Franklin Dean
Wedding dresses are often closed with buttons, zippers, or corsets. While buttons are beautiful, they can be tricky to fasten and unfasten. Brides usually need assistance with buttons, and the task is traditionally performed by someone special to the bride. To make buttoning a wedding dress easier, it is recommended to practice beforehand and use a crochet hook to grab the elastic loops and pull them over the buttons. Some brides also add hook-and-eye closures behind the buttons for added security. Adding buttons to a wedding dress is a popular customization, and they can be purchased online or from bridal shops.
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What You'll Learn
Adding buttons to a wedding dress
To make the process easier, you can use button loop tape, which comes in various widths, spacing, stretchiness, and colours. You can secure the loop tape to the edge of the dress by hand and then cover it with lining. Alternatively, you can create handmade loops with thread. If you want to hide the zipper, you can use a technique called a "waist stay". This involves adding a ribbon at the waist inside the dress, which helps keep the dress in place while getting dressed and allows someone to button up the back more easily.
It is recommended to practice buttoning the dress before the wedding day to get a sense of how long it will take and to ensure that whoever is helping feels comfortable with the process. A crochet hook can be useful for grabbing the elastic loops and helping to pop them over the buttons. Adding buttons to a wedding dress can be a delicate task, and if you are unsure, it may be best to seek the help of a professional seamstress.
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Using a crochet hook to fasten buttons
Fastening the buttons on a wedding dress can be a challenging task, especially if it's a button-back dress with tiny buttons and loops. A crochet hook can be a helpful tool for this purpose, saving time and effort on the big day.
The Nakpunar Crochet Button Hook Tool is a popular choice for fastening bridal buttons. It is designed to easily fasten small, intricate buttons on wedding dresses, making it ideal for closing the long button trains commonly found on bridal gowns. The hook is compatible with different button loops and fabric thicknesses, ensuring versatility for any garment style.
To use a crochet hook for fastening buttons, simply insert the hook into the loop and gently pull it over the button. This process can be repeated for each button, securing the loops and ensuring they don't unravel. The crochet hook's ergonomic design provides a comfortable grip, reducing hand strain and protecting delicate fabrics, buttons, and nails from damage.
Additionally, the crochet hook can be a helpful tool for the bride's mother or anyone assisting with dressing the bride. It simplifies the process of buttoning up the wedding dress, making it a stress-free and seamless experience for all involved.
By investing in a crochet hook and practicing its use beforehand, you can ensure a smooth and efficient process for buttoning up the wedding dress on the special day. This small tool can make a significant difference in easing the dressing process and allowing everyone to focus on enjoying the celebration.
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Choosing functional vs decorative buttons
Choosing functional buttons for your wedding dress means you'll be able to step in and out of the dress with ease. Functional buttons are also a good option if you want to avoid the trouble of buttons on your big day. However, functional buttons can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large ball gown. In such cases, a zipper with faux buttons is a better option.
On the other hand, decorative buttons are purely for aesthetics. They add a timeless decorative flourish down your back and can make your dress look more elegant and expensive. Decorative buttons can also be used to cover up a zipper, which many brides don't like seeing.
If you want the best of both worlds, you can add loops to your decorative buttons to make them functional. This will allow you to zip up your dress and button it closed. However, this might be more difficult to get in and out of, especially if you're using the bathroom.
Ultimately, the decision between functional and decorative buttons comes down to personal preference. If you love the look of buttons and want to be able to show them off in your photos, go for functional buttons. But if you're prioritising ease of use and don't mind the zipper showing, decorative buttons might be the better choice.
Practising bustling your dress before the big day can also help you decide. Buttons can be tricky and time-consuming, so you may want to opt for decorative buttons if you're short on time. A crochet hook can also be a handy tool to help you button up your dress more quickly on the day.
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Sewing techniques for buttons
Sewing buttons onto a wedding dress can be a simple task, but it is important to do it correctly so that the buttons are secure and do not damage the dress. Here are some sewing techniques to help you sew buttons onto a wedding dress:
First, gather your supplies: a needle or two (the slimmer, the better), thread that matches the colour of the dress, and the buttons themselves. If you are sewing buttons onto a wedding dress, you may want to use satin-covered buttons, which are commonly used for bridal gowns. These buttons are covered in white satin on one side and have a softly padded shank on the other. You can typically find these buttons online or in specialty fabric stores.
Before you begin sewing, prepare your thread. Cut a length of thread that is approximately 12 inches long. If you want a stronger and easier-to-knot thread, double this length and cut 24 inches instead. Slide the thread through the eye of the needle and then double it over, ensuring you have equal amounts of thread on either side. Knot the ends together with a basic square knot.
Now, you are ready to start sewing! Place the button on the anchor point of the fabric and push the needle from the back to the front through the first buttonhole. Add a spacer, such as a second needle, toothpick, or pin, to keep the button in place. Push the needle up from the underside of the fabric and through one of the holes on the button. Pull the thread tight until the knot snugs against the underside of the fabric. Turn the needle around and push it back down through the hole opposite the one you came up from. Tug the thread tight, and you should have a single small line of thread across the button, connecting the two holes. Repeat this process for a total of six passes, three for each set of holes on the button. On your last repetition, come back up through the fabric but not through the button.
By following these steps, you can securely sew buttons onto a wedding dress. Remember to take your time and work carefully to ensure the buttons are attached correctly and do not damage the delicate fabric of the dress.
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Tradition of the bride not buttoning her own dress
The tradition of the bride not buttoning her own dress is a common practice, often because the dress has a complex fastening that requires an extra pair of hands. Buttons, zippers, and corsets are all popular ways to close the back of a wedding dress, and each presents its own challenges. Buttons, in particular, can be troublesome, as they often consist of tiny, intricate loops that can be fiddly and time-consuming to fasten. This is where the tradition of the bride's mother, or another person close to her, helping her into her dress comes in.
The process of dressing the bride is often an emotional and intimate moment shared between the bride and her mother or bridesmaids. It is a time for the bride to be supported and pampered, and for those helping her to feel involved in this special moment. Practising putting on the dress beforehand can also be a fun activity for the bride and her chosen helpers, ensuring that the process goes smoothly on the day and maximising the time the bride gets to spend with her guests.
The tradition of the bride being dressed by her mother or bridesmaids also has its roots in the historical practice of "trading" women into a richer family through marriage. In the past, brides were often kept away from the groom and his family before the wedding, as the poorer family did not want to risk the groom or his family seeing the bride and backing out of the arrangement. The bride's true appearance was often concealed with a veil, and bridesmaids acted as decoys to further prevent the kidnapping or rescuing of the bride.
Today, the tradition of the bride not buttoning her own dress has evolved to become a cherished part of the wedding day, where the bride can feel supported and loved by those closest to her. It is a time for the bride to be at the centre of attention and to savour the experience of being dressed in her wedding gown, with all its intricate fastenings.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to practice bustling your dress before the big day. You can use a crochet hook to grab the elastic loops and help pop them over the button.
The bride cannot button up her own wedding dress. Traditionally, the task is performed by someone special to the bride. This gives the loved one enough time to share, reflect, advise, and support the bride.
The person buttoning the dress should start from the bottom and work their way up. It is also recommended to add some hook and eye closures behind the buttons to make the process faster and more secure.
A hidden zipper can be added to the dress. The buttons can be used for decoration and will not be functional.
