Crafting A Wedding Gown: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own wedding dress is a challenging but rewarding project. The process involves several steps, from choosing the right fabric and creating a sketch to taking measurements, selecting a pattern, and sewing the dress. It is important to consider the silhouette, colour, and type of fabric that will complement your body type and the wedding setting. Seeking help from a professional dressmaker or having prior sewing experience can ensure a more successful outcome.

Choose a silhouette

Choosing the right silhouette for your wedding gown is a crucial step in the dress-making process. The silhouette of your dress will depend on your body type, the location of your wedding, and your sewing skills. Here is a breakdown of the most common wedding dress silhouettes and the body types they complement:

• Ball Gown: The quintessential "princess" dress, ball gowns feature a fitted bodice and a full skirt. This silhouette is ideal for most body types but can be overwhelming for petite brides with very small frames.
• A-Line: Slightly more flowy than a ball gown, A-line dresses have fitted bodices that cascade out towards the ground, forming the shape of an uppercase "A". They are considered universally flattering and complement all body types.
• Trumpet/Fit-and-Flare: This silhouette is fitted through the body and flares out mid-thigh. It is ideal for brides who want to accentuate their waist, including those with hourglass figures and petites.
• Mermaid: Mermaid gowns are sleek and fitted on the body from the chest to the knee, then flare out dramatically. They are perfect for brides who want to showcase their curves.
• Sheath/Column: Sheath and column gowns have a narrow, streamlined shape that flows straight down from the neckline to the hem. Sheath silhouettes are ideal for lean and athletic body types, while column gowns are better suited for petite brides as they use minimal fabric.

When choosing a silhouette, it is important to consider the location of your wedding. For a beach wedding, opt for soft, light, and flowy shapes and fabrics. If you're having a grand cathedral wedding, consider the season and how much you want to stand out when selecting the silhouette and fabric.

Additionally, assess your sewing skills. Some silhouettes and fabrics are more challenging to sew than others. If you're a beginner, choose a basic shape and a forgiving fabric that allows for mistakes.

Select a colour

Choosing the colour of your wedding gown is an important step in the process of making your own wedding dress.

Although standard wedding dresses are often labelled as "white", there are multiple shades of white commonly used. Ivory, crème, off-white, pure white, stark white, and silk white are just a few. Find one that compliments your complexion.

You can also sew a wedding dress in any other colour. Pastel colours are trendy, including shades of powder, pink and peach. The most creative brides choose wedding gowns in non-traditional colours like red, purple or blue.

In some countries, like China and India, red is considered auspicious, while in others, like Japan, white is the traditional bridal colour. Black was once considered a proper wedding colour in Finland, and in Muslim countries, bright colours like green and orange are used.

If you are wearing a white gown, be aware that there are many shades of white, and it can be difficult to match whites among the outer fabric, trims, and lining. Do not order online without first seeing the fabric in person.

One thing to keep in mind is that light and shiny colours attract the eye more than dark matte colours. So, if there is a feature you want to highlight, choose a light colour there; otherwise, go for dark colours.

Sketch your design

Sketching your design is an important step in the process of making your own wedding dress. It is extremely hard to make your own wedding dress without a sketch. You should sketch the front and back of the dress and mark all the details you would like to add, such as lace, bows, and rhinestones. You can also add these details later, but it is important to have a clear vision of what you want your dress to look like before you start sewing.

You can get inspiration for your sketch by looking at dresses that you've seen in movies or on TV, going to a bridal fashion show, or searching for images online. You can also try on different styles and silhouettes in a ready-to-wear shop to see which one fits your body shape best. Consider your body type, the season, the setting of the wedding, the time of day, your age, your personality, and your taste. If you plan to dance at your wedding, make sure the design allows for ease of movement.

Once you have a general idea of the style you want, you can start sketching. You can use a simple notebook without lines and sketch different combinations of bodice, skirt, and sleeve to see how they look together. Choose the style you like the most, then colour with coloured pencils to experiment with different colour combinations. Keep fabric swatches and trim pieces against your drawing to see if everything goes together. You may have to do this multiple times to get the look you want.

If you're happy with your design, the next step is to choose the type of fabric that will suit your dress. For example, empire waist gowns look good with flowing fabrics like chiffon or silk, while ball gowns often feature tulle. Other popular types of fabric for wedding dresses include jersey, moire, organza, satin, and taffeta.

Choose your fabric

Choosing the right fabric for your wedding gown is essential. The material will influence the dress's formality, style, and pricing. It will even influence the theme of your wedding.

Chiffon

Chiffon is a sheer, lightweight, and delicate fabric that is perfect for outdoor or warm-weather weddings. It is usually layered or used as an overlay to add movement and flow to the gown. Chiffon is a good choice if you want a soft and effortless look for your dress. It is made from woven silk or rayon and has a matte finish.

Jersey

Jersey is an elastic knit fabric with lengthwise and crosswise ribbing. It is a good option for a casual or informal wedding.

Moire

Moire is a heavy, silk taffeta fabric with a wavy design. It is a good choice for a formal, elegant wedding.

Organza

Organza is a crisp, sheer, and stiff fabric, often used to create formal wedding gowns. It is lightweight, airy, and versatile. Organza is perfect for a black-tie-themed wedding and can be worn in layers or alone.

Satin

Satin is one of the most popular wedding dress materials. It has a smooth surface and a high shine finish. Satin is durable and can be worn in various styles, making it suitable for many wedding themes. It is usually made from silk or polyester, or a blend of the two.

Silk

Silk is a luxurious, lightweight, and breathable fabric that creates a glamorous and romantic bridal look. It comes in different varieties and weights, so you can find the perfect option for your wedding, regardless of the season. Silk is comfortable to wear and naturally resistant to wrinkles and creasing. However, it is a luxury fabric and can be more expensive.

Taffeta

Taffeta is a crisp, smooth fabric with a slight ribbing. It is made from silk or synthetic fibers and can come in various colours. Taffeta is a good choice for A-line dresses and full-skirted ball gowns.

These are just a few fabric options to consider for your wedding gown. Other options include tulle, lace, crepe, and brocade. It is important to choose a fabric that matches your wedding theme and that will be comfortable to wear on your special day.

Take your measurements

Taking your measurements is an important step in making your own wedding dress. It is recommended to ask a friend to help with this process, as it can be challenging to do alone and the data received may not be exact. When measuring your bust, put on the bra you plan to wear on your wedding day. Stand with your heels together in a relaxed position when measuring your hips. Do not suck in your stomach when taking measurements of your waist. Wear the shoes you will be wearing on your wedding day when measuring the hollow to the hem. This measurement is taken from right above the collarbone to where you want the bottom hem to fall.

Frequently asked questions