• Norsk
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • FAQs
  • About
  • Projects
  • Videos

Sewing in Norway

  • Start Here!
  • Plus Size Sewing
  • Resources
  • Free Sewing Patterns
  • Shop
  • Contact

The Complete Guide to Sewing your Own Wedding Gown: What to Consider First

DIY· Fabric Shopping· Plus Size Sewing· Projects· Wedding and Bridal Sewing

10 Jun

Complete guide to sewing your own wedding dress
Thinking about sewing your own wedding gown? Wondering what you should consider first before embarking on this epic project? Is it really cheaper to make your own wedding gown? Is it easier to make your own wedding dress? Get answer to all of these questions and more below in  my first post in a new series on Sewing in Norway, The Complete Guide to Sewing Your Own Wedding Dress.

1. Your Time and Effort- do you have time for this project?

As much as I love to sew, I had to think long and hard about sewing my own wedding gown, and in the end, I chose not to.
Although it depends on the type of gown or gown you plan on making, you’ll most likely invest months in making your own wedding gown – time I simply did not have to devote to making my own wedding gown. Such a huge project takes pre-planning, planning, fabric shopping, copious amounts of testing, several fittings and overall a lot of time – and one’s wedding day isn’t a time to muck about with a half-way done job in any of those categories.

To get an even better estimate of the time investment involved in sewing your own bridal gown, head to a bridal boutique and look under the top layer of most wedding gowns. You’ll see layers of tulle, built-in bras, boning, or other structural elements – all the parts which go into making your own wedding gown. If you don’t have the time or want to invest the effort, there is no shame in buying a gown retail (gasp!) online (double gasp!) instead of sewing your own. Even if you are like me a LOVE to sew.

classy wedding dresses

2. The Overall Cost – Raw materials and embellishments

Folks tend to think sewing your own wedding gown will save you loads of money but in reality, how much you save versus retail all depends on what type of gown you make plus which fabric, notions and accessories you use and how much internal structure is built into the gown.

Larger gowns, plus size gowns, gowns using more complex construction methods and gowns with more frills tend to cost more due to higher raw material costs. Raw material costs are the costs associated with making the gown before fancy embellishments are added – the price just to produce the dress without customizing it with embellishments. These include the gown pattern, pattern paper, thread (silk, cotton or polyester), muslin fabric, fashion fabric, lining fabric, zippers, buttons, machine needles, boning, ribbons, fabric stabilizers, bust cups, tulle for built in underskirts, etc. Also add to that list any additional tools you might need to produce the gown such as glass head pins (used for more delicate fabrics), silk cutting shears, a serger sewing machine, etc.

These costs add up quick – and combined with your time investment – will ensure making your own gown will cost as much or more than buying a ready to wear gown from a store or boutique (especially if you can get that gown on sale or part of a special offer).

3. Gown Patterns: Commercial, indie or self-drafted?

Will you use a commercial pattern from one of the “Big Four” (actually the “Big One” since they are all under one company now)? Or use a pattern from an indie designer? Or will you self-draft your wedding gown pattern? Or use some combination of all three?

wedding dress with buttons

4. Fabric Selection

Wedding gowns can be made from a variety of fabrics at a variety of price points. Generally speaking, fabrics made from 100% natural fibres (no matter the finish or weave) tend to be pricier but breathe better and wrinkle more. If you are making your own wedding gown, be sure to check out natural, synthetic and blended fabrics to find a fabric most suitable for your project.

5. Your Sanity

This should probably be the first thing you consider before anything else – and for good reason. Even a simple gown may require patience you don’t have, new skills, several fittings and more overall organization on your part so think critically about whether or not sewing your own wedding gown is right for you.

Making a wedding gown can cause decision making fatigue and add “just one more thing” to your to do list. In the end, you may want to save your sanity by buying a simple gown and supercharging your wedding look instead.

Photos by IFEOLUWADAYO OGUNDERU, Anna Docking and Thomas William on Unsplash

6 Shares

1 Comment

Seven Ways to Supercharge Your Wedding Outfit »

Trackbacks

  1. Wedding Sewing Patterns: Vintage Patterns says:
    December 28, 2018 at 11:26 pm

    […] Before you embark on sewing your own wedding dress, be sure to check out my series The Complete Guide to Sewing Your Own Wedding Gown. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hei - I'm Whitney! I am a sewing enthusiast and writer! I also love refashioning old items into something useful. I use this blog to document my sewing adventures from the southwestern coast of Norway. Read More…

