So - let's start with some bridesmaid's dresses. I asked my bridesmaids to design their own dresses, and whilst the adults had a little steering in the direction of colour and style, my two god-daughters (who were 8 and 9 on the day of the wedding) had complete free reign with their outfits.
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| The original sketch of Faye's dress |
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| Photos copyright vollsanger! |
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| Looking cool before we entered the church |
Faye is eight years old (and used to be known as Erin, and before that Poppy, and before that Erin again - she's a fickle pickle! I'd complain, but I was exactly the same at her age), and she had some really specific design features that she wanted, foremost of which was 'spaghetti straps' which I understand are the highlight of sophistication! (Actually, initially both girls wanted strapless dresses, but we managed to talk them out of that...)
I made this pattern from Butterick 4385 and it was a relatively easy sew, although the pattern sizes are 7-12, and I had to make the 8 year old's mostly in the age & size, and the 9 year old's I had to grade down from the age 7!
Both the top and the skirt are made from taffeta, originally I was going to use taffeta bias strips to make the stripes on the skirt, but I just couldn't work out how to do that and have it looking neat... so I cheated and used ribbon! Faye was very specific about the top, it was to have 3 large stars amde out of sequins, and then lots of scattered sequins. I cheated on the large stars and made them out of sequin trim, which made it much quicker and easier to sew (and indeed I stitched it on my machine!) It's not particularly easy to see in any of the pictures, but the other sequins are actually star shaped too! I found them when I was looking for ordinary ones and thought they were too perfect to miss out on!
The back deliberately has no modesty panel (by Faye's choice, once I'd explained what a modesty panel was) - which I was more than happy to oblige with, I'd love to wear corseted backs without a modesty panel - however my days of going out without a bra on are long gone :-( so, I shall live vicariously through my god-daughter! The spaghetti straps are stitched into the bodice at the front, and then they simply cross over and then form the lacing down the back - it's a super quick way to do a fastening and straps for evening wear - lazy, and it looks pretty darn cool!
There was a slight disaster with this outfit, as one of the side seams split (luckily just the outer, and not the lining) - I expect this was a combination of: overlocking too close to the seam, my ruthlessly lacing her in tight (I need to learn how to lace a corset loosely some day) and then Faye being a regular 8 year old and running around like a mad cap! Unfortunately, as this happened during the reception, I was entirely unable to do anything about it - failure as a godmother! I did however assure her that all photographs would be taken of the undamaged side.
Next week I'll talk you through her older sister's dress(es!)
I made this pattern from Butterick 4385 and it was a relatively easy sew, although the pattern sizes are 7-12, and I had to make the 8 year old's mostly in the age & size, and the 9 year old's I had to grade down from the age 7!
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| This girl has some serious style! |
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| You can just make out the back here |
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| This is Faye being less-than-pleased at me for not carrying a sewing kit! |
Next week I'll talk you through her older sister's dress(es!)
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| Me and all of my bridesmaids - Faye is flying |
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