Dressmaking advice needed

[iris lilies]

Do you all know dressmakers? I do. I cannot imagine that my dressmaker friend who makes wonderful wedding dresses, would consent to doing “just the hard parts. “


I remember being in her studio and watching her whip through a gorgeous floaty silk charmeuse fabric that was for a super skinny bride. that look was couture.

[KayLR]

If either/both zipper and buttons scare you, and she like boho, what about lacing down the back? Then you could tighten/loosen as needed.

[Tybee]

I think you misunderstood me, Iris. I have hired seamstresses to do things like put a zipper in a child's jacket--things I don't trust my skill level for. Seamstress, not dressmaker.

Of course your friend would not want to do this.

[Gardnr]

If either/both zipper and buttons scare you, and she like boho, what about lacing down the back? Then you could tighten/loosen as needed.

oh man, the fabric loops that would be needed are really hard to do IMO. Zipper would be much easier. The first time I needed to do an invisible zipper (4H age 14), I did it 3 practice times and then put it in my dress. LOVE LOVE LOVE basting stitch-so easy to pull out.

[iris lilies]

I think you misunderstood me, Iris. I have hired seamstresses to do things like put a zipper in a child's jacket--things I don't trust my skill level for. Seamstress, not dressmaker.

Of course your friend would not want to do this.

maybe. I will bet my friend as a tailor puts plenty of zippers in jackets, so maybe she would do a specific thing on a dress, a zipper. By hard bits I was picturing more multiple tasks on one garment.

[mschrisgo2]

The hardest part of any of those dresses is going to be setting in the sleeves, IMHO. Zippers are easy, if you have a zipper foot. It will be crucial to have the correct thread for the fabric, then the correct needle for the thread.

[beckyliz]

Hand-baste the zipper before stitching. It takes a bit more time, but it will be worth it. I'd also hand-baste the set in sleeves.

[saguaro]

I have made two wedding dresses, mine and my sister's plus a number of bridesmaids dresses.

Some recommendations: If you can get the dress form, that helps. I did not use a form, in my case I had my mom help and in my sister's case, she came over for fittings which wasn't real convenient.

Doing a test version in muslin is a good idea. BTW, you would not have to do the complete dress. You can just make one sleeve to get a sense of fit and length. Make your adjustments on the muslin and use as the pattern.

I used invisible zippers in both dresses. The special zipper foot you would need to purchase is inexpensive and I have found invisible zippers to be pretty foolproof as opposed to setting a standard zipper. You don't have to worry about outside stitching looking even which took me years to get right and even now I opt for an invisible zipper if I can.

If you go with bridal loops, you can purchase elastic bridal loops that make the job a lot easier. I used looping on the lace sleeves on both dresses. I had to make hand made loops on one bridesmaid dress, never again.

Hope that helps a bit.

[catherine]

I have made two wedding dresses, mine and my sister's plus a number of bridesmaids dresses.

Some recommendations: If you can get the dress form, that helps. I did not use a form, in my case I had my mom help and in my sister's case, she came over for fittings which wasn't real convenient.

Doing a test version in muslin is a good idea. BTW, you would not have to do the complete dress. You can just make one sleeve to get a sense of fit and length. Make your adjustments on the muslin and use as the pattern.

I used invisible zippers in both dresses. The special zipper foot you would need to purchase is inexpensive and I have found invisible zippers to be pretty foolproof as opposed to setting a standard zipper. You don't have to worry about outside stitching looking even which took me years to get right and even now I opt for an invisible zipper if I can.

If you go with bridal loops, you can purchase elastic bridal loops that make the job a lot easier. I used looping on the lace sleeves on both dresses. I had to make hand made loops on one bridesmaid dress, never again.

Hope that helps a bit.

Great tips! Thank you!!

[catherine]

So, DD and I had a work session last night. We sketched the design, and chose the fabrics from a pile of swatches she bought from Mood (Project Runway reference--it was so cool getting the swatches in a little Mood bag!).

For you guys who are familiar with fabric. She has chosen a 2-ply silk organza. I was planning on adding an underlining. My question:

Should I have her buy 4-ply rather than 2-ply? The skirt will be slightly gathered--not completely straight. She will have a shiffli embroidered tulle lace overlay. We don't want it to have much structure, but we also don't want it to be see-through. Will the 2-ply be enough, if it has the underlining + the tulle overlay?