Date: 10/4/09 7:01 PM

my future DIL is 4'11' and weights 95 pounds. What's a good style for such a tiny girl?

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Date: 10/4/09 7:54 PM

I'd look at slim dresses - a full skirt could overwhelm.
JEF

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Reply to SusanMc
Date: 10/4/09 8:23 PM

Yes, she's tiny!

IMO, sleek & without too much volume. She needs to be the star of the day, not her dress. And a big dress would make her get lost. I also tend to think that stiffer fabrics won't work as well as drapier fabrics.

Of course, a lot depends on her style, and her figure. That weight for her height sounds perfect for her height (slim but not too skinny).

1015 is dramatic but still souldn't overwhelm her.

Vogue 8076 is elegent, and Vogue also has the classic 2065.

Simplicity also has a number of nice choices.

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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.

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Reply to SusanMc
Date: 10/4/09 8:41 PM

Has she tried on any dresses yet? What does she like? Perhaps she could find one on the rack in a style that she likes, and then you could find a close pattern and draft a one of a kind gown for her?

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Reply to SusanMc
Date: 10/4/09 10:26 PM

Your future DIL sounds like my DD's twin.

First I would suggest she try dresses on to see what she likes as she may change her mind, if she has anything in mind. In general the RTW bridal isn't really made for short brides, unless the bottom can be whacked off without changing style.

But in general what works best are styles that don't chop her up horizontally and aren't too huge and poofy that over whelm her size.

Either go with no horizontal seams or an empire seam also works, I would avoid a waist seam. Generally slimmer is better than bunches of gathers or big princess type skirt. Also simpler is generally better than too many frills. Best to stay away from anything that looks like it overwhelms her. Also princess seams or gores are very good in that they have vertical lines.

Are you planning on making her dress? If you are you can make the dress more proportional to her.

For my DD's dress, it had an empire seam, gores with pin tucks and a slight a-line going into a more mermaid bottom.
She also wore 4 inch heels with the dress.
thread with pictures of my DD wedding dress

At one store where they didn't care if pictures were taken, here are some pictures of dresses that my DD generally liked, her dress was a take off of the first dress pictured. Most have princess seams and are generally fitted down through hip area, but still vary greatly. I should give you an idea of generally how this type of style would look on someone you future DIL size. In these pictures my DD is standing on a special platform as shoes aren't allowed.
Picasas pictures

One of these days I will write a review of my DD wedding dress. If you have any more questions I will try to answer them.

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Martha

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Date: 10/4/09 10:44 PM

I went to a wedding where the bride was tiny but her dress must have weighed more than she did. Not a pretty site. The dress kind of walked it's way down the aisle! The dress just overwhelmed her. I agree, vertical lines and not too much volume will work best.

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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com

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Reply to SusanMc
Date: 10/5/09 6:44 AM

If you're sewing the dress for her, ask her what style she wants. I strongly suggest that you NOT tell her what she should or should not wear because if she takes it the wrong way, you'll be off to a bad start. Also, the bride should wear whatever style will make her happy--definitely let her pick her own style. Contrary to what almost everyone else is saying, even a voluminous dress will be alright as long as the proportions are good. You can make whatever she wants to wear work for her if you get the proportions right.

Best wishes to the happy couple!
Em

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From what others have said, the nasty message came from Fitting Woes, NOT Misc Hot Topics or the Civility thread.

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Reply to Em's Summer
Date: 10/5/09 7:43 AM

I agree with you Em, and I am 4 feet 11 inches tall - the right proportions and a good fit are the key to a good look. As you say it is also essential that the bride wear something she likes and is comfortable in.

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Reply to SusanMc
Date: 10/5/09 11:22 AM

Quote:

my future DIL is 4'11' and weights 95 pounds. What's a good style for such a tiny girl?

I'm just curious -- did she ask you to sew the dress and is not sure what pattern to pick?

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Formerly Joan1954
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ You can't do things if you're scared. ~Alex Stobbs (google Alex's name)
~ If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
mon bouclier et ma très grande récompense
Gen. 15:1

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Date: 10/5/09 11:55 AM

What about a trumpet or mermaid skirt? How would that look?

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