Q&A for How to Make a Wedding Dress

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  • Question
    How do I know what type of wedding gown will look best on me?
    Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
    Couture Bridal Designer
    Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane.
    Couture Bridal Designer
    Expert Answer
    I always recommend going shopping first. Try on different styles and silhouettes to see what looks best on you before you start making your gown—you might surprise yourself!
  • Question
    What tools do I need to sew my own gown?
    Kpoene Kofi-Bruce
    Couture Bridal Designer
    Kpoene Kofi-Bruce is a tailor, couture wedding gown designer, and the Creative Director of Mignonette Bridal and Ette the Wedding Tailor in Chicago, Illinois. With nearly two decades of experience as a wedding gown designer, small business owner, and vintage sewing enthusiast, Kpoene specializes in wedding gown design and the social history of wedding dresses. She received a BA in Creative Writing from Middlebury College and studied the business of fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10KSB program and the Chicago Fashion Incubator and has written about wedding fashion for Jezebel, Catalyst, the Sun Times, and XO Jane.
    Couture Bridal Designer
    Expert Answer
    You'll need quality fabric scissors, an adjustable dress form that can be set to your basic measurements, different sizes of needles and sewing feet—and time and patience!
  • Question
    Where can I buy lace fabric to make a wedding dress?
    Community Answer
    Most fabric stores will have a Bridal or Special Occasions section with silks, sheer fabrics and lace. Another option is to buy online. Look for an online store that is willing to send samples, sometimes for a small fee, so that you can first confirm that the it feels and looks like you really want.
  • Question
    How can I make a wedding dress flow?
    Community Answer
    To make a wedding gown flow, you must pick a fabric that flows. A light satin with an overlay of chiffon, lace or silk organza, or other light weight flowing fabrics, should work. Next, you must pick a pattern that will allow the dress to flow. That would mean a style that is not tight or form fitting. Look at different styles that appeal to you and check the kind of fabric used.
  • Question
    Which materials should I buy if I want to make wedding gowns?
    Community Answer
    Try a nice smooth satin for the dress and maybe some mesh and lace for the edges. White is a preferable color for a wedding.
  • Question
    How do I make the train pull up into a bustle?
    Community Answer
    Check out how to Bustle a Wedding Dress , that may help you.
  • Question
    Where can I buy the hoops to tie ribbons in the back of a dress?
    Community Answer
    These can usually be found in a fabric shop or a dressmaker's shop.
  • Question
    How can I make different styles of wedding dresses?
    Community Answer
    Search in magazines or on the internet for dresses in general, or tops and skirts, and combine them into your own wedding dress.
  • Question
    What can I do if I made the dress too small?
    Community Answer
    Measure how much extra you need and add 1.5 inches for seam allowance. Cut out 2 pieces from the remaining material and sew them into the sides as extension pieces. These side extension pieces MUST be identical so that they will look like part of the design.
  • Question
    What can I use under the wedding gown to make it puffed up or stiff?
    Community Answer
    To add fullness to your skirt, try wearing a petticoat or putting a crinoline underneath.
  • Question
    How many materials do I need to make a wedding gown?
    Curiousguy033
    Community Answer
    An A-line gown could use 5-7 yards of fabric depending on how long the train will be and also the height and size of the bride. A ballroom gown could possibly need 8-10 yards of fabric. A trumpet or mermaid wedding gown could use 4-6 yards of fabric. A Tea length wedding gown could use around 3 yards of fabric.
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