Clare commissioned a flamboyant 1950’s style dress made in burnt orange satin and ivory chiffon with beaded lace and tulle for her Florida wedding.

Official wedding photographs by www.gingermidgett.com

The fitted and well boned bodice had a sweetheart neckline framed with straps that narrowed on the shoulder. The bodice was made in burnt orange satin layered with scrolling beaded lace. Pretty scalloped edging was used at the neckline and to highlight Clare’s waist. The back fastened with a lace-up back of wide ivory ribbon through loops over an orange modesty panel.

The skirt was made of two layers of gathered ivory tulle, lined in orange satin so the colour just glints through. The same lace as used on the bodice cascades down, longer on one side than the other. Then a sparkling sequin tulle comes down longer still. Each layer of lace is carefully hand cut around the design to give a pretty edge that flows into the next layer. A layer of orange chiffon backs the sequin tulle to give another lift to the colour theme.

I also made Clare a simple ivory chiffon stole.

Details

Detail of the back fastening with ivory loops for the lacing on the bodice and a concealed zip in the skirt

Detail of the beaded lace with a delicate scrolling floral pattern, the sequin tulle and the pretty scalloped edging used for neckline and waist.

The finished dress all steamed and ready to travel to Florida!

Final Fitting Pictures

Making Clare’s Dress

Above, the original design sketch and below, Clare in the ‘toile’ or practice run in cheap fabrics before the real fabrics are cut and made-up.