A few Words on the Dress

I chose to design and make my own wedding dress for several reasons.  First since I am a designer so it only made sense that I make my own dress.  Second the style of dress that I wanted is not something easily found in the United States, I wanted to mix my Korean heritage with western wedding traditions.  Third it saved a lot of money and headache, I didn't have to deal with a sales person, or another seamstress fitting me and getting it wrong.  Making my own dress I make all my decisions and I'm not locked into just one thing.  I can change it as many times as I'd like and play with the shape and embroidery and fabrics till I feel it is perfect.

As for saving money by making your own dress a lot of garment making pays into labor more then materials depending on the complexity of the piece.  If you know exactly what you want then it can easily save money by researching the fabrics to find the best price.  You are obviously saving money because you aren't paying for anyone else to do labor also.  On the Flip side it can also easily be a pitfall to spend just as much if you are indecisive because you will start to sample everything and want to try everything.

My advice is to keep in mind what is more important to you the materials themselves or the look you are trying to create.  Don't drastically change the entire design of the dress more then once.  Don't try to take on something new you haven't done before in sewing.  If you do decide you have to do those fancy french seams do another project first to practice.  Always make a muslin/mock up out of a similar fabric first before you go head on into your final fabric.  Last is to relax, yes that seam may not be perfect but it is also on the interior 3rd layer of tulle that no one else will ever see.  We are only human and you can't get hung up on small mistakes as long as the final product looks gorgeous on you.  Your wedding dress is just one in a million of things you need to do for your big day don't let it get you down.  The Sewing should be your most enjoyable experience!