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Latest on Instagram

Finished just in time for today’s rain shower. N Finished just in time for today’s rain shower. No matter, this joyful #ankarafabrics print is going to take those rainy blues far, far away. Buttons from @simplyfabricsbrixton. Other notions from @stoffstil #stoffogstilstavanger
After a few weeks of losing my #sewjo, I’m nearl After a few weeks of losing my #sewjo, I’m nearly finished my #africanwaxprint #cashmeretteholyoke peplum top. This is the shortened version of the #cashmerettepatterns Holyoke dress pattern and great for wearing over skirts and jeans! Peplum tops almost never work for me but this one has a very defined waist and a larger bust area so I’m sure it’s going to be a winner once finished.
Say hello to today’s #scrapbusting project - #pi Say hello to today’s #scrapbusting project - #pipathepouch from @sewing.masin 😀 This #pdfpattern comes in two sizes and is available for free when you sign up for their newsletter.

I decided not to quilt my fabric and removed the side tabs. I also serged the final two side seams instead of covering them with bias binding.
Let’s just be honest, most maternity clothes are Let’s just be honest, most maternity clothes are pretty sad and joyless (not to mention expensive). So when I found out I was pregnant last year, I decided I was going to make my pregnancy wardrobe on my own. Here is my list of the me made clothes I wore most frequently while pregnant. Many of these patterns are also breast feeding friendly as well.

http://sewinginnorway.com/my-favorite-maternity-friendly-sewing-patterns/
#blackouttuesday #blackouttuesday
Thanks for the great @youtube video @sewspire! I m Thanks for the great @youtube video @sewspire! I made your “ultimate reusable grocery shopping tote bag” but customized it by taking out the internal dividers. I also used French seams on the inside because canvas always frays (like crazy) 🤣 #stayhomeandsew #sewcialdistancing #stoffstildiy
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Popular Posts

Archives

Search

Browse by Category

Disclaimer

This blog currently has affiliate relationships with various online retailers, which give me a percentage of sales if you buy a product through the link posted on my blog. If you are uncomfortable with this, feel free to go directly the company’s web site and search for the item itself.

Finished just in time for today’s rain shower. N Finished just in time for today’s rain shower. No matter, this joyful #ankarafabrics print is going to take those rainy blues far, far away. Buttons from @simplyfabricsbrixton. Other notions from @stoffstil #stoffogstilstavanger
After a few weeks of losing my #sewjo, I’m nearl After a few weeks of losing my #sewjo, I’m nearly finished my #africanwaxprint #cashmeretteholyoke peplum top. This is the shortened version of the #cashmerettepatterns Holyoke dress pattern and great for wearing over skirts and jeans! Peplum tops almost never work for me but this one has a very defined waist and a larger bust area so I’m sure it’s going to be a winner once finished.
Say hello to today’s #scrapbusting project - #pi Say hello to today’s #scrapbusting project - #pipathepouch from @sewing.masin 😀 This #pdfpattern comes in two sizes and is available for free when you sign up for their newsletter.

I decided not to quilt my fabric and removed the side tabs. I also serged the final two side seams instead of covering them with bias binding.
Let’s just be honest, most maternity clothes are Let’s just be honest, most maternity clothes are pretty sad and joyless (not to mention expensive). So when I found out I was pregnant last year, I decided I was going to make my pregnancy wardrobe on my own. Here is my list of the me made clothes I wore most frequently while pregnant. Many of these patterns are also breast feeding friendly as well.

http://sewinginnorway.com/my-favorite-maternity-friendly-sewing-patterns/
#blackouttuesday #blackouttuesday
Thanks for the great @youtube video @sewspire! I m Thanks for the great @youtube video @sewspire! I made your “ultimate reusable grocery shopping tote bag” but customized it by taking out the internal dividers. I also used French seams on the inside because canvas always frays (like crazy) 🤣 #stayhomeandsew #sewcialdistancing #stoffstildiy
My version of the #studiocosturadailytote from #st My version of the #studiocosturadailytote from #studiocosturapatterns is finished ❤️ I made mine from heavy weight canvas from #stoffogstilstavanger and put the external zipper pouch on the inside. #stoffstildiy
I hope everyone out there is taking care and stayi I hope everyone out there is taking care and staying in if they can. I have been feeling very inspired and blessed by all of the kindness I’ve seen extended to virtual strangers online in Norway and it makes me very proud that I live here. I received these flowers last week from @edgargrimberg and @tjeltagirl - two of my favorite humans - for #internationalwomensday, and they are still giving us love. So if you need some brightness in your life today, here it is 😍
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
© 2023 Sewing In Norway
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Necessary
Always Enabled