
Pick-up wedding dresses are designed to flatter the torso and waistline. They are made with parts of the skirt fabric picked up and stitched in place. While some people find them outdated, others believe that with the right styling, they can be beautiful. One such unique wedding dress was made by Emily Seilhamer, who spent five years making a dress out of more than 10,000 Starburst wrappers. She met her husband through the candies, and the dress held sentimental value for the couple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Person | Emily Seilhamer |
| Location | Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania |
| Time Taken | 5 years |
| Materials Used | Starburst wrappers, elastic thread |
| Number of Wrappers Used | 10,000+ |
| Reason for Creation | Sentimental value due to meeting her husband through the candies |
| Other Creations | Purse, shoes, sundress |
| Pick-Up Wedding Dress Style | Designed to flatter the torso and waistline |
| Example Pick-Up Dresses | IVANA, RENITA, O'HARA |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Starburst wrappers can be woven into a fabric to create a dress
- Pick-up wedding dresses are designed to flatter the torso and waistline
- Pick-ups are gathered fabric sewn into the skirt of the dress
- Ruching is fabric folded flat and sewn into the bodice of the dress
- Pick-up wedding dresses are unpopular due to being seen as outdated

Starburst wrappers can be woven into a fabric to create a dress
One notable example of a Starburst wrapper dress is the creation by Emily Seilhamer of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Seilhamer spent five years crafting a dress from over 10,000 Starburst wrappers, a project born from her and her husband's sentimental connection to the candy. The process involved organizing the wrappers by colour, ironing them, and then folding them into links. With the use of elastic thread, Seilhamer sewed the links together to form a fabric, which she then used to create a colourful and unique dress.
The Starburst wrapper dress holds significant sentimental value for Seilhamer and her husband, as it represents their love story. The couple met when her husband offered her a pack of Starburst, and the dress was completed just before their wedding proposal. The dress was displayed at their wedding reception, serving as a sweet reminder of their journey together.
In addition to the dress, Seilhamer also crafted a purse and shoes from Starburst wrappers, showcasing her dedication to upcycling and creativity. Her story inspires others to embrace their unique style and find sentimental value in unexpected places, even in something as simple as a candy wrapper.
Creating fabric from Starburst wrappers combines ingenuity, patience, and a keen eye for design. By weaving these wrappers together, individuals can not only create stunning garments but also contribute to the growing trend of upcycling, reducing waste, and giving new life to everyday materials. So, the next time you finish a Starburst, consider saving the wrapper and unleashing your creativity!
Chicago Brides: Your Guide to A-Line Gowns
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Pick-up wedding dresses are designed to flatter the torso and waistline
Pick-up wedding dresses are characterised by parts of the skirt that appear to be "picked up" and stitched in place. This creates a voluminous, textured look that is especially dramatic in ball gown styles. The pick-up style is typically applied to the tulle or organza fabric of the skirt, which is draped over a structured bodice.
The pick-up design is particularly flattering for the torso and waistline. The gathered fabric accentuates the waist, while the structured bodice provides support and definition. The result is a romantic, fairytale-like silhouette that has been compared to a Disney princess costume.
Despite the potential for a stunning and unique look, some people may find the volume and texture of the pick-up style overwhelming. The fullness of the skirt can be a bold statement, and the added fabric may be uncomfortable or impractical for some wearers. However, for those who embrace the style, it can be a whimsical and eye-catching choice for a wedding gown.
Ultimately, the decision to choose a pick-up wedding dress depends on personal taste and comfort. While fashion trends come and go, the most important consideration is finding a dress that makes the wearer feel happy and confident on their special day.
Groom's Men: Usher Style Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Pick-ups are gathered fabric sewn into the skirt of the dress
Pick-up wedding dresses are designed to flatter your torso and waistline. While they used to be all the rage, some people now consider them outdated. However, fashion is subjective, and it's important to wear what makes you happy.
A pickup skirt is not the same as a bubble hem. To create a pickup skirt, you must first cut and make your base skirt in the fabric of your choice. If you're using a non-sheer fabric like satin or taffeta, a strong lining textile will do. Cut another skirt for the overlay, making it fuller by half the original pattern piece. The length of this overlay should be twice as long as the base skirt. Hem the base skirt to the desired length, and leave at least a 6-inch hangover on the overlay so that you can cut a straight hem after the pickups are done.
To make a pickup, literally, pick up the skirt, moving it up and pinning it to the lining. You want the lining to hang straight, but the top skirt to be picked up and secured to it. Place a pin, then let the upper part of the skirt hang over it. Continue picking up and placing pins, rotating the dress/skirt. You can use ribbons, pearls, beads, or flowers to tack up the fabric of the overskirt to the underskirt. If you want to add embellishments like rhinestones, sew the pickups first and then add the embellishments.
When you've replaced all the pins with stitches, you're done! You can also add netting between the layers for a poufier skirt.
Experience Dream Wedding Dresses: Trunk Show Event
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$44.97 $59.97
$29.97 $39.99

