Date: 10/5/09 2:35 PM

Hi all:

I just got engaged a couple months back, and I decided to make my own dress! I am very ambitious with this idea, as I have never made any sort of apparel before (besides my dog's halloween costume).

I have a mentor (thank gawd!) to walk me through the process, and she had said we will not start until March 2010 as the wedding is in early August 2010. So for now, I am just learning the basics and techniques with sewing a few dresses; I am working on my first.

Not wanting to have to deal with it later, I have been searching for the past month as to where to buy nice quality bridal fabric (duchess satin or silk organza, alencon lace). Martin's House of Cloth in Bedford,NH as downsized as of last year October with the owner retiring (now they only have home dec fabrics). I checked Fabric Fix in Manchester, NH but that is a hit or miss place with fabric supplies, but definitely has good deals and selection.
I called up George's Textiles, and they are phasing out of bridal fabrics ... everyone seems to be!
I saw vogue fabrics online, and they seem to have a nice selection, but going out to Evanston, IL is quite the trip!
( I live in NH ).

I just called Osgood's in West Springfield, MA, and the lady on the phone said they have a huge selection of fabrics in general, and that they carry bridal fabrics. I will definitely make a trip there! (They have over 60,000 sq ft of fabrics!)

Any other suggestions??


Oh, anyone want to sell their Bridal Couture Book to me? (I called up Susan Khalje's Couture School, and she had said they will be coming out with a CD in probably November 2009 for est cost of 24.95. I do want to start reading tho! So if anyone has one to let me buy this week before I leave for a lengthy trip on Friday morning, let me know! :)

Thanks!!

Date: 10/6/09 12:46 PM

Hi there!

Congrats on your engagement! How exciting! And good for you wanting to make your own dress.

Have you picked a style of dress? It's probably more important to pick a style first then pick the fabric to go with it. Unless you work the other way around - which many people do - pick the fabric first and let it speak to you, then pick the style.

I also live in NH. I've been sewing pretty intensely for the last 18 months or so. Unfortunately, there aren't many places in this area to buy high quality fabric. If I were shopping for high-quality bridal fabric, I'd go online. Specifically if you're looking for silks, you could try www.thaisilks.com. They have a good selection of the basics and very decent prices. You can always order swatches to decide if you like it. Good luck at Osgood's! I've always wanted to go!

I notice you have a mentor to help you out, however, I'd like to recommend another resource for you to check out: The New Hampshire Academy of Sewing (NAYY). The classes are given by Susan Andriks, author of Bridal Gowns published in 2000. Susan was in the custom bridal business for many years and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to dressmaking. While she no longer offers custom bridal services, she does teach classes on all aspects of garment construction, and she even gives private lessons. You can check it out at http://www.nhacademyofsewing.com.

Cheers,
Nichole

Date: 10/6/09 8:39 PM

There is an amazing store in NYC called Lace Star. I had a chance to visit there in August and they carry the most amazingly beautiful fabrics (not just laces). I'd give them a call and request some swatches or make a trip. There are certainly quite a few places you could visit in the city during your search!
Good luck,
Kristine

Reply to hyunjoo
Date: 10/6/09 11:51 PM

I have some info you may be interested in. Please PM me with your email address if you are interested.

Date: 10/13/09 9:48 AM

Thanks everyone for your responses, etc!

NicholeMc: I did check out that NH academy online before, and prices seem to be a lot more than I would spend on a wedding gown ... :/ BUT I am sure it would be a very good class to take at some point. I plan on visiting Osgood later this month or next; before snow comes along!

KristineKay: Thanks for that suggestion! I missed out going to fashion district a few weeks back when I went to visit friends in NYC. I wanted to check out Mood! But I heard it's all hype for that place. So lacestar is a potential place to check out in the future!

petebet: I PMed you with my email addy. Hope it's good info!

Reply to hyunjoo
Date: 10/30/09 8:52 PM

Martin's House of Cloth in Bedford NH has a lot of bridal fabrics. It is on the old RT. 3 heading north of Macy's. Last time I was in there, about a month ago, they had some exquisite fabrics. The amount of bridal did not seem any smaller than previously however they do not have other garment fabric. I think they can order as well.

I also can vouch for Susan Andriks. Lessons from her would be a great move and she can surely suggest some fabric resources for you.
-- Edited on 10/30/09 8:55 PM --

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http://lasewist.blogspot.com/

Reply to solosmocker
Date: 11/3/09 8:21 AM

Maybe they decided to bring the bridal fabric back?

Last time I went, the ladies there told me that all their bridal fabrics are fading out, with only a slim selection of fabrics left ... no duchess satin :(

But I will give them a call later this week ... hopefully they are back!

Thanks solosmocker for the message!

Reply to hyunjoo
Date: 11/3/09 10:03 AM

After you pick out the style of dress, even after you make your muslin is when I'd shop for fabric. Take a trip down to NYC for the most wonderful fabrics. I second Lace Star. Also New York Elegant Fabrics and Mood. Band J has gorgeous stuff too. All will send samples, though Mood is a bit more pitta about this though. The lace is more problematic as places will often not sample very expensive lace.

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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com

Date: 11/9/09 10:43 PM

i used to live in springfield and i love Osgoods. the store is huge and there is floor to ceiling fabrics. a very large selection of formal and bridal fabric. some really beautiful laces and beaded fabric at really decent prices. i bought from them fabric for a wedding gown, a brides maid, and three flower girls. a wonderful experience. i miss them :(

Reply to sysr-sew
Date: 11/19/09 2:08 PM

Thenks sysr-sew!

So at least I know now that it will be a worthwhile 2 hour trip to go visit!! I am itching to go, but scared that I will be overwhelmed!
So they carry duchess satin? I'm sure they do!
Good to hear they carry laces too! I want to embellish with lace.

So much to get done for that wedding! :)