Caroline Alexander Alterations
Jessica's Story
Jessica's Story
Jessica's story
The lace on the dress had survived very well over time and luckily there was a lot of it to play with.
Pictures 1-3I sketched out a design taking into account of the fabric that could be use and set to work carefully unpicking the dress.
I removed all the lace from the bodice and hem and put any loose beads into a pot for later use.
Picture 4
I drafted the bodice pattern on paper and then cut it out in calico.
The calico bodice was then fitted and comments made on the bodice itself.
The original wedding dress bodice was too short to use but the huge bow had a large amount of fabric in it, so after unpicking,
it was pressed and checked that the paper pattern would fit.
The alterations on the calico bodice were then transfer back onto the bodice paper pattern and cut out in silk and cotton backing.
Pictures 5-6
I then placed the lace in a design onto the front and back of the silk bodice using pins so I could move it around until I was happy with it.
I added the back zip and used piping to outline the top edge of the bodice.
The straps and bodice lining were stitched on, turned out and pressed. I attached the original skirt and let it hang overnight.
Picture 7-8
The original skirt and train was reshaped while on the stand, lengthening it at the front and shortening it at the back to give the dress a more modern feel.
I placed the lace back on to the hem to cover the front seam extension as Jessica was about four inched taller than her mother.
Pictures 9
Jessica came for a second fitting to check she was happy with the work carried out so far.
I then was able to shorten the straps to fit her and bead them.
Picture 10
Jessica in her mothers beautiful wedding dress.
