How To Make Your Wedding Gown

Easy for the avid sewer.

Posted by Julie

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NOTE: This is for experienced sewers, if you are not experienced please note this will be a difficult project and it may be better to BUY a pattern whether than make one. :END NOTE

So you want to make your wedding dress whether to save money or for that DIY experience. You know what sort of look you want, but are unsure where to begin. If you don't have a pattern yet, don't worry. It's easy-and better- to make your own.

Also, I set the time as 48 hours because it really does depend on the gown you decide to make.
And the difficulty will depend on how much experience you have with sewing, and what gown you have decided to sew. Please keep this in mind as you begin your gown. :)

Good luck!

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You Will Need (2 things)

  • 2 Decorations, Zipper Or Buttons, Various Other Materials I Will List
  • ¼ Any Fabric Of Your Choice

Steps (14 steps, 2880 minutes)

  1. 1

    Before you begin, find a photo of the gown you would like to make, preferably one that shows the sides, back, and front.

    Once you have that, find your materials. You will need cotton, fashion, and lining fabric. I did not line mine because I did not see the need, but if you have an itchy or thin fabric, line it up! :)

  2. 2

    Right now, you are probably going:
    "OMG! Julie, you didn't tell us how much fabric we need!"
    Slow down now, it's easy. If you have ever sewn anything before, you know about how many yards of fabric a gown takes up. Use that amount.

    I bought 9 yards for mine to be safe, but I still have enough for 3 little girl dresses.

    FYI, if you buy more you can make a vest for your groom ;)

  3. 3

    Got it all down? It's time to make the pattern :)

    My gown has leg-o-mutton sleeves, a fitted scoop neck bodice with loose hips, and an a-line gown.

  4. 4

    Sadly, I cannot help you with the skirt part. There are WAAAYYY too many kinds of skirts out there to put a how-to of each one.

    Google is your best friend for this project. Find a tutorial for the skirt and use it to create your pattern.

    If you want the pattern to my wedding skirt, I sell it on my craftsy site:

    http://www.craftsy.com/user/1663753/pattern-store?_ct=fhevybu-ikrdql-fqjjuhdijehu

  5. 5

    Once you have your skirt pattern, make a bodice sloper for your gown. Then alter it to be the same as the dress you are making. (Don't forget to add ease).

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCvR8GhZ8n0

    Here is the link to a video. I figure most people find it easier to see it done. :)

    If you want to make it easier on you, draw out the lines of the dress and mark where a seam, dart, and etc will go on it.

  6. 6

    Yay! You have a pattern.

    Make a mock-up of it. Or a toile if you are all fancy.

    Sew it together and put it on. Does it fit? What needs to be changed? Fix the problems.

    I had to elongate mine by a lot as you can see in the photo.

  7. 7

    When the mock-up fits, cut out each pattern piece on the fabrics you have chosen.

  8. 8

    If you have any beading to do, begin it now. You have to finish it before you sew anything.

  9. 9

    Pin and sew everything together.

    Make sure to use the correct needle size and tension.

    IMPORTANT: Clean your sewing machine very well before you begin. You do not want stains on your dress. If stains do occur, use a Fels Naptha laundry soap bar to wash it off.

  10. 10

    As you sew, use an iron to iron each seam.

    If you need to use a damp cloth over the fabric as you iron.

  11. 11

    Try it on as you go, and one last time before you hem and add biased trim.

  12. 12

    Hem, add sleeves, do the zipper.
    I should warn you now, excuse it for being a bit late, but if you use a lapped zipper you will need to add a few extra inches to one side of the back pattern for the lap.

  13. 13

    Add boning if desired, pretty up the inside and add the facings.

  14. 14

    Add final details, and you are done!

    Enjoy your wedding gown :)