Sewing my gown: refashioning my Granny's 1949 wedding dress into mine

I've been working on the gown solidly for the past few weeks but there's still loads more to do (for an idea, I've listed out my plan in this post)!

I just posted all about Sunday's efforts - cutting out and prepping and hand-basting all the pattern pieces (yes, cutting into the original gown with scissors for the first time!)



Yesterday was my day off so I got a lot done on the initial assembly and piping but there's so much handsewing involved it goes quite slowly. I've scheduled the post to go live tomorrow but you guys can sneak a peek here.



I'm getting really excited - the bodice is starting to come together and I LOVE LOVE LOVE how the piped seams and netting look!

(loads more photos in those two posts if you want to see more and read all the nitty-gritty details about every step in the construction of a nearly-couture gown...)

Squeee! I can't wait to see a picture of you in it, it looks amazing!

Squeee! I can't wait to see a picture of you in it, it looks amazing!

Set your calendar for 19 Sept then because there won't be any until after the wedding. I'm glad you love it so far, too!

Wow! What you are doing is so amazing to me. I can barely do up a hem, let alone design an entire gown using something so cherished as your grandmother wedding gown. I can't wait to see it finished! Best wishes!

Love the piped seams on the bodice. Lovely! 

I've uploaded a few more progress reports onto fehrtrade.com. The boning is in, the edges are finished, I've hand-sewn the zipper and reused the vintage button loops, and I'm nearly done with the outer shell of the bodice... Then it's onto the bodice lining!

Amazing SP! Can't wait to see it finished!

Wow this looks so beautiful already. I wish I had your skills SP!

Oops, I keep forgetting to update this thread!

I attached the skirt to the bodice last week so I'm now 95% finished. Funny how as soon as I had the skirt on, it went from being a pretty bodice to Holy crap I've made my wedding gown!

Latest update here...





All I have to do on the dress is hand-sew the lining to the dress along the waist seam and zipper edges, and do the hem (but I need help for the latter). I've already started on my silk honeymoon lingerie set (nightie & robe using blue silk satin), and I need to make some good progress on my headband/fascinator now, too. Three weeks to go!

Ok, it gets more luscious as it goes on.  I cannot wait to see this gorgeous gown!!

Respect!!! You are the coolest, SP! Can't wait to see you in this gown.  

This is amazing SP! Absolutely gorgeous!

My countdown should include days until we Sp's AMAZING wedding gown!  

My countdown should include days until we Sp's AMAZING wedding gown!  

Don't hit me, but you're all going to have to wait until the 26th because we're having a reception the week after in PA and it's not fair to the relatives coming to that one that the internet should see the dress before they do...

But I can show off the bridesmaids' dresses that I made and a bunch of crafty lovelies in that week in between...!

We won't be mad! I'll be in haze of moving abroad.  But, I still cannot wait to see the final product late September.