Turning my mother's dress into mine

Here is the link to the post I mentioned with some pictures of the dress.

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/taking-an-80s-wedding-dress-and-making-it-my-own-possible-pictures/64e288f91ac68600.html

There is a show now that shows a bride choosing a new dress or her mother's redone. I think you have to ask the seamstress what she can do.

I am doing the same thing. 1979 wedding dress. I choose a wedding dress designer in nashville to do mine. For my first meeting I took all my ideas of what I wanted the dress to look like (long to short). She then drew some sketches. The sketches helped me choose her because I could visualize what it's going to look like in the end.

It might be worth asking for sketches. Also I'm getting a muslin pattern made so she can make alterations to the muslin before takin scissors to my moms dress.

I was planning on asking for sketches. I figured that would be a good idea as well. I really don't have too many "musts" for the dress. I would like it strapless because those sleeves have got to go, I want all of the mesh material of of the dress, and I need to shorten the length. My mom had a big church wedding and I am having a not so formal outdoor wedding. I would hate for the dress to get stuck on something while I am walking! I would like to have a bodice or something put into it to keep the shape too, but in terms of what I want it to look like- I have no idea.

Even though the wedding is really far off I kind of want to get started in the next few months just to give us both plenty of time to work, talk, etc. She does a couple of big projects a year so I want her to take her time with this. I mean... it is my wedding dress. Hah.

Glad to know someone else is doing something similar to what I am doing!

Have you looked at dresses on Pinterest at all? That's where I found most of my inspiration...length from one dress, top of a different one...

Once she looks at it and see's you in it she'll have a better idea of the possibilities

I cannot figure out how to work Pinterest. I have an account. I clicked around for a bit, but no go.

One problem with that whole "seeing me in the dress" thing is my mom had itty bitty arms and an itty bitty neck... so the top half doesn't exactly fit me. It was pretty funny when I tried to put it on after she gave it to me. It didn't really work. Everything else on the dress fits perfectly on me though. I guess I got my father's neck and arms instead of my mother's! Oh well.

Honestly... I think you need to put on the dress and take pictures with you in it and post it.... A deflated wedding dress on a hanger looks uber different when it's actually on someone. Then we can give honest opinions and an actually give ideas that are helpful/useful. It would REALLY help because we can really see what it looks like on you.

Also whenever I revamp old clothes (I do it all the time) I find pics of what I'm trying to describe and take them into the seamstress. So I suggest looking at dresses you like from modern designers and what you like about them print them out and THEN talk to the seamstress on how you can incorporate it into your mom's dress.

Even tough it doesn't fit you we will still get an idea of what its supposed to look like....

My Mom saved her dress in the hope that one of her kids would wear it. I loved her veil, but it's not in great condition. The dress was very 1970. While it is still in decent condition, my mother was 5ft tall and barely 100lbs. I am 8 inches taller and haven't been 100lbs since 6th grade. It's just not even possible.

I posted some ideas on your original post. I actually sketched something for you, but I don't know how to post it. Lol

Jamie B. - Take a picture of it or scan?

MrsC - Luckily I am only one inch taller than my mother. I'm not sure about the weight thing, but I think we are similar

Christine - I am not going to put the dress on. I'm afraid by trying to put it on again I am going to mess something up. And the deflated wedding dress photos were put up to give a general idea of what I was working with. I've never asked how it will look on me, fit my body type, etc. so I don't feel pictures are needed. When the dress is finished I will be sure to let you guys know of course!

Couldn't do it from the mobile site. Here is the sketch. I was thinking of adding the tulle overlay just on the skirt and leaving the bodice shiny. Leaving all the lace on the skirt in place too. The tulle will take the shine down a notch and add another later of depth and interest. I like the idea of having the tulle open in the back to reveal the shiny satin on the train too. The waist needs a bit of definition so I was thinking a satin or even beaded sash following the v shape of the waistline. Sorry for the roughness of the sketches and the cloudy pics. My son drooled in my phone's camera and now everything looks like an Instagram filter. Lol

Oh my! That is amazing! I love this idea! I love the definition you put on the waist line and I love the idea of the tulle! I was wondering if that was even possible. Do you mind if I share this idea was the seamstress when I do meet with her? thankyouthankyouthankyou!

Sure! I hope she can make exactly what you're looking for! <3

I am so in love with this idea. Thank you again. You gave me a way to fix my one major problem with the dress- way too shiny! So happy right now. I cannot wait to get started on it even though I have a long time before the wedding itself.

Would I be crazy to go ahead and start working on the dress with the seamstress in the next couple of months?

Yeah, get started now. That way you'll have time to make any adjustments you end up wanting/needing.

Taylor, did you decide to redo your mom's wedding dress?! I would love to see a before and after picture, as I am thinking of doing the same thing! And the dress looks nearly the same as the one you posted!