Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 32 of 33 of 3

Pattern suggestions? About to tackle my wedding dress, looking for patterns
sophielas Advanced Beginner NEW ZEALAND Member since 9/13/12 Posts: 29	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/12 2:26 AM Hi there, I am hoping you guys might have a few clues about where I should start in terms of sewing my wedding dress. I have been sewing for several years now, but I am certainly not wonderful, with every project is still a learning experience, and would have no clue how to draft something like this, but I am up for a challenge. I would like to take my time and use multiple patterns as a base and guide to help me create something I am happy with. This is the general style I would like to create: http://www.bhldn.com/shop-the-bride-wedding-dresses/windswept-gown I am thinking a very fitted strapless bodice with some kind of gathered/pleated/ruched/wrapped chiffon overlay, then a slinkly long silk skirt with the same floaty chiffon overlay, with a bit of a train. Do you have any pattern suggestions? Or any suggestions about where to start? And fabric requirements? I was thinking this might be 6ish metres of chiffon, but perhaps more? and same for silk underdress? Any feedback or suggestions would be much appreciated!
MaryDB   Intermediate WA USA Member since 2/9/08 Posts: 473	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 9/17/12 9:36 PM This out-of-print McCall 5806 is as close as I've seen for a starting point - you'll have to add a train. Oh, and the "feather-trimmed gingko leaves". (they look like chiffon circles pinched in the middle). Good luck!
couturemom   Advanced NC USA Member since 7/19/11 Posts: 111	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/18/12 1:21 PM You could use B4918 as a starting point for the bodice. Also a revised/cropped version of V8150. Then find a bridal pattern that has a full gathered waist skirt with the flowing train. Please post photos of your progress!
clothingengineer   Intermediate CT USA Member since 5/7/10 Posts: 371	Login to reply to this post In reply to sophielas << Like this post Date: 9/18/12 7:22 PM The skirt would not be too bad, as it is gathered at the top, flared out, and then you would sew on the little draped pieces. The bodice is harder to do on the fly. I took a look, and it seems like what you're looking for is not popular with the Big 4 right now. But I think these bodices from Marfy have potential. (Keep in mind that while Marfy has very detailed line drawings and marks their pattern pieces well, but there's no instructions included. You will need to have a good reference book and post questions here.) Marfy 2643 Marfy 2638 Marfy 812 Marfy 849 Marfy 815: Marfy 885 (not strapless, but very fitted and has the front chiffon overlay): ------ -- Anne http://clothingengineer.com
sophielas Advanced Beginner NEW ZEALAND Member since 9/13/12 Posts: 29	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/18/12 11:41 PM Hi everyone, Thank you so much for your helpful posts, it is much appreciated, and I have looked up all the pattern suggestions you have provided. MaryDB - Thanks for the pattern reference, I had a laugh at the 'feather trimmed gingko leaves' description also, and then had to google what a gingko leaf looked like. couturemom - good suggestions, thank you, I am going to get B4918 I think, for basic structured bodice clues. I will certainly post progress pics, however I think I will be in the pattern studying and muslin experimenting stage for quite some time yet... clothing engineer - thank you for posting all the marfy pics, beautiful! I had not heard of marfy patterns at all (and sounds like a lot of support would be needed to construct), but you're right, those styles are more what I am looking for, and would be very helpful for the bodice reference, particularly. I'd love to get my hands on F2643 and S885. Unfortunately I can't find S885 for sale online anywhere at all. F2643 I can find, but they won't ship to New Zealand! But I will keep trying!
clothingengineer   Intermediate CT USA Member since 5/7/10 Posts: 371	Login to reply to this post In reply to sophielas << Like this post Date: 9/19/12 8:43 AM I happen to have the Marfy bridal catalog and that's where I found S885. I'm in the US so I usually go through Nancy Erickson, but I've heard you could also email Marfy with your information and the patterns you want and ask them to generate a Paypal money request. Keep in mind that Marfy patterns aren't cheap to begin with, and the bridal patterns are REALLY not cheap (S885 is 75 euros!), but they're very accurate and well drafted and fit true to size. I think the accuracy and close fit is what makes them worth the price and lack of instructions. If you really get stuck you could always email Marfy. I've never done it but there's a few other members that have and they said they were very helpful. ------ -- Anne http://clothingengineer.com
sophielas Advanced Beginner NEW ZEALAND Member since 9/13/12 Posts: 29	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/21/12 2:38 PM Thank you so much - great advice. I think I will have to email Marfy, as it seems only certain agents are able to sell on their behalf in certain countries. The more I look at that illustration the more I think it's probably worth the price, their sizing seems very close to my measurements, and in addition to the bodice construction being close to what I'm after, so is the skirt. So! I'll contact Marfy. Wish me luck. And then a LOT of luck :)
Nancy K Advanced NY USA Member since 12/28/04 Posts: 7590	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/21/12 3:12 PM Marfy patterns can be ordered from Vogue patterns. If you are a BMV club member you even get a discount. I don't remember how much. ------ www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
KathleenS   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 11/18/02 Posts: 579	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/21/12 8:27 PM You can order from Marfy direct. They ship to Australia so will do New Zealand as well. The bridal patterns are expensive - there's a lot in them of course - and you'll need other references to help you put them together without instructions, but if they have what you want I'd go for it. It's a pretty dress you've chosen!
sophielas Advanced Beginner NEW ZEALAND Member since 9/13/12 Posts: 29	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/22/12 7:53 PM Thank you! I have emailed Marfy direct to see if they have that pattern s885 in stock (I can't find it on their website), no reply yet though, but if they have it, I'll go for it! Nancy, I think the Vogue website only has the rights to sell Marfy patterns within the US (and possibly Canada) when you select shipping to NZ they say they can't do that. Very frustrating, but not terribly uncommon! If I can get my hands on the pattern, expect to be hearing a lot from me(probably crying in the middle of a pile of chiffon).

Go to Page: 1 of 32 of 33 of 3

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.