Wedding Dress- 1920's inspired

This is not a new 'make', I actually made my wedding dress way before blogging was even a passing thought in my (or many other peoples') consciousness.  In September 2005 in fact.  However, as we are getting ready to sell our house, I came across my dress whilst packing and thought it would be fun to comment on it as it was an interesting and fun make.

To start off, and set the scene, I love the 1920's and really wanted a dress that would reflect that period in time.  McCalls 6948 fit the bill perfectly and I chose to make view 'A' (top right) with the cape sleeves and dipped, rear hemline.  I remember that the pattern size was a 16 and I made a few adjustments from there - no FBA or swayback or anything like that as I did not even know these adjustments existed.  Nonetheless, I was happy with the fit.

I used a lot of fabric with this dress - there were many layers!  There is an simple 'V' neck sheath, under-layer of charmeuse, then an over layer of charmeuse, chiffon and embroidered lace.  Under all of that I added another charmeuse 'lining' as I did not want any seams touching me - I wanted luxury!  I am glad that I had the extra layer as when it came to having the photos taken it was getting a little chilly!

I bought some gorgeous beaded lace for the outer layer and yards and yards of different beaded & lace trimming for all the raw edges.  I don't think I turned under and hemmed any edges!  The pattern calls for 11yds of fabric in total, and I know that I bought at least twice that amount just in case!!  The pieces for the skirt are very full and a lot of fabric was used-up there.  This is a dropped waist style with the bodice being beaded lace and the skirt being chiffon,  Where they both joined I added a beaded trim (some of the trim was taken from the beaded lace itself as it had a finished selvedge).  There were also tassels, beading around the neckline and beaded motifs - I didn't go for understated, but as the design itself was pretty simple, these little touches finished it off beautifully.

The little capelet is a single layer of chiffon with a lace edging and is soft and 'flippy' echoing the skirt of the dress.

The dress has an invisible zip in the back (my favorite zipper application), bound armholes (although not bias binding.  Tut, tut!!).  The seams were serged with a narrow seam that did not show - the joy of white on white!

It was a comfortable dress to wear - no boning or worrying if the top would fall down (strapless wedding dresses are great for other people!) and I didn't even get any food or drink down it!

It was not a difficult dress to make and I gave myself plenty of time - I actually made my two bridesmaids dresses out of chiffon as well - they were so cute, and are now grown up young ladies!  Their dresses had invisible zips - I can't get the hang of lapped zippers - and had detachable overskirts and arm warmers that made them look little like 'Little Bo Peep's.  I can't remember the pattern, but again, it was a very simple one.

And to finish off, this is probably my favorite wedding photo - the mountains in the background are the Three Sisters in Canmore in the Canadian Rockies, and this sums up the majesty and beauty of this land we call home.

I would certainly consider this to be my greatest sewing achievement, even though now I would probably do some things differently - FBA/swayback adjustments, French seams etc., but ignorance was bliss, and this was/and still is my dream dress.  So, how about you - what would your greatest sewing achievement be?

Excella Patterns

In February next year hubby and I are moving house (downsizing, but I get a bigger sewing room - how sweet is that?!) and we have therefore been (very slowly) decluttering.  That has included going through some boxes that have remained 'unpacked' from when we moved into this house a few years ago.

Of course this has been great fun, and includes the discovery of some fabulous pink striped fabric shot through with silver - very silky - what to make?! 

I also came across three 1920's pattern catalogues.  I had bought them at least 8 years ago (probably from Ebay) and forgotten all about them.  These photos are from Excella and their January 1929 catalogue:

 
It appears that Excella were in business from 1922-1936 and were purchased by Simplicity.

The 1920's are by far and away my favourite time fashion wise.  Can you imagine how exciting it must have been for the ladies, having been confined to tight, painful corsets, practically covered from head to toe, to suddenly be able to wear clothes that are practical, sexy and comfortable.  Heady days!

I am interested to see that the patterns cover a large size range, mostly 36"-46" bust.  The description under the patterns states how much fabric is required for the 36" size - I wonder if that was a popular/common size?  It also talks about fabric being 39" wide and I wonder when we moved to 36", 44"/45" and 58"/60" wide fabric?  I may have to look into that.

 
Fabric suggestions are also given, and although that is something that we are used to today, it is fun to see what fabrics were available - the dresses can be made in silks, crepe satin, rayon moire (apologies for the lack of accents) and tulle.  It is also interesting to see how little fabric is required for a lot of these designs.  One of the dresses (E2853) only used 3 1/4yds even though it has a shaped flounce that is lower calf length at the back and a long tie at the back.

E2853

I have two more catalogues to share, and I am sure that I have some other color ones tucked away somewhere - hopefully I will 're-discover' them over the next few months!