So, I made this beautiful (I think) dress for Cassie’s wedding.
I had early settled upon the beautiful bohemian Carole dress by Fibre Mood … for several reasons. Firstly; I already have the pattern printed out AND had made it up previously too and so knew I didn’t need to do any more special fittings of the pattern to myself. Time-saver! And secondly, I thought it was a gorgeous style too, of course!
I found the beautiful floral print in Fabulous Fabrics. It is a silk/cotton and the most divinely luxurious stuff to sew and to wear. It is also just about completely see-through, so my dress is underlined fully with soft ivory lining fabric.
I basted underlining and outer shell pieces together along the seamlines first, then overlocked the raw edges together before stitching the seams
The underlining is cut 4cm shorter than the dress with a machine-finished hem, but the outer shell hem is stitched in a narrow hem with tiny fell-stitches. I hand basted the facings to the underlining with tiny invisible stitches at both the front fold and the overlocked edge to the inside too.
My label!
Side view… I absolutely adore the gentle high-low nature of this beautifully twirly hem!
So I actually made this dress back in January, when I had a bit of spare time in between bridesmaids and bridesmaid fittings, and I’m so glad I did. The last little bit leading into the wedding was SUPER stressful…
this counts as my make-nine-but-actually-twelve thing for March…
and OH! I almost forgot! just like I did for Tim’s wedding outfit, I quickly whipped up a matching bra and undies for this outfit too…
Well… it sorta? matches?! I think it’s close enough, anyway. It was actually damn difficult to find fabric even vaguely matching in either colour or design!
I used my favourite pattern the Watson by cloth habit, and cotton jersey from Spotlight. The red ribbons were saved from an old, also me-made, lingerie set, and I made my usual two pairs of matching knickers…
Details:
Dress; the Carole pattern by FibreMood, silk/cotton from Fabulous Fabrics
Lingerie; the Cloth Habit Watson
Shoes; Zomp, from the Zomp boutique
I took these pictures back in mid-January, so this is the happy face of a woman who has not even heard of the novel corona virus… so hard to remember those innocent times now!
I’m a bit torn here; I’ve either finished saying everything I need to say about the dress, OR I can address the obvious elephant in the room.
As mentioned, I actually made the dress way back in January, when I hadn’t fully got revved up with the more … maybe important? shall we say? wedding sewing, and decided to just run mine up in a quiet week, in between bride and bridesmaids’ fittings, and before things got more hectic. And, oh my gosh, but did they get more hectic. I was making Cassies’, very involved, wedding dress, and her three bridesmaids’ dresses, this dress here, and I also ended up making my Mum’s dress too, when she was getting overwhelmed at the thought of it. It’s been … a lot… emotionally as well as workload-wise. As well of course as we all know; approaching like an invisible tsunami from the other side of the globe was Covid-19; and none of us had any concept just how much the world was going to change in the following few months. I really really appreciate that we are so extremely lucky here in Perth to be so isolated, that the situation here is far far less severe than in other countries, and that our government is right on top of things and has shut down the country in, hopefully, good time.
So yes, Cassie’s wedding did indeed go ahead; with good fortune the date was set for the very last weekend before restrictions started to really ramp up here in Perth, Western Australia. When I say ramped up, well the number of people allowed at a gathering have been reduced, and reduced and reduced! specifically, first it was 500, which went quite rapidly down to 100, then to 10, then 5, then 2! At the time of the wedding, the number was 100. Let me say; I’m not complaining, and I am most definitely very pro-lockdown to control the spread of the virus, but at the same time I have to admit to being so very retrospectively glad that the timing of our wedding meant we were able to go ahead as planned. We were worrying right up until the night before, when we got the legal go ahead with very few adjustments needed. We were fortunate that our numbers were already small, we had no guests that were coming in from out of the country or even the state, our venues were big enough to comply with the (at the time) 4 square metres per person rule, and we had already made preparations to protect our elderly relatives, like face masks and hand sanitiser – purchased at great expense! was available at each venue. We also pro-actively made a no contact rule; absolutely no hand-shaking, hugging or kissing. It is so so strange to lay out these guidelines for a wedding, but these are very strange and scary times and such rules helped put everyone’s mind at peace. Everything went off as planned, and a couple of weeks later everyone is still healthy and well, for which we are so enormously relieved that I can hardly find the words for it.
It’s almost impossible for me to reconcile this time when we were fully allowed to gather together to celebrate our darling daughter’s wedding as a family; with now, a few weeks later, when we are not seeing anyone in our family AT ALL.
