Sewing Diaries
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Edwardian Jacket and Skirt
'The Importance of Correct Corseting'
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Other Projects
Pattern: Sense & Sensibility Tea Gown pattern for bodice. I modified the skirt pattern, did not add sheer layers and added a train.
Dress is finished, finally. Scroll to the bottom for pictures.
January 24, 2004: Some preliminary photos of the Edwardian wedding gown bodice. I started this in mid January. The fabric is a cream colored polyester satin, with metallic threads woven in. It's not overly sparkly but it has a nice soft shimmer. I decided to keep the entire gown simple based on this fabric, too much decoration and frills plus a metallic fabric would just be too much.
The lace in the insert is handmade hairpin lace from the 1860's.
The beads are cream colored, hand cut glass beads. You can see how they all vary in color and size. The different shades of the fabric, beads and lace all look very antique, and it looks like just the right amount of embellishment for the bodice.
The skirt: The skirt is the under dress pattern of the Tea Gown with an added train.
February 8, 2004: The invisible zipper was causing me so much grief I took a short break and worked on another 1914 Afternoon Dress. I did a little research on invisible zippers and tried a few tricks- ironing, hand basting, etc- and ended up with a perfect and really invisible zipper! Yah!
Right now I am in the process of hemming the gown. It's a very pretty color. Also, look how different the sash looks from the dress- it's the same fabric!
Since the fabric was so very soft and clingy, I lined the skirt with organza to give it some more stiffness. It gave the skirt nice body, but then the front gathers looked a little maternity. Not exactly what most brides are going for. I arranged and fussed with the front gathers until they looked right again, and I'm basically happy with the results.
For inspiration, I am looking at photographs, gowns and books for pictures of Edwardian wedding gowns.
The wedding dress I'm making was partially inspired by this 1909 evening gown:
This picture is originally from Sense & Sensibility Patterns Vintage Images section- another place I looked for ideas!
Details: There are a lot of fun details to add to this gown, such as the long sash and rosette. I have already made several different sizes of 'ribbon' flowers made of the dress fabric, but I'm not sure where I am going to put them all. The 'sash' you see above is simply a scrap of fabric I had handy, the real sash will be thicker.
March 11, 2004: Finished!
Big pictures:
Small pictures:
Recommended Websites:
Sewing Dresses of the Teens Era
EBay Edwardian Women's Clothing (remember, not always accurate!)
Brides Who Made Their Own Gowns
I thought it would be fun to find brides online who had made their own gowns. There are some very creative, innovative and resourceful sewing brides out there.
New! SewChic-A mom and daughter sew not only the wedding gown, but all the bridesmaid's as well!
Tina's Wedding Dress- This bride crocheted her own wedding gown.
The Wedding- I love the two toned dress and the handmade ribbon flowers.
And just for fun....
A 'Titanic' Wedding Disaster- A story of etiquette horror with a moral about starting your wedding sewing way, way ahead of time!
