As promised a long time ago, here are a few pictures of the Marfy wedding dress I made in the class with Susan Khalje (look on the back cover of the recent Threads to see a dress Susan made)
Her class was fantastic, if you ever get the chande to take a sewing class with her by all means do so. They are not all wedding dresses. I’m taking another of her classes – the ‘french jacket’ in October.
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Replies
thats fantastic. You must be so proud .Is it for anyone in particular. What is the french jacket all about?
Marianne
What a wonderful dress! Is that silk dupioni? Those sleeves are beautiful.
I'm also curious about the french jacket.
perfectly lovely!!!
is it based on a group of patterns, or is it drafted from scratch??
i sew bridal dresses in Israel so i'm on the look out for anything new and beautiful.
Raya
How elegant!
What's with this latest craze of strapless wedding dresses? I think in 98% of the bride photos in the paper the brides are half nekkid. :-/
Jean,
I couldn't agree more with you about the strapless gowns, now they have the plunging backs, they might as well just do without the bodice all together! Aside from that, there is so much of a design element in the neckline/collar and sleeves that these brides are missing out on, the neckline frames the face. Also, ppl like me that have very protruding shoulder blades just can't really pull off a stapless outfit, and anyone that has any extra flesh on them, well, we won't go there, I just finished a fashion history class in school, and even during the eras (1930's and earlier) when evening gowns were very low cut/stapless and revealing, wedding gowns still covered the bride with high collars and long sleeves.Yes,the gown is dupioni silk, the bodice ended up being 2 layers of dupioni with a layer of white muslin and a layer of silk organz. it is lined with silk crepe de chine. It is a sample gown, not for anyone at all, I am trying to start a business making wedding gowns, prom dresses etc. Next year in school, I'm taking the collections class where we have to produce our own line of clothing - I will make 5 wedding gowns (all with sleeves and higher necklines). but those will be made out of acetate or polyester fabrics, I can't afford to make more sample gowns out of expensive silk!on the the "French Jacket" it is all the techiniques used by an unamed female french couture designer that is famous for her Jackets, she has an exibit in the museum of modern art right now, her initials are CC. go to Susans web site for more information http://www.susankhalje.com/thank you all for your compliments
Judy
Judy,
The dress is gorgeous! I hope you will keep Gatherings informed of your progress next year (and after).
It's a shame you can't make your collection out of fine quality, natural fabrics. The drape and feel of synthetics is just not the same. Would it be possible for you to contact some local fabric shops and ask them to donate suitable fabrics in return for eventually allowing them to display the resulting dress, or even teach a workshop on sewing bridal wear? Don't know if it would work but perhaps it's worth a try.
Then again, if you think you will likely be working with synthetics professionally, maybe it's just as well to start practicing now, lol.
Good luck - if all of your gowns are as beautiful as this one, you will be a great success.Sue
Wow! Beautiful work. If you want to make covered up wedding dresses there is a definite market for Orthodox Jewish women. A cousin was married last fall and these are not easy to find outside larger Orthodox areas.
Nancy
Lovely work Judy, thanks for show it to us. Good luck with your biz.
Hey Judy,
Beautiful gown! Where are you taking classes at? Is it to obtain a degree in fashion design or just classes for fun? I went to school at the Art Institute and it's just so refreshing to see someone doing what they love and taking their classes seriously. I had an idea for your fabrics. Why don't you run an ad or spread by word of mouth that you are willing to design bride's wedding gowns if they supply the fabric. You'll end up with much nicer fabrics and get the experience of working with clients while your still in class. And they may ask you to do something you have questions about in the construction so you'll have instructors to help guide you through that process too. I think you have an excellent portfolio so far so it shouldn't be hard convincing bride's to be of your work and craftsmenship. Good Luck
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