Anna and Alan: Silk covered buttons and hand sewn bias rouleau loops

Anna and Alan: Finished dress - silk chiffon top layer over silk dupion base.

 

Paul and B: Concept sketch for dress - image created by Bridget Tann

 

Paul and B:  The finished skirt - crinkle silk mix base layer, raw silk mid skirt with silk dupion draped top skirt. The graduated tones of gold from top to bottom was a decision reached as the design process developed.

Paul and B: Side view of finished skirt. The three layers are joined through the waist. There is a triple layer dust ruffle attached to the facing of the train.

Paul and B:  Corset detail - silk and metal fabric, cotton lining, hand embroidery and antique brass swing hooks.

Paul and B:  Finished skirt and corset worn over embellished and customised bustier.

Mikey and Ria:  net train support affixed to dress lining.

Mikey and Ria:  the dress itself - turned right way out - before steaming.

Mikey and Ria:  preparing the pattern to cut the beaded lace overlay.

Mikey and Ria:  preparing the lace for attachment. Each motif is stitched to the top layer of dress fabric by hand to prevent shifting.

Mikey and Ria:  finishing the hem. The hem of the dress is cut 5mm short of the edge of the lace to better showcase the detailed edge, then whip-stitched on the machine. The lace is then caught onto the hem of the dress by hand.

Mikey and Ria: I created a monogram of the couple's initials, using the colour theme for their ceremony.

Mikey and Ria: preparing the silk tulle bodice. The pattern markings are transferred with thread, as the silk is too fine to mark by conventional means.

Mikey and Ria:  preparing the edge - the scalloped lace came from the edge of the beaded fabric lace used for the main dress, and was hand sewn using invisible thread.

Mikey and Ria:  testing the placement of the motifs - individual motifs were cut from the lace and placed on the bodice in a line sympathetic to the deign of the dress.

Mikey and Ria:  the lace scallop is used over the shoulders only to prevent the beads chafing the skin under the arms.

Mikey and Ria:  hand covered buttons

Mikey and Ria: final fitting

Mikey and Ria: a final tweak was made to the neckiline of the tulle bodice, as the combined weight of the beaded scalloped edge and the motifs was dragging the back neck out slightly.