It's only been about 8 months since the wedding but I thought I would finally bog about how thing went.
I ended up using Butterick pattern B5325 for the majority of the dress and made a pattern fom Butterick pattern 6406 for the top. I made a sample dress out of muslim to see how all the pieces fit together and how it fit her. I had her make aduct-tape dummy which helped me with fitting.
Some of the issues I encountered were matching the seams of the dress pattern with the darts and seams o the top pattern. I think this caus some issues with seams and ended up the dress was too small to zip up all the way. I ended up putting gussets in the back by the zipper. It didn't look too bad, I just wish I had caught the mistake earlier and been able to fix it. The muslim sample didn't quite fit the dummy either but it fit her.
I also was unsure how to add the lace trim to the bottom of the dress What I ended up doing was cut the edge off of the lace that the pattern pieces were cut from. Then I had to measure the dress for length and add zig-zag stiched the lace on the bottom. It was more difficult getting the correct length than I thought. Even with measuring the bride twice, some how it came out a little shorter than expected.
Overall, the fit was a lot better than any store bought dress I have seen. It was gorgious on her and very flattering.
I also made a little jacket ding ome simple modifiations for Butterick patern
B4926. I used pattern A without a coloor and rounded out the front of the jacket at the neck line. The jacket was made out of the same lace as the dres with cording around the edges. I had never sewn cording on anything before. I whip stitched it on by hand. I was not sure how well it would hold up with it being whip stitched to the lace. Unfortunately it fell apart right after the ceremony but made it through the pictures.
All and all, the dress was a success though I am disapointed with some mistakes and flaws that were made. Luckily the bride and her mom were wonderful to work with and appeared to be pleased with the results.
This was definitely a learning experience for me. I enjoyed the project and the new learning and insight I acquired. I am not sure that I would tackle a paying project of this size and type again though without acquiring more skills on fit and finish. My first few sewing projects were prom dresses but this was my first time working with lace and modifying patterns. I have even been urged by my boyfriend not to make my own wedding dress when the day comes. It doesn't help that I am a procrastinator. Maybe there is a class for that? lol
