cdi9c
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IL USA
Member since 2/26/08
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Date: 3/19/09 9:35 AM Hi,
I'm working on my wedding gown and am getting ready to finish the hem on the fashion fabric. The fashion fabric is silk taffeta and it is underlined with silk organza. The silhouette is a soft mermaid style and there is one layer of tulle underneath to give some volume to the skirt.
Right now I have a very lightweight 1/2" horsehair but before I commit I was hoping to get some guidance. I want the skirt hem to have volume without looking so stiff that it looks like a hoop skirt! Is the 1/2" horsehair the right thing to use or is there another weight/width instead? Any help would be great - thank you!
and more pics here:blog
-- Edited on 3/19/09 9:37 AM -- |
DNyght
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MT USA
Member since 2/11/09
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In reply to cdi9c
Date: 3/19/09 10:22 AM I've been seeing horse hair on the hems of ballroom gowns and it looks very pretty, not like a hoop skirt at all. I'm not advanced enough to know exactly how it'd look on your dress, but I have seen it on satin and on a silky-charmuse fabric for sure, and neither of them were all that stiff. I think the widths I saw were 1/2 and 1 1/2.
Hope this helps and that someone else comes along with more information! |
Sew it seams
 
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Date: 3/19/09 10:28 AM Your dress is just beautiful! I love the gathered halter neckline and the deep V in the back. You are doing a wonderful job. I hope you will find a spot for the blue embroidered initials and date. You will be so happy that you included it when you take it out to look at 25 years from now.
I prefer 1" horsehair for the hem, and I don't think it will add any more stiffness to the taffeta. It will look very nice and clean with the stitching applied to your organza underlining. You are doing a very nice job and I'm going to bookmark your blog so I can keep up with the progress.
Debe |
MarthaA24
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In reply to cdi9c
Date: 3/20/09 3:55 AM With my DD wedding dress, converted mermaid style, I'm going to use 2" horsehair that has more body than lightweight.
On a trip through L.A. I stopped at a store there that I know carries horsehair and bought 1" & 2" horsehair, but didn't realize until I got home that the 1" was lightweight and the 2" was stiffer. I bought the couple of choices since I didn't want the dress to look like a hoop skirt either and it is a 100 mile drive to L.A. 
With fitting the muslin, my DD liked the 2" stiffer better than the 1". The 2" gives it more body than the 1", but it is a matter of degrees. The 1" was a little softer. I'm not sure how much difference the width gives it versus softer versus stiffer horsehair between the two. I'm also going to put some bias flannel in the hem to give it a bit of the padded look. That is basted in the hem as well.
Here is picture of muslin with horsehair basted in. click here to give you an idea. The fashion fabric will be Shantung silk.
This will be the first time that I've used horsehair, so I'm no expert on it. From what I've read, the width that you want your hem would be part of the choice on width of horsehair as well.
If you think my hem looks too stiff, I'm sure you could go 1" lightweight no problem, or if you just want a little body the 1/2" should give you that I think.
Martha
-- Edited on 3/20/09 4:15 AM -- ------
Martha |
cdi9c
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IL USA
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In reply to MarthaA24
Date: 3/25/09 9:35 AM Thanks everyone! Martha, I bought some 1" horsehair and I think that will do the trick. I can't wait to see how your DD's dress progresses - the muslin was stunning! |
FirecrackerKTM
Intermediate
CO USA
Member since 3/28/08
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Date: 3/29/09 7:31 PM I am working on my own wedding gown, McCall 3959.
Do I need to put horsehair braid in the hem? |
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