Tuesday 13 March 2012

Am I mad?

I joked about it in my last post, but since then I have actually decided to make my own wedding dress...however, even whilst I am typing this I am questioning my sanity! Why is she doing this, oh why? why? I hear you ask...


Well...
a) I don't want a traditional dress, I want a fifies style below knee frock with big underskirts (like the picture above - oh how I would like my waist to look like that!), but in a bright print.  Somehow this feels a bit more achievable than a traditional wedding gown with all the embellishments!
b) I've hopefully found a 1950s specialist designer/dressmaker who is local and has agreed to give me some "in the moment" lessons and guidance
c) Wouldn't it be totally cool to wear a one-off, and say to everyone, "Oh this? I sewed it myself...(!)"

I'm meeting the designer on Thursday, but from our phone call last week she suggested I practice inserting invisible zips.  Not one to need any excuse to sew, I had a go yesterday...following a few You Tube videos I found.

First time round my zip was extremely visible! (forgot to get a picture of the sorry state though). I unpicked it and found some advice online to iron the reverse of the zip to flatten the rolled over teeth, enabling stitching much closer to the zip teeth.

It worked!  Here's a photo to prove it:

And what did I sew the zip to?  Well, a little dress for Felix of course!

(whilst I am pleased with the zip and the applique, I am really not pleased with my other dress-making skills, namely, not thinking to add a facing or a lining, making a right hash of binding the armholes, and the width across the shoulders which makes Felix look like she's wearing an overall - live and learn eh?)

 
So back to THE dress...I am told that half the battle will be finding the perfect fabric.  I am also told that quilting cottons will be too heavy, so I am shocked to find that despite the task being fabric shopping, I am seriously out of my depth!  I would not know a dupion silk if it smacked me in the face!

Therefore, can anyone recommend any good dressmaking fabric shops in London or the South East where the service is friendly, the fabric is excellent quality (I don't mind paying for quality in this instance) and the shop carries a good selection of prints?   We are heading up to London next week, to Libertys and The Cloth House.  But other shop recommendations would be very welcome indeed!

x

22 comments:

  1. Oooh, have fun with the fabric shopping! Your dress sounds fabulous :o)

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  2. Um, mental springs to mind, but I have faith in you!
    I'm thinking you should get to John Lewis whilst up in town; when I was at school doing Dress O level, C&H Fabrics was the place to go, but the Brighton one isn't up to much anymore, unless you want curtains!
    Good luck x

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  3. WOW you are either crazy or very, very brave!! Actually I think it's a great idea! You'll be able to make it just how you want it and I'm sure it'll be gorgeous! Can't wait to see how this develops :)
    Can't help with the shops since I'm up north, sorry x

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  4. You're nuts. But we knew that already.... Invisible zipper mastered already is a sign, you're going to do a marvellous job and will look simply stunning.
    I see you follow Tilly, her blog will no doubt help a lot, but also check out Caseys Elegant Musings @http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/ and my personal favourite Debi "my happy sewing place" @ http://fashionsfromthepast.blogspot.com/search/label/1950%27s Debi is such a lovely lovely lovely lady, if you had questions I'm confident she'd be the gal to ask.

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  5. Wow C! I admire you! I know it's a big challenge but it will make you feel even more special on your special day knowing you're wearing your own dress. No clue about dressmaking shops I'm afraid, but I know that it's going to look amazing and can't wait to see it! Jxo

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  6. You definatly have the skills to make your own dress, I adore the 50's style, you are brave though with all the other things you have to do to prepare for a wedding.
    Felix's dress is lovely.
    I'm afraid I can't help with the fabric shops though.
    Emma x

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  7. I haven't a clue how to help you other than cheer you on through the process. And tell you how utterly gorgeous Felix is!

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  8. I will go with you around Soho to every fabric store there is if you want as this is the perfect place for it.

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  9. Good luck - pity you can't find an original - like the last photo on this blog post of mine - would stand out more with layers of petticoats of course!

    http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2011/07/ding-dong-again.html

    I don't think you are brave you are adventurous and good for you!

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  10. I think very very brave might be a slighlty kinder way of saying it ;-). Felix is sooo gorgeous!!

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  11. Oooh go you - I bought an invisible zip once before I read you needed a special foot for your machine so I have never used it! Maybe email Jo from A Life in lists because I think she's quite clued up about fabric shops in London. There are the ones the public go to not knowing any better and the places costume makers etc go to that have amazing choice and much better prices. So knowledge is everything.

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  12. Yes! You are CLEARLY nuts! ;-)
    BUT, I think it's a great challenge, and I know that you'll do an amazing job - and have something completely unique!
    So..... I say "GO FOR IT!!!" and good luck - and don't forget to share the photos!!! :-)
    Carly
    x

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  13. I was told about a place called Lowes off the Edgeware Rd, has all the catwalk end of rolls, but don't know any more than that I'm afraid. Good on yer! I got someone else to make mine! Oh, and just how gorgous is Felix! Utterly delightful as is the perfect little dress too! (saw a bunch of these reversible at a craft fair on Sunday selling like hotcakes for £25!)

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  14. Wow you are brave, but I'm sure you'll pull it off! I'm afraid I can't help with the fabric, I mostly use calico and I'm pretty sure you don't want your wedding dress made of that (useful though it is :). Let us know how you get on though! Oh and Felix's dress is lovely!
    Jules

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  15. Traditionally brides are not meant to make their own dress, but I cannot see why not. I am hoping to make a wedding dress soon for a friends daughter, but it is a bit scary!
    Good luck!

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  16. I was going to suggest The Cloth House...other than that, Liberty`s, John Lewis...I don`t think you`re mad...but daring and brave. Can`t wait to see how you do! BTW, the dress is adorable and then when modelled?? Unbelievably cute!!

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  17. Oh and I've just nominated you for a liebster on my blog x http://isisjem.blogspot.com/2012/03/being-slack-alice.html

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  18. Sorry, I can't help but I have a friend who used to do a lot of dressmaking - I'll ask her tomorrow! I love the dress you made!

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  19. ceri what a brilliant idea and I LOVE ur wedding style already, V classy :)Iam sure you will make a splendid dress, how wonderful that you will have made your OWN wedding dress.XXX

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  20. Good grief. GOOD GRIEF!! Are you mad? Of course you are - but I admire your determination. Have you considered the voile some fabric designers are printing their fabric lines in (like Anna Maria Horner.)I've seen floaty scarves made out of their voile, so it would have the movement, or did you want weight (hence the dupion.) Have you considered a vintage dress that you could alter or add to instead?

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  21. I have never really sewn much for adult clothes, so good luck to ya! I am about to sew my first zipper in a childs dress sometime today... after I make the skirt from your tutorial.. have a great day!

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