Sew Good

But I must say, it’s nice knowing you’ve uncovered something one-of-a-kind that can’t be found at the local mall. Hence, I’ve always thought the idea of wearing a vintage wedding dress is a good one—in theory. The reality is that most bridal gowns I’ve encountered in my years of rummaging are less than desirable for one of two reasons: A) They’re retro in a bad way (ie. poufy sleeves and too many sequins) or B) They’re a little worse for wear (wine stains and dirty hemlines are definitely signs of a raucous reception, but make for a dress that needs to be retired not recycled). My solution? Purchase a vintage pattern and have your dress made from scratch (with brand-new, pristine fabric) by a talented seamstress. I found this amazing 1960’s design at So Vintage Patterns. I adore the three-quarter sleeves and the cowl-neck, and the fact that it looks so thoroughly modern. It’s hard to believe this pattern is more than 40 years old!

Would you ever consider wearing a secondhand dress on your big day? What about having a dress made according to an old pattern? I’d love to hear your thoughts.