Finished Project: Jenn’s Wedding Reception Dress

I broke my usual code of not sewing for other people!

That’s right, I made another wedding dress.  I thought I’d be laid off for a month, and a lovely friend was getting married and could not find anyone to make her dress, so I volunteered.  Jenn wanted a 1930’s dance dress Ginger Rogers would be proud of.  We shared images, brainstormed, and finally came up with a design by cobbling together odds and ends of various vintage patterns to get together a dream dress for their 1930’s themed wedding on Catalina island in the glorious Art Deco ballroom.  Unfortunately I’m a big wuss and don’t like boat travel, so wasn’t able to attend.  Many thanks to Nicole of Paper Moon Vintage who took these photos and sent them to me of Jenn looking fabulous in her dress!  Jenn’s makeup was by the talented Katharina of GoForKat makeup.

Jenn’s reception dress was made of Italian imported silk organza and Italian imported Alencon lace.  We added horsehair to the hem to give it “swish” when dancing, and she’s wearing a vintage slip underneath.  Something old, something new.  The lace was appliqued on and cut away from behind on the bodice front and back to create a neat illusion of a lower front and back than the dress actually had.  The motifs were carried across onto the bottom of the skirt gores to tie it all in.

This dress just happened to be finished just in time to tie in with the schedule of the Sew Fortnightly “Embellish” project.  I know we’re supposed to say time, cost, etc for the Sew Fortnightly, but I don’t want to even think of how long it took.  Jenn’s mom bought the fabric for the dress, and I was paid for my estimated cost of time it would take to make the dress.  Part of the cost of the dress, since I grossly underestimated time, was a wedding and bridal shower gift for the happy newlyweds.  So it worked out for both of us.

Many congrats to Jenn and Benny! Yay!! Welcome to married bliss :)

Thus ends was my brief foray into custom dressmaking again.  Love my friends and “fans”, but I’ve got other eggs in my basket, so I’m passing the custom work so that those who are more talented at it, and love it more than I do.  I’m now retired from custom dressmaking… got enough between regular work and my patterns and life stuff to keep me busy!

Hope your week is much blessed!

Lauren

9 Comments on Finished Project: Jenn’s Wedding Reception Dress

  1. Katrina @ Edelweiss Patterns
    March 20, 2013 at 8:42 pm (11 years ago)

    How lovely, Lauren! You definitely got the 1930s film star look in this dress, and I could certainly envision Ginger Rogers twirling around in something like this.

    Beautiful job!
    Happy sewing,
    Katrina

  2. Laura Mae
    March 21, 2013 at 12:42 am (11 years ago)

    This is simply glorious, Lauren! How lucky is that lady?!? Beautiful, beautiful job!

  3. Debi
    March 21, 2013 at 2:10 am (11 years ago)

    Wowza!! What a beautiful dress!! Ginger would definitely be proud!

  4. Stephanie
    March 21, 2013 at 3:45 am (11 years ago)

    So beautiful! :)

  5. Ginger
    March 21, 2013 at 7:47 am (11 years ago)

    That’s beautiful! I’m so glad you were able to do it for her.

  6. Kim
    March 21, 2013 at 8:00 am (11 years ago)

    Spectacular, spectacular! A wonderful vintage gown. I wish more brides had such a sense of style…well done, both of you!

  7. Sara
    March 22, 2013 at 9:21 am (11 years ago)

    Hi Lauren ,

    what an amazing dress. She looks simply divine ! You have an amazing talent.

    I completely understand on custom orders though ..it’s a hard thing to fit in with everything else in life ..but what a lucky gal that she got your last custom order piece.

    What a treasure !

    Hope all is well with you !!!

    Blessings ..Sara

  8. Alli
    March 30, 2013 at 3:16 am (11 years ago)

    Just stunning! What an amazing dress……you are amazing Lauren! So gifted :)

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close