George Boyle
Wedding dresses are often packed away, never to be worn again. However, there is an opportunity to repurpose them into something unique and beautiful that can be passed down through generations. Transforming a wedding dress into a christening gown is a creative way to ensure that a dress with sentimental value is used again and again. This DIY project can be done at home or by a professional service. The process involves carefully deconstructing the wedding dress, selecting the right parts to use for the christening gown, and then sewing and customising the new outfit. The final product is a special heirloom that can be cherished and worn by future generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding dress source | Your own, a friend's, or a relative's |
| Wedding dress characteristics | Bows, trim, buttons, brooches, lace, satin, netting, lining, tulle, train |
| Christening gown design | Natural hems, sleeves, embellishments, multiple layers, matching bonnet |
| Sewing tips | Smaller pins, sample swatches, sew gathered sections to flat pieces, avoid sewing over pins |
| Additional items | Lovey blankets, Christmas angel ornaments, memory quilts |
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What You'll Learn
Deconstructing the wedding dress
Deconstructing a wedding dress to use for a christening gown is a creative and sentimental project. It allows you to transform your wedding dress into a family heirloom that can be passed down through generations. Here are some tips and steps to guide you through the process of deconstructing the wedding dress:
Planning and Preparation:
Before you begin cutting and sewing, take some time to plan and prepare. Examine your wedding dress closely and decide which parts you want to use for the christening gown. The skirt portion of the christening gown usually requires the most fabric, so plan the skirt first to ensure you have enough material. Consider the design elements of your wedding dress, such as lace motifs, trims, buttons, bows, or any unique features you want to incorporate into the christening gown.
Deconstruction:
The process of deconstructing the wedding dress can be emotionally challenging, so take your time and be gentle with yourself. It may help to take photos during this process, capturing the transformation of your dress. Start by carefully separating the dress into its component parts, such as the skirt, bodice, sleeves, and any embellishments. If the wedding dress has discolouration or fabric damage, consider having it professionally dry-cleaned before proceeding.
Cutting and Sewing:
When you're ready to cut into the wedding dress, create a plan for your pattern pieces to ensure efficient use of the fabric. Line up your cuts to reuse the natural hem of the skirt and sleeves if possible, as this will save you from having to hem those sections. If you're adding layers or gathering elements, cut the fabric longer than needed to allow for hemming and gathering. Use smaller pins to avoid damaging the fabric, and pin only in the seam allowance area. Sewing with the gathered side on top can help prevent fabric jams. Remember to go slowly and carefully to avoid broken needles.
Embellishments and Final Touches:
Add embellishments, such as bows, trim, lace, or ribbons, to enhance the christening gown. You can get creative with their placement, such as adding flowers or brooches at the waistline or trim along the bottom hem. If you have extra fabric, consider making matching accessories like a bonnet or headband.
Professional Services:
If you prefer to have a professional handle the transformation, there are services like Unbox the Dress that specialise in creating christening gowns from wedding dresses. They work with you to design and craft a one-of-a-kind christening gown, ensuring a smooth and rewarding experience.
Remember, each wedding dress is unique, so your christening gown will be a special and personalised creation. Enjoy the process of deconstructing and transforming your wedding dress into a cherished heirloom.
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Cleaning the fabric
If you plan to upcycle a wedding dress into a christening gown, it is important to clean the fabric before you start. Here is a guide to help you with the cleaning process.
Firstly, it is important to know what kind of fabric the wedding dress is made of and to take the dress details into consideration. For example, if the dress has beading and crystals, it is best to avoid professional dry cleaning as the chemicals used can melt these embellishments. Similarly, if the dress is made of silk, it is more delicate and may be better suited to hand washing.
If the dress is fairly simple and the fabric can withstand it, you can put the dress in a garment bag or duvet and wash it in a washing machine on a gentle cycle.
For more delicate fabrics, hand washing is often the best option. To hand wash, fill a bathtub with cold or warm water and a gentle detergent. You can also add stain remover powder or liquid to the mix. Submerge the dress, or just the dirtiest sections, such as the hemline and train, and let it soak for a few hours or overnight. Then, gently scrub at any remaining spots with a soft brush, such as a toothbrush, and detergent. It is important not to scrub too vigorously as you could damage the fabric.
If the dress is not too soiled, you could also spot clean by applying a stain remover to the affected areas. Place a paper towel underneath the stain to prevent it from transferring to other layers of the dress. If you don't have a stain remover, you can use white vinegar or baking soda.
If the wedding dress is older, it may have slight discolourations and yellowed fabric. In this case, dry cleaning may be recommended to improve the final result.
Remember, it is best to clean the fabric before deconstructing the dress, but if the dress is not too dirty, you could deconstruct it first and then have the christening gown professionally dry-cleaned. This way, you only pay to clean the fabric you are using.
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Planning the design
Fabric and Embellishments
Firstly, assess the fabric and embellishments of the wedding dress. The fabric type and quality will influence the overall design of the christening gown. Delicate fabrics, for example, may require extra care when sewing and hemming. Consider whether there are any embellishments, such as lace, bows, trim, buttons, or broaches, that you want to incorporate into the christening gown. These details can add unique touches to the final design.
