I created a bespoke chanitlly lace wedding dress for lovely Harriet. We started the design with a boned bodice. The sweetheart neckline was covered with the delicate French Chantilly lace. The lace layer has a boat neckline and elbow length sleeves. The a-line skirt is layered satin and silk organza with a small train and slate grey silk-satin sash. The back closed with a concealed zip and feature cover buttons.
Photography by www.barryholder.co.uk
Harriet’s ensemble was finished with a short two-tier veil trimmed with the pretty scalloped lace edging to match her bodice.
Original design sketch of the Chantilly lace wedding dress
Harriet’s chantilly lace wedding dress fastened with a concealed zip at the back but inside a hidden lace up corset created shape and provided support.
Harriet’s sash was made using the matt side of the satin outwards, and covered with the bodice lace on the waistline part. The bow at the back was pre-tied so it would sit perfectly. I sewed the back of the dress to fasten with a concealed zip. Silk covered buttons were sewn on to finish the look.
I made sure the back of Harriet’s dress came with a bustle-up for the train. The back could be hooked out of the way for dancing or walking outside.
Making Harriet’s Chantilly lace wedding Dress
A picture from the ‘toile’ or practice run fitting. I made the toile from cheap fabrics to check fit and style before cutting into silks and expensive lace.
Harriet in the finished dress at her final fitting. The picture on the right shows the train hooked up as if for dancing.
Harriet in the finished dress at her final fitting. Wearing the matching veil as well and a detail of the back fastening with concealed zip, cover buttons and sash.
I added a wrist loop to the chantilly lace wedding dress so the train can be picked up and carried away from the dust when that is helpful. I sewed a hidden ‘something blue’ next to the wrist loop, to peek out when the train is lifted up.
To see more dresses with lace as a feature see this blog post
To see another dress using the same chantilly lace head over to Janna’s wedding dress post