Anyway, that’s the story. Small things to worry about really, at a terrible and terrifying time like this. I sincerely hope everyone who reads this is safe and healthy, and continues to be so, and that you and your loved ones are able to access good health care if you should need it.
Beautiful dress and woman. I’m sure Cassie was stunning, glad she was able to have the delight of her wedding before more stringent restrictions. It feels strange, doesn’t it, not to see family at all, for me the most difficult part. Am happy for all of you and family, best wishes to Cassie/partner.
I’m so glad that the wedding went ahead, despite the restrictions. These are very strange days indeed.
You look so beautiful in that dress. It’s stunning.
I can only imagine the stress leading up to this wedding, the event which was probably balancing on a knife’s edge.
You look lovely in your mother-of-the-bride dress Carolyn! This dress will years from now be testament to that surreal time when the world was reeling from a catastrophe, but as with all things we look forward with hope to better, healthier times and the joy of just getting back to normal, routine life.
And we think of all the health care professionals like your husband and my son – we salute their dedication to their profession and humanity in crisis.
May you and you family be blessed.
Hello Carolyn,
This is a very inspiring post. I could not believe that this Fibremood pattern can look so good.
I do very much think i will make it try fir myself.
Thank you.
Angela
It’s a lovely dress, and I’m glad that Cassie’s wedding was able to go off as planned. I have a cousin who was supposed to get married in the beginning of May, and she’s had to postpone it. Especially since her fiance and his entire family live halfway across the country, and none of them can travel here now. It’s crazy how much has changed in just a few short weeks.
That is wonderful how you handled the wedding and made sure everyone was safe and stayed in good health. So absolutely kind and more than kind of you to take all those precautions.
You look lovely as always, beautiful dress, and we all look forward to the wedding photos. No rush, take care, breathe deeply after all the stress.
Yes, it is very odd to be separated from family during this time. We wave to our grandchildren from cars and use the internet to connect at all times. Keep safe.
Absolutely gorgeous dress! And you look beautiful in it. (You definitely bring to mind old movies with women “swanning” around in silk dresses.) I cannot even guess how stressful it was to do all the wedding prep with the coronavirus on the horizon – how horrible! But I am glad it all worked out. I hope you and yours remain healthy, and congratulations to Cassie.
The dress is beautiful and you’re amazing. I can’t imagine how you pulled off sewing your dress, your daughter’s wedding dress, three bridesmaid dresses and your Mom’s dress during this surreal time. Congratulations to your daughter and your family. So glad to read that everyone is safe even though we’re not seeing our love ones in person it was a blessing that the wedding was celebrated. Stay safe and healthy as you treasure the memories you created around Cassie’s wedding.
It is an absolutely beautiful dress! My own wedding is coming in early June, and we have no idea what it will look like, so I’m greatly sympathetic. I’m plugging away at sewing my own dress, in the hopes that I’ll wear it in June at whatever wedding we have, and then possibly again if we later have a larger celebration.
Reading your story brought tears to my eyes Caroline. I felt keenly the anxiety of COVID-19 topping the anticipation/worry which marks any wedding planning. How brilliantly you worked to keep everyone safe and what a joy to bring to everyone attending, a memory just before visits have been completely stopped. Congratulations to you all!
your dress is beautiful and those colors are lovely on you. Love that fabric what a nice choice, silk/cotton is a fantastic blend. I’m glad you were able to have the wedding despite the changes. also happy to hear everyone is well. take care and sending a virtual hug 🙂
Oh, Carolyn, what a story! First, your dress is the most beautiful mother-of-bride dress! Feminine, floaty and cheerfully elegant if I can say so. But the main thing is indeed that you were able to celebrate all together before the shutdown and no one got infected. So you can lean back now and enjoy the memories of your beautiful daughter’s wedding. Please send my best wishes for their future life together to both of them!
Stay all safe!
Xxx SaSa
Hello Carolyn, and thank you for sharing this post with all of us. Funnily enough, around the time of a birthday party I gave for myself and 3 friends in late January I started to wonder about this virus we were starting to hear of. I educated myself as much as possible through news articles, Med Cram and John Campbell on YouTube. And I thought of you and your sewing for your upcoming wedding for your beautiful daughter, and if it would be affected, as the more we learned of the seriousness and capricious nature of this virus. I am so delighted to learn that the wedding went ahead. So many plans around the world have been changed, and so many lives deeply affected, and loss and illness, death. You look beautiful, as I’m sure all the rest of the party did. So nice to think of people able to gather. Love from Seattle. Jeannie
Beautiful pattern executed to perfection! Love the print and the low/hi hem. Congrats on success of all that you created for the wedding. Very happy to hear it was held before this huge health challenge started. Stay well, keep sewing! Always enjoy your voice.
