Wedding Dress Success! Simplicity 1775 & Simplicity 1876 Part One

So, as I've said in a previous post, I made my wedding dress. The fact was that I couldn't find what I wanted in my price range (under $500). I know I had a very small budget for the dress, but I figured it was a Vegas wedding- I didn't need to go balls to the wall!

 I started with finding my inspiration. I scoured Etsy and eBay for vintage dresses. Too bad I don't have a size 2 rib cage...... But I did fall in love with Leann Marshall's design.

I did some more research and realized she has a line of patterns with Simplicity, and I could probably finagle something out of those!

    I used the bodice from 1876 and then made 3 different skirt bottoms, because, well,  I couldn't make up my mind. I did 2 skirts from 4070 and the one skirt from 1755 (which I've made before and loved)

What a goonie face...

The first one has no pleats, just cut on the bias. It's a very flattering cut, but just wasn't enough of a statement for a wedding dress. Dress 2 has some pleats.  I liked the volume it added, but still not enough. Dress 3 has millions (ok, not millions) of knife pleats, giving the skirt tons of volume.

Step one: Done!

Success! Simplicity 1755

I feel so accomplished! I actually, finally finished* a sewing project in a timely manner!  I had this fabric in my stash for a while and I had picked them up at my favorite thrift shop, knowing I wanted to use them together. When I laid eyes on the Simplicity pattern 1755, I knew the fabrics had a destiny. The pattern was really a breeze. Any problems that I ran into were the fault of my own, sleep deprived brain. I usually am hesitant with full skirts, as they tend to make me look hippy. I love how this skirt/bodice combo make my waist look slim(mer). I also love the loose raglan sleeves that fit over my "helga" arms (you know what I'm talking about *points to mom*). I found it a simple delight that the seams and pockets were hidden in the pleats of the skirt. I also lined it with a flamingo pink pop of color. 

The reasons I usually procrastinate with sewing projects is: HEMS AND ZIPPERS!!!! 

<insert a slew of curse words and tears of frustration>

YET! this time around, I think I finally got the hang of zippers, all it really took was one handy trick: 

READ.THE.INSTRUCTIONS.  who knew.

*I have not totally finished this, there is a belt in the works.

It's sooo "back-to-school"!! I need to work on my posing, haha :/.... also, you may note that in one picture I'm wearing thigh high stockings. Well....these photos were taking on a day that reached almost 90 degrees outside, and it was more than likely hotter in our apartment. SO, the stockings didn't last.