Off the shoulder long sleeve wedding dress

 ivory silk and tulle wedding dress by the sea

This off the shoulder long sleeve wedding dress was a delight to make. Alison commissioned a soft floaty gown in silk satin and tulle for her wedding in 2008. The dress was cut with simple princess seams and a fitted, lightly boned bodice with invisible zip back closure. I created the soft look through the use of many layers. On top two layers of soft ivory silk-tulle then a layer of soft ivory satin. Next I used an interlining for strength onto which I sewed the light boning. Lastly I lined Alison’s dress with the same silk satin for a really luxurious finish. All the layers extended to the floor and at the back into a foamy, medium length train.

I gathered a layer of tulle over the bust to create texture and define Alison’s slenderest point, the under bust line.

I designed the ruffled tulle to extend up past the top of the main dress to create a soft open neckline. It has an off the shoulder top edge and I created a fastening with a single covered button at the back. Long fitted sleeves were made of the same soft tulle. The sleeves were also slightly ruched and ended with a soft bell shaped opening.

wedding dress with train

Thank you letter

Alison wrote: ā€œThere is only one word to describe my wedding dress and that is, perfect!

The wonderful thing about having your dress designed for you, is that it can be exactly what you want and will be unique to who you are!

I was absolutely overwhelmed with the thought, time and attention-to-detail that Felicity devoted to making it! When you think how personal your special day is, what could be more wonderful than to have your dress personalised as well. Felicity’s work is exceptional!ā€

mature bride simple understated wedding dress
custom wedding dress long sleeves with ruched tulle
original dress design by Felicity Westmacott

Original design sketch

Making Alison’s off the shoulder long sleeve wedding dress

Photos taken at Alison’s final fitting with her off the shoulder long sleeve wedding dress .

To see lots more examples of wedding dresses I have made for mature brides head to my dedicated portfolio page.

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felicity westmacott wearing a hat

Felicity Westmacott

I write about all aspects of weddings, dressmaking, fashion history, and the human relation to clothing. I welcome comments and debate.

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Sure, my usual role is a bespoke wedding dress maker, creating beautiful and unique garments for brides looking for something a little different. 

But sometimes I'm also a lighting assistant, a caterer, a last-minute-rush-to-the-shopper. That's the fun of being a creative, working with other creatives. 

This was from a styled photoshoot I organised, based on the iconic 90s film, Strictly Ballroom. I made these dazzling neon bridesmaids outfits based around the stunning costumes of Latin ballroom dancers. Our photographer really wanted the colours to pop in the atmospheric darkness of our location, so of course I volunteered myself as floor level tripod šŸ˜‚

The photos turned out amazing, so it was definitely worth it!

Have you ever found yourself doing a job you never expected?

Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Photography @jessicajillphoto
Video/content @weddingstorytellerco
Venues @theoldtimberstore_se1 @malt.maltby
Florals @jemimainthewoods
Event Equipment Hire @cohire
Bridesmaid models @Lisaeggy3 @Boobzylou @oleksanacoaching
Choreography @oleksanacoaching
Hair and Make-up lead @melindabridal @melinda_grant
Hair and Make-up @beccibrushes
Jewellery @CatherineMarche
Neon Sign @thisisasignuk
Shoes @shoesbylarisa
"Just a very quick note from Rome to let you know how very admired your dress was. Lots of people said how beautiful it was. It really was the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. I definitely would like to work out how to potentially wear it again - I can’t bear the thought that I’ll never wear it again!

Thank you again - you truly are an alchemist!"

All the quiet hours designing, cutting, sewing and hand-stitching were all worth it, just to hear a bride so happy with her wedding dress. 

Want to see what this dreamy dress looked like on the day? I'll be posting the official wedding shots later this week. You won't want to miss this one, I promise you. This gown has quickly become a new favourite of mine šŸ’™ 

#bespokeweddingdress
What do you do with a wedding dress that's too precious to forget, but too beautiful to leave in a box forever?⁠
⁠
Last year I shared a wedding dress transformation I had done. I upcycled a Victorian-inspired dress I'd made fifteen years earlier - something only suited to a wedding - into something infinitely more wearable.⁠
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And people had feelings about it. Big feelings.⁠
⁠
I understand that when you really love how something looks, it can feel criminal to see it changed into something you wouldn't choose for yourself.⁠
⁠
But this is what Eleanor chose for her wedding dress. And she, of all people, is the most attached to how it looked in the first place. But as she said, if she'd just had a new dress made for her anniversary, it wouldn't have been the same. This fabric gently held her as a young adult, making a life long commitment to someone else. It rested against her chest as her heart beat hard and fast when saying "I do". It swirled around her hips as she took her first dance. It pooled around her feet as she finally sat down, exhilarated and tired. Now a wife.⁠
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And now this new dress can be with her through so many more experiences, holding those old memories, whilst also making new ones.⁠
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This is what I do - I help your dress live a second life. Would you ever have yours transformed?
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in