The first place we wanted to start with the bridesmaids’ dresses for Erin and James’ wedding was the fabric. This was quite the journey through ideas about different colours, patterns and textures. We were quite set that the design would be a long aline skirt for each bridesmaid and different bodices. We ended up with quite a few samples for everywhere we could think of, but when the samples of this fabric from Mood Fabrics arrived, we knew it was the one! And even more so when we locked in the fabric for Erin’s wedding dress as they have similar properties of large abstract shapes and different textures.
Fabric: Metallic Emerald Big Florals Luxury Burnout Brocade from Mood Fabrics
This beautiful fabric is the Metallic Emerald with big florals, which is described as a burnout brocade from Mood Fabrics. You can see the fabric here.
A stunning floral fabric, it is is 61 inches (154.9 cm) wide and made from 100% polyester, with a lightweight industry weight of 59 GSM and has no stretch. It features a stunning floral repeat with a horizontal repeat of 22.5 inches, combining sheer and solid sections within the pattern to create depth and visual interest. The colourway is Racing Green, sitting within the green colour family.
Due to the sheer sections of the brocade, we wanted to find a fabric that would complement the tone and fill under the burnout areas, but still keep the depth of colour. We found this Polyester Shantung in Forest also at Mood Fabrics.
This fabric is 55 inches (139.7 cm) wide and made from 100% polyester, with a lightweight industry weight of 100 GSM and also has no stretch. It features a solid Forest green colour with a subtle slubbed texture, adding gentle variation and visual interest to an otherwise clean, solid finish.
Pattern: Vogue 1902
Lauren chose Vogue 1902, using view A for the bodice of her maid of honour dress. She loved the tuck in the neck and wanted to choose a pattern that would be comfortable and easy to wear all day. A note on this pattern, we found the neck very tight, so we added an extra centimetre at each shoulder seam.
Pattern: Butterick 6556
Nicola chose the square neckline of Butterick 65556 for her dress after hunting through our Two Sewing Sisters Instagram for some inspiration and came across a few versions we have created before.
Pattern: Vogue 9355
Being a maker herself, we knew Kate had a make list of her own, so it was exciting to see which pattern she would choose for her bodice. She selected Vogue 9355 an off-the-shoulder dress with a panelled shoulder piece.
Construction
The wedding was on a beautiful September day in Canberra so we didn’t have a need for any extra jackets or wraps. A key element we have been incorporating into our dressmaking is not only pockets, but zipper pockets. These dresses we no exception. It was a tricky process to resolve at first, working with the top floral organza and shantung to ensure the pockets were hidden but the layers would still be separate at the hem. Erin worked her magic and we all had zipper pockets to be able to our key items like our phone and lipstick leaving both hands free to flowers and hugs.
We also lined the dresses with a cotton poplin. This did an extra layer but helped to finish off inside the dresses, as the Shantung frayed quite easily and required overlocking even when enclosed. It was also polyester, and we wanted a natural fibre next to the body.
Finished Project
Photo Credits
Photography: Acacia & Grace Photography
Celebrant: Say I Do with Suse
Hair & Makeup: Alana Muha
Live Music: Baker Boys Band
Venue Styling: Sunshine Events by Lisa Pateman
Suit Designer: InStitchu
Venue: The Marion
Videography: Love Poets
Cake: Glacé Canberra
Wedding Party Outfits: Two Sewing Sisters
Headpiece: Lauren J Ritchie Millinery
Fabric: Metallic Emerald Big Florals Luxury Burnout Brocade and Polyester Shantung – Forest – Eirian Collection purchased from Mood Fabrics
Patterns: Vogue 1902, Butterick, 6556 and Vogue 9355
Zipper: Heavy Duty Invisible Zipper from Jack Stock