Hi Caroline. Your dress is stunning, beautifully made and worn with panache. I am glad you told us the story and that you had some sort of celebration. for Cassie. You have indeed been very lucky. Stay safe. Jo x
Lovely to read, beautiful dress and so happy for you all the wedding was held and no one became ill afterwards. My niece was married on this side of the continent on January 18th. I talked with people then about the virus – some hadn’t heard about it, others saying it wont come here! In Victoria the Private health system is now being integrated into the State system and plans for expanded intensive care units and training of staff to be ready for the ‘peak, surge’ in 8 to 12 weeks time. Guess that means community activities, businesses, schools, etc won’t be back for 3 + months. Please keep posting as it is good to read about non V things.
Sam the Aussie.
Dear Carolyn, I’m very glad that Cassie’s wedding were able to go off as planned and all the guests have been fine so far. Well done on all preparations! You look stunning in the beautiful dress, as always. I’m sure all other dresses you made for this event must be beautiful too. Please take a good rest and stay healthy. See you sometime after this situation<3
Beautiful dress, and I’m sure it worked magnificently for the occasion. You were very wise to prioritise your own dress way back as things often take a weird turn. No one expected it to get quite this weird though! So glad the wedding went ahead happily and safely.
Beautiful dress and you look stunning in it, glad to hear that you still could celebrate the wedding. Also glad to hear that you are all still healthy. Here in Switzerland we also have shut down all non-essential activities and all people who can work from home do so. Stay safe and I hope we can soon talk about a better time again. Best wishes to Cassie and her new husband. Anita from Basel
Such a beautiful dress, I love the fabric choice as well. It looks just perfect on you! I too have a daughter who was to be married in France in June and that has now been postponed indefinitely sadly, but what has to be done as she lives in London Uk and the parents on both sides live in Canada. I was also to sew the brides dress and 4 bridesmaids dresses and my own. I had not yet found the pattern for mine, but I think I’ll order this pattern you used and make up a trial dress as I have the time now to be picky! Do you have a post of the first draft of this dress you did for me to see the adjustments you did the first time around?
Your dress is lovely – I’ve already bought the pattern after you featured it a while back, and the fabric I’ve bought is like a dark version of yours. I’m going to need to underline it too, so thanks for the helpful details and the clear pics.
That is a perfect dress for you – colour, style, fabric are just gorgeous. I’m a big fan of high-low and soft swishy designs like this although I can’t wear wrap around (too much to wrap around!). And cotton-silk, such a lovely fabric.
It’s so good to hear about how people are fitting in happy events amongst all of this. I’m really glad you were all able to get together and spread some love around to keep you going through the next few weeks/months. Take care xx
My son and new DIL are so happy they decided to get married in 2019. 2020 was the trendy year to get married, – just for the date. So many unknowns hit us all at once it feels like.
I still have a daughter ‘trapped’ in Dunedin, New Zealand, who is trying to cut her work visa (no work) year short and come home to Oregon, USA.
Your dress is so lovely. I don’t even know how you found time to take on six dresses (if I counted correctly). I’m so glad your event squeaked in. I look forward to when you post the bridesmaid’s dresses.
Great dress, and equally exciting to hear the news that the wedding came off! This post came as a relief. All is well.
A lesser person would’ve buckled under that dressmaking marathon, long before covid. Seriously.
It sounds like your troops rose to the occasion, you appreciated your luck that a wedding could be held at all, and the whole entourage made the best of it. Win.
We’ll all have to rise to new challenges,wherever we live. May we become Carolynesque if we can, and if not, may we give thanks for every Carolyn-like stalwart within our support network.
Congratulations to your daughter, it’s very fortunate the wedding was able to go on without too much change! I can only imagine the anxiety of worrying whether it was the right decision to proceed with guests or not. And your dress is absolutely beautiful!
Perfect dress, you look so comfortable in it which is so important on a special day but even more with all that followed. Take care and we will all get through this.
Beautiful dress. And what a mammoth job you had. Good to hear you enjoyed it all. Lucky the event did not need to be cancelled. Can’t imagined how distressing it must be for those couples.