Skirt and Sleeves
The skirt portion of the christening gown offers a lot of creative freedom. You can choose to reuse the natural hem of the wedding dress skirt, which can save time and create a more professional look. Alternatively, you can cut and gather the fabric to create a rectangle, A-line, half-circle, or high-low skirt, depending on your desired style and the amount of fabric available. Consider the length of the skirt and whether you want it to be poufier, which can be achieved by adding multiple layers.
If the wedding dress has sleeves, you can utilise the fabric to create sleeves for the christening gown. Consider the sleeve length and style that will be most comfortable and practical for a baby. As with the skirt, you can choose to reuse the hem of the sleeves to create a polished look and avoid the challenge of hemming delicate fabric.
Bodice and Additional Details
The bodice design can be planned once the skirt portion is decided. Consider the amount of fabric available and whether you want to incorporate any embellishments or details, such as a satin trim or lace motifs. Plan the closure of the bodice, which can include buttons, snaps, or a zipper. Additionally, think about any accessories you may want to create, such as a matching bonnet or headband to complement the christening gown.
Practice and Creativity
Before cutting into the wedding dress, it is recommended to create a practice gown using a similar fabric to bolster your confidence. This will allow you to experiment with different techniques and design elements. Remember that every wedding dress is unique, so embrace creativity and customisation to make the most of the fabric and embellishments available.
Overall, take your time to plan and consider the various design options. By utilising the fabric and embellishments of the wedding dress thoughtfully, you can create a beautiful and sentimental christening gown that will be cherished for years to come.
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Sewing the gown
Once you have a plan, it's time to cut the fabric. If you want to reuse the natural hem of the wedding dress, line up your cuts accordingly. This saves you from having to hem the skirt and sleeves of the christening gown. If you want to incorporate specific design elements, be sure to centre your pattern pieces. Cut each piece in a single layer to ensure everything is lined up correctly. Remember to cut the overlay fabric longer than the lining to allow for hemming and gathering at the waist.
Before sewing, it is recommended to sew sample swatches to check your stitch details and make any necessary adjustments. When attaching gathered sections to flat pieces, sew with the gathered side on top to prevent fabric jamming. Avoid sewing over pins, especially when stitching gathered elements. Take your time and go slowly to avoid simple mistakes and broken needles.
Finally, complete any finishing touches, such as hand-stitching, hemming, sewing on buttons, or adding embellishments. You can get creative with any bows, trim, buttons, or broaches from the wedding dress and incorporate them into the christening gown.
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Embellishments and accessories
There are many types of embellishments, and there are virtually endless ways to combine them on a single dress. The most common embellishments include appliqués, which are hand-cut or laser-cut pieces of fabric sewn onto the dress. Lace appliqués are the most common type, featuring floral designs. Appliqués with beads sewn on top are called "beaded appliqués". Appliqués can also be embellished with additional embroidery using metallic or colourful thread. Beading is another common embellishment, featuring pieces of glass, crystals, gems, pearls, or other iridescent materials that have been glued or sewn onto the dress. Beads in ivory and silver are popular for wedding gowns, and they can vary in size and shape. Embroidery and beading can bring richness and texture to plain fabrics. Iridescent sequins and glitter give gowns a decorative twinkle, while layers of fringe add flourish and movement.
Lace is a popular fabric for wedding dresses and embellishments. Lace trim can add elegance and lightness to a garment. Trims can also feature beads, diamantes, and sequins. Embroidered lace trim is another option, as well as lace cording, sequins, and crystal bead and diamante embellishment. Pearls are especially on-trend, with many brides choosing to incorporate them into their dresses.
When creating a christening gown from a wedding dress, you can incorporate embellishments from the original wedding dress. You can also add embellishments during the construction of the christening gown or at the end. For example, you could use satin from the wedding dress to add a trim piece at the waist and for the sleeve binding.
If you are using a wedding dress with embellishments to create a christening gown, it is important to take care when deconstructing the dress. Use smaller pins if you have them and try to pin only in the seam allowance area to avoid damaging the fabric.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to plan out your design. You can do this by sitting down and carefully examining your wedding dress, considering which elements you want to incorporate into the christening gown. It is also important to decide how many layers you will use and plan the skirt first, as it is the largest component.
It is recommended to use smaller pins and only pin in the area of the seam allowance to avoid damaging the fabric. If you are using a section of fabric with a specific design element, be sure to centre your pattern pieces accordingly. Additionally, consider taking photos during the process as it can be an emotional experience.
You can incorporate various elements of your wedding dress, such as bows, trim, buttons, or brooches, into the christening gown. For example, you can place buttons or bows on the front centre and flowers or brooches on the waistline. You can also use the lower part of your wedding dress for the christening gown and add a new skirt to the top for a special anniversary outfit.
It is important to handle the fabric with care as it may be delicate. Consider sewing sample swatches first to test your stitch details and avoid simple mistakes. Additionally, when attaching gathered sections to flat pieces, sew with the gathered side on top to prevent fabric jamming.