Ruching is fabric folded flat and sewn into the bodice of the dress
Ruching is a type of fabric manipulation that involves folding the fabric flat and sewing it into the bodice of a dress to create a ripple-like or folded effect. This technique is commonly used in wedding dresses to add texture and depth, creating a flattering silhouette.
Ruching in wedding dresses first gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, and it has since become a timeless choice for brides. It can be used to create various effects, from soft and romantic to modern and edgy. Designers often combine ruching with other design elements such as lace, beading, or embroidery to create a unique bridal look.
The beauty of ruching is that it can be applied to a variety of fabrics and silhouettes to suit any bridal style. Taffeta, satin, Mikado, organza, and tulle are all commonly used fabrics for ruched wedding gowns. Fit-and-flare, ballgown, and A-line silhouettes are particularly well-suited for ruching, and it is often used to enhance the bodice, waist, or skirt of the dress.
One example of a ruched wedding dress is the Stella York Style 7681, which features a ruched bodice that highlights the neckline and creates a flattering silhouette. Another example is the Martina Liana Style 1646, which combines ruching across the bust with a plunging V-neckline and low back for a playful and elegant look.
While pick-up style wedding dresses are designed to flatter the torso and waistline, they have received mixed reviews, with some people considering them outdated. Ultimately, the choice of wedding dress style is a personal one, and the most important thing is to wear what makes you happy and brings you joy on your special day.
Short Wedding Dresses: Tacky or Trendy?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$35.57 $44.99
$17.99 $19.99

Pick-up wedding dresses are unpopular due to being seen as outdated
Pick-up wedding dresses are designed to flatter the torso and waistline. While they were once all the rage, they have fallen out of fashion and are now seen as outdated. Some people associate the style with a little girl's Disney princess costume, while others liken it to a marshmallow or meringue.
However, some people still appreciate the style. One person commented that with the right styling, pick-up wedding dresses can be beautiful. Another pointed out that fashion is subjective and that what is considered fashionable changes over time. This person encouraged the wearer to choose a dress that makes them happy and brings them joy, regardless of whether it is trendy.
Ultimately, the decision of what to wear on one's wedding day is a personal one. While some may find the pick-up style unappealing, others may feel confident and beautiful in it. As one commenter noted, it is essential to wear what you love on your special day.
Despite the mixed reviews, pick-up wedding dresses can be an affordable option for those on a small budget. They can also be styled in a way that makes them look modern and elegant.
How to Add Lace to Your Wedding Gown
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A starburst pickups wedding dress is a dress made out of Starburst candy wrappers. Artist Emily Seilhamer made a dress out of more than 10,000 Starburst wrappers, which took her five years to complete.
Pickups on a wedding dress are where parts of the fabric on the skirt are gathered, picked up, and stitched in place.
Pickup wedding dresses used to be all the rage, but now they receive mixed reviews. Some people think they are outdated, while others think they can be beautiful with the right styling.











































