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Member since 7/28/09
Posts: 43
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Posted on: 8/22/09 9:26 AM ET
For those of you who have made (or are in the process of making) a wedding gown-how did you cut out the train? My original pattern called for 8 sections, but I am trying to make the skirt as seamless as possible, since it will be bare silk, with no lace cover.
It will be smooth in front, but the back will have pleats/gathers which could hide a seam, but I would like the train to be about 3 feet long, so the seams would show there.

The fabric I want to use is only 55" wide.

Any ideas?
-- Edited on 8/22/09 9:28 AM --
  
Member since 1/27/09
Posts: 428
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Posted on: 8/22/09 10:16 AM ET
My skirt is also bare silk so I wanted to minimize seams. My fabric was also 55" wide, so what I did was make 2 back skirt panels with a center back seam. Each panel at it's widest point is the entire width of the fabric. You can't really see the seam, but you can see pictures of the skirt on my blog.

I think a center back seam is completely acceptable and I don't mind seeing it at all. Good luck on your dress! I'm running out of time on mine!
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Member since 7/28/09
Posts: 43
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Posted on: 8/22/09 11:16 AM ET
In reply to Cisa
Okay- I went for a run and thought and thought about it.

I have come up a brilliant plan.

I am going to cut the skirt in two pieces- a front and a back.

Fold each of these pieces in half and they are only 35" wide (including seam allowance)

Then I am going to use the fold of the cloth to cut the length of the train.

I am not sure if that makes sense, but I will take some pics and post later today or tomorrow and keep this post updated.
  
Member since 4/4/08
Posts: 682
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Posted on: 8/22/09 2:34 PM ET
In reply to tamuchick02
I'm not sure if you were planning to literally fold the silk in half for cutting, but just in case you were I would suggest this.

Instead of literally folding the silk in half, because the pattern is a half pattern as most patterns are with C.F. or C.B. showing a fold line, I would make a full pattern with C.F. or C.B. in the middle of the pattern with a line marking it. Then when cutting you aren't folding the silk in half if that makes sense.
With silk I wouldn't want to make any unnecessary creases as they can be hard to get out.
Also sometimes trains are made as detachable and depending on the style of the dress they can work very well.
It will be fun to see the process of your dress.
Martha
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Martha
  
Member since 1/27/09
Posts: 428
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Posted on: 8/22/09 2:34 PM ET
In reply to tamuchick02
Makes perfect sense to me! That's essentially what I did, except my skirt is so large that it required the full width of the fabric for just half the skirt back. I wound up with 5 pieces all together to get the width I wanted. I have two center backs, a center front and two, smaller side fronts. It was kind of fuss to figure all that out though. I started out with only 3 pieces and couldn't figure out how to get it all out and then panicked that I might not have bought enough fabric (as if I could really go through 15 yards of 55" wide fabric on one wedding dress) :)
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Member since 7/28/09
Posts: 43
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Posted on: 8/22/09 6:01 PM ET
In reply to Cisa
That is a good point about creasing the silk. I am going to be using either silk double face satin, or silk duchess satin.

If I folded it, it would only be for the cutting, for a quick moment-less of a fold than a drape line.

I just finished the muslin and it looks good so far-the fold idea worked.

However, I just realized that the lace I bought is the wrong color. It is off white, instead of ivory. just the tiniest hint of the incorrect color, but against the ivory silk...... It will be one of those things that you look at and know it's not right, but can't tell why.

On the plus side, I chopped it up and got excellent practice at piecing lace and how I am going to drape the bodice.

A second roadblock is the sleeves/straps.

I am unsure how to do it- should I remain as a strapless or try some kind of cap sleeve or cover the full side. I have to ponder that a while longer. Luckily, i bought half again as much lace as I will need for the finished dress (in the wrong color) so I have plenty to play with. I wish i could do something else with it, but it is so obviously bridal.

Still on the search for purple silk charmuse in the right color for the sash and bow.
  
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