2008 February | Unique Wedding Ideas

simple wedding gowns
sewers, do you think I could save money by sewing my own wedding gown?

About how much would it cost, or what range, (ie. 20-50 dollars)? Should I start out by crocheting a more simple dress for practice?
I want to sew it, but I wanted to know if getting practice with both crocheting and sewing will help.
I plan to use the CHEAPEST FABRIC I could get.

First, if you sew, you are a seamstress. A sewer is a series of underground pipes that carry waste water and sewage from toilets. One who sews is not a sewer.

In 1981 I made my wedding gown and veil for $40.00. Within a year I had so many people calling me for seamstress work that I quit my job and have been self employed ever since!!

Practicing crocheting will not prepare you to make a wedding gown. Purchase bargain fabric or a remnant along with a pattern marked “Easy” to first see if you are capable of following a pattern for perhaps a simple pair of elastic waist pants or a pullover shirt.

Once you feel confident you can manage a dress. Check out only the “Easy” patterns from McCalls, Butterick, Simplicity and New Look(all pattern books have “Easy” patterns). Avoid Vogue Patterns as those patterns are for a higher skill level. Wedding gowns do not have to be fancy. If you select a pattern with lots of layers and a train, of course you will need more fabric, which means more money. Try to look for patterns that do not require alot of yardage, this will save you money. If you find a pattern that does not require alot of fabric, then you may be able to afford a better fabric because you will not be needing as much yardage. Pick a simple pattern with simple lines and not alot of detail work. If the fabric you select is see through and you need to line the dress, you can sometimes avoid lining if you wear a store bought slip. Fabric costs are so subjective: you can get yardage for 50 cents a yard up to hundreds of dollars a yard.

To determine how much money it will cost: Find a pattern, check the yardage. If you have only $50.00 budgeted for fabric, you will have to divide the yardage by 50 and that is the amount of money you can spend per yard. Remember, there is thread, the pattern and any other notions (hooks and eyes, zippers, buttons, etc…) to add to your final cost.

If you know someone who sews, please ask them to help you select the proper fabric for your pattern selection. Pay attention to the fabric requirements for your pattern or you will create a sewing nightmare if the wrong fabric is selected. Do you know a seamstress who can help guide you through this dressmaking?? If you shop in a fabric store when Moms are home waiting for their children to get off the bus, you will have more help from the stores’ employees to help guide you through the pattern and fabric selection process. Avoid silks, chiffon and ultra sheer fabrics as they are not fabrics for beginners. Try satin and cotton or cotton blends.

If you decide not to make your own dress, try consignment stores and thrift shops. I always see wedding gowns there that are so increadiably inexpensive. And, some off the rack dresses that are not actually wedding gowns, can certainly pass as a wedding dress.

I wish you luck.

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