I spent a truly inspiring weekend at the Sewing Summit in Salt Lake City. The days and nights were filled with learning, connecting, and planning. I’ll share a full recap next week when I return home.
While I was at the conference, sweet Rebecca got married in the gown I designed and made for her. Today I want to share some photos of her beautiful finished cowl neck wedding dress. This dress is different, in a special way, from anything I have seen before. It fits her just right, both figure and personality. The dress is made of four-ply silk crepe, with pleats on the bodice, waistband, and sleeve hems, a draping cowl neckline, and a fitted straight skirt ending in a mini chapel train.
I loved the idea of this dress from the first meeting I had with the bride, Rebecca. We met at a bridal shop for her to try on several styles while we talked about optional lines, fits, and details. She mentioned not being sure of what she wanted, but as she tried on the different gowns she was able to pick out things she liked, and things she definitely did not. Her aesthetic is simple, classic, elegant, and somewhat formal. And, she is absolutely tiny! I loved the idea of a soft, tailored gown for her, rather than a more structured fit. It took a little discussing, but she agreed that she didn’t need all of the boning and corseting, and that her dress could be more comfortable without it.
The cowl neck came into the conversation naturally, as she told me about her favorite shirts, which are wide neck knit tees with cowl necks. Then, when one of the waistbands that we tried on was several rows of pleats, I thought that could be the perfect balance for the draped silk neckline. After a few minutes more we had the elbow-length sleeves and chapel train worked into the idea. I went home and sketched for a little while, and the design was born.
It’s truly incredible to turn an idea into reality. The process of making this dress, start to finish, took a couple months. That’s a long project for this nap-time seamstress! There were stressful moments interspersed with periods of really fun creative work. The time and stress all paid off when I zipped that zipper, and the dress was exactly as we had imagined.
22 Comments
WOW…it’s amazing!! So beautiful!
Wow. So inspiring.
absolutely elegant…stunning. the drape is perfect on the cowl and the train. congrats! xox
This is simply stunning! It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The details are phenomenal. Great job!!!
This is absolutely gorgeous, Miranda. Seriously amazing work. I wish I had your skills!!
So beautiful! I agree with everything Michelle said, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen! Wrapping my head around all the work that went into this gorgeous dress – I am simply impressed. Awe-some!
This dress is AMAZING!!!! Love it!
You made a wedding dress. A WEDDING dress. I’m totally speechless right now, it’s amazing. I loved getting to meet you and eat your french chocolate
Such a bummer we don’t live closer!
Thank you Leanne! I’ve made a couple, but this one might be my favorite! I loved meeting you, too. You should come visit DC…it’s awesome! xo
What a stunning dress – so elegant
It’s beautiful. I especially love the sleeve detail with the buttons. Well done. Maybe I’ll have the guts to make my daughters wedding dress at least 25 years from now
Totally! But if you’re anything like me, just plan a few months to make it happen…
this is beyond amazing!!!! absolutely beautiful!
Thank you so much Vanessa! I sure wish I would’ve had a couple of your photography tricks during this nighttime, living room, lamplight shoot! A lot of post production helped:)
Holy Moley Guacamole Miranda – this is simply amazing. I am speechless! You made such a gorgeous wedding dress – I am so impressed. The fabric, the pleats, the draping neck – everything is just stunning. Perfection!
Thanks so much Jess! It was a long long process, but worth the time in the end!
Visiting from Oh, Sweet Joy! What at beautifully detailed dress! Gorgeous!
Thank you Brooke! Happy to have you!
just beautiful! congratulations on your creation. i am sure the bride felt the love and care that went into every stitch.
Thank you Erica!
this is gorgeous, something about the pleating on the arms and waist and the slim skirt make it seem like a dress you’d see on downton abbey. great design! i love that you carried the pleats underneath the cowl.
Thanks Dixie! I totally agree. We didn’t specifically aim for a period gown, but with the bride’s love of simple elegance (and Jane Austen) it really came together that way. Thank you so much for the compliment! xo