Regency Inspired Wedding Dress

So my near and dear friend Lisa reached out to me last year, telling me the happy news!

Yay! Getting married! Would I make her dress?? 

OF COURSE!!!

Then...a second call came , with even MORE joyful news....there was a baby on the way!

So, the planning and designing had to abruptly change , because we'd be planning for a 7 month pregnancy body:)

A bit of a challenge, but since the bride had already chosen an empire waist Regency inspired gown,  we were all set.

Finished Dress; shown with detachable train! 

Finding the fabric was easy. A quick trip over to Jagjit Textiles here in Brampton landed us some lovely medium weight satin and a drop dead gorgeous silver net lace overlay.

Constricting a gown that was adjustable was a bit more of a challenge. I knew we'd have to accommodate baby....and so here are the results!

Happy Bride at last fitting. Still some room to grow!

The ribbon tucks in or can stay out, to help adjust over the waist.

Close up of the bodice

I had to cut and shorten the lace trim edge; by hand! New skill!

This is where the ribbon hides.

The front of the bodice was designed to not be attached to the waist; to accomodate a growing bust line.

Before attaching overskirt.

Hand basting lining.

Love and love and love.

Oh...and yes...a bouncing baby came along a month or so later. All are well & doing just fine.

RUFFLE BUSTLES and a Confessional.

I feel like you should say "ruffle bustle" with a mouthful of Peeps....is that just me?!?

 LOL New  "Chubby Bunny" challenge for us crafters....

I love bustles and ruffles and all fun things like that. 

Sadly, when you wear them in your day to day, you *might* get some odd looks. 

However....if you're feelin' a little fancy, and wanna put some sashay into your day...tie one of THESE babies on.... ba-BOOM.

Detailing the ruffles and lace and sequins!

Ruffle bustles have been on my maker's list for awhile now. But I always had other stuff to do. Now in my fancy new room, I can iron, pleat, sew, press & ruffle in the space of a few hours. (Okay, days but whatever).

I started messing around with fabric and lace I already had (hot pinks and fuschias.

Anyone surprised? No? Ahem.)

 and didn't realllllllly plan this, or use a pattern.

 Just going on instinct and what I thought.

After some extreme seam ripping and googling, I realized, I'm over complicating things. 

(GASP, ME?!)

CONFESSIONAL TIME::: Sometimes I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to sewing. I can do it, nice & simply, but then....noOOoo. I have to get all fancy. Then the hilarity ensues. And by hilarity, I mean hours of frustration and seam ripping and trying to figure out why my serger hates me & won't tighten the lower looper thread.

But I digress.

Coming soon to my shop. Simple, flirty, fun additions to your costuming wardrobe...

PLUS Sized - length is approx 22 inches and sash is 85 inches. Shown on my size 16 mannequin Bernice.

A finish!

Ties on into a super cute neat bow. Fits up to 85 inches!

Teeny tiny bows, handsewn for details!

RUFFLE BUSTLES!!!