedding. Don't wear anything over a bra.
Step 3. Measure your hip circumference
Stand with your heels together in a relaxed position. Measure the widest part of the hips in a full circle.
Step 4. Measure the waist circumference
Waist is measured following its natural curve. The smallest waist is about 2 cm above the navel. Do not tug on your stomach or press the tape measure too tightly.
Step 5. Measure the length of the dress
This measurement is taken from the top of the collarbone to the hem of the dress. Make sure you consider the shoes to wear on the wedding day.
Part 3 of 5: Choosing a Pattern
Step 1. Create your own pattern
If you have experience making patterns, then you can make your own wedding dress patterns. Use the body measurement by adding 3 cm as the side seam. If you've never made a pattern, a wedding dress is a tough pattern to start with.
Step 2. Purchase the finished pattern
Once you've selected your fabric and model, you can purchase a pattern book at a fabric store or online. Each grade is based on the level of difficulty.
- Make sure the pattern you buy provides keywords/terms, layout and step-by-step instructions.
- When ordering a pattern, we recommend combining different sizes to get a pattern that is as close to your size as possible.
Step 3. Use the right materials
Patterns can be printed on a variety of materials. For example, on tissue paper or stiffer paper. Stiff paper will do better if you are going to use it often. If you want to use tissue paper, print a spare pattern in case the original pattern gets damaged.
Part 4 of 5: Following the Pattern
Step 1. Purchase the fabric of your choice
After preparing the pattern and body measurements, you can start making the dress. Go to a fabric store and choose the fabric you want.
- If you're going to use lace, you'll need a base fabric. The lace will be attached to the base fabric layer.
- There are types of fabric that need to be ordered specifically. After deciding on the type of fabric, make sure you ask if the fabric needs to be ordered or if it is already available.
Step 2. Cut the fabric
Spread the pattern on the fabric and attach it with a pin. To cut, follow the side of the pattern to the appropriate size and shape. When cutting, turn the fabric so that the inside is outside.
If you are planning to add pleats to the dress, be sure to cut it an extra size
Step 3. Unite the fabric according to the model
After cutting, unite the fabric with a pin (outside in). Insert the pin along the remaining 3 cm. Use sculptures to visualize the dress models when put together.
Part 5 of 5: Sewing Dresses
Step 1. Add texture to the dress
The fabric is flat. Once the pieces of fabric are put together, fold, bend, and stack to accommodate the curves. If you want to add pleats, secure with a pin and sew along the needle line. Needles can be removed while sewing.
Step 2. Follow the pattern
Sew the sides of the fabric following the pattern you cut according to the pattern.
Use a vertical princess seam. This stitch goes from top to bottom. You can't make a dress without a vertical princess seam. Pattern already provides it, but if not, you can follow another pattern
Step 3. Sew all the way down
Even if there is some fabric residue under or on the sides of the dress, follow the pattern exactly. The fabric is cut to your size, and a dress that has been sewn is easier to reduce than to enlarge.
Step 4. Try it
Again, you need help. Once all the pieces of fabric are sewn and put together, try on your dress. Make the necessary adjustments so that the dress fits snugly. Ask for help marking adjustments with a pin.
Step 5. Sew the necessary adjustments
Remove the dress and sew along the line marked by the pin. You can also add decorations. If you've already prepared a belt with cobblestones, lace, or other accents, add it to the dress as a finishing touch.
Step 6. Finish
Cut off the dangling ends of the thread, make adjustments once more, or sew any additional stitches as needed. After that, your dress is ready to wear for the special day.
