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A New Vision for an Vintage Heirloom Wedding Gown
When Carrie asked me if I’d be willing to reconstruct her mother’s wedding gown for Beth, her daughter’s, wedding, giving it a new look, I said I’d be glad to look it at. Carrie and her husband Izzy made the trip from Woodstown, New Jersey, with the precious cargo The gown was undoubtedly an heirloom treasure, but I wasn’t expecting the wear, tear and stains.
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Carefully Deconstructing the Gown
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Deconstructing this precious heirloom was a labor of love! It was lovingly, and very carefully washed. Every possible inch of fabric was saved to reuse for the new construction - the bodice and buttons, button loops, beaded braid, sleeves, train, peplum, and lining were carefully salvaged and repurposed.
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Shopping for Fill In Fabrics
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After examine each section, and considering what could be used, and which section would need to be entirely replaced, I headed to the fabric store to match fabrics as closely as possible.
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Reconstructing the Gown
Lining and Bodice
Created a satin bodice for the base and lining.
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Created the lace overlays for the bodice front.
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The satin lining was replaced with a lace inlay.
I made satin bias tape for the facing and added the beaded trim.
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Sleeves
The sleeves had to be completely reconstructed. The button and button loops from the bodice back were used for the cuffs.
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Bodice Back
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Train
The front and back of the wedding gown train ready to be added.
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The full back bodice lining was used until the train was complete because of the weight of the train.
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A bustle was added to hold the train in place.
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Lace backing complete, buttons, button loops, and train added.
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Beth’s Dream Gown!
