Custom Creations
Made from Wedding Gowns and Bridal Gown Redesign
I make Baptism, Christening, First Holy Communion and flower girl dresses from wedding gowns. You can also use all or part of an heirloom gown to create an new dress. Below are pictures of gowns that have been restyled for girls and a boy.
A "generations dress" simply refers to dresses we have made using wedding gowns. These gowns make truly sentimental heirlooms. You are not limited to using only wedding gowns. Think about a special piece you own but do not wear. Would you like to see the fabric reused for either a child's outfit or something new for yourself?
The wedding gown on the left and right are the same gown. Much of the heavily beaded lace was removed from the bodice as were the sleeves. The result is a much more updated look and yet, this still is mom's wedding gown. The sleeves and the appliques can be used later to make a christening gown.
The woman wearing the wedding gown shown on the left and right was a size 24 bride. She is now a size six. She found it painful to think of the gown after having lost such a great deal of weight. Her original gown was made into her daughter's First Communion dress. Beaded lace from the dress was also incorporated into the veil. A beautiful woman regardless of size, the mother was delighted to have her gown transformed for her daughter.
These two dresses are one in the same. We started with a wedding gown that had obviously seen better days. The First Communion dress on the left was made with the fabric and trim from the wedding gown. It goes to show that many dresses still have life left in them- even if they are a bit tattered.
The wedding gown on the left was made into a christening gown and matching cape. Left over fabric can be used in another project such as a quilt, bib, etc. You may want to save left over material for another wedding gown.
The antique gown above was used to make the boy's vest and tie and two dresses. These outfits were worn by the former bride's grandchildren one Christmas.
The girl's dress on the right was made from the woman's halter dress on the left. If you need a dress for a child and cannot buy one off of the rack, consider purchasing an adult dress and having the child's dress made from it.
Below is is an example of how a dress with a tank style top and high back can be remodled to suit your tastes.
The bodice and skirt of the J Crew dress on the left was remade into two different styles. The photos on the right and bottom left, although they appear different in color, were made from the same dress. In the first example, the bodice was changed to a wide spaghetti strap with a v-neckline.
In the second example, the bodice has spaghetti straps and a sweetheart neckline. J Crew generously sent extra fabric to make the bodice on the far right. In both "after" pictures, the pleats were taken out of the original skirt to make the dress more of an A-line.