My name is Diane and I had my wedding this June. I broke a cardinal rule and made my own dress, out of vintage lace overlaying a duchess satin, which was way over my head, but I managed it anyway. The lace was from Timeless Trims; it was about half of what they hand on hand. I looked all over for something that wasn’t nylon or polyester, or so very, very expensive. It’s rayon and silk (burn test!) and hand washed beautifully. Actually, the whole dress is hand-washable–no dry cleaning required! It’s really unique in that it is a big paisley design. It was in her “vintage couture” section. June was very kind and patient and gave me as much information as she could via email before I made the purchase.

The pattern was easy to understand, although it was my first attempt at sewing since I was 10 and under my grandmother’s watchful eye…. I did the whole thing by hand, until it was time to attach the bodice to the skirt–my best friend (the taller bridesmaid in the photo, who is also wearing a dress from this pattern, with a short hem) has a sewing machine and did that for me, as well as making all the wedding party dresses. Anyway, it turned out nicely, and I look forward to making more from your patterns–with a sewing machine and easier fabric!

All photos were taken by Bruce Gardner, a Utah-based photographer.

Many thanks for a great pattern that made me feel unique on a special day!

Diane K.

This is exquisitely done. I have never seen such incredibly fine materials used — and most of this hand-stitched! What a special labor of love for a wedding day. Diane is an amazing bride!

This is a special dress for me - a renewal of vows so it is all in white. Thank you for making the pattern available. I searched two days on the internet until I found you! I am very happy with the way the dress turned out and had a lot of fun embellishing it! ~ Elyse

Be sure to click on the thumbnail and zoom in on this shot to see all the beautiful work Elyse did on her gown. It is really wonderful. What a special occasion!

Our son just got married, and the bridesmaids dresses were from your 1914 Afternoon Dress pattern.

Thanks!
Marci B.

I am a real sucker for blue and white. My own wedding was blue and white, and I adore hydrangeas! Note the embroidery on the bodices, too. The dresses are sheer over white petticoats (also made from the pattern), and the flower girls have blue petticoats. Darling!

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“I absolutely love your site! I bought the Regency era pattern to make my bridesmaid dresses, and loved it so much that I did my wedding dress out of that pattern, too. We bought the Elegant Lady’s Closet pattern as well to get the 3/4 length sleeves. We just used the Regency gown pattern as written except for the sleeves. My sister (the red-headed matron of honor) gave birth about a month before the wedding, so we had to guess at her sizes, and made it open in the front (using the guides online which were oh-so-helpful!). Even still, there was a gap in front, so she bought the little wrap at Wal-Mart the night before to cover it, and we think it fit pretty well with the dress.

The ribbon is just satin ribbon bought at a craft store. All of the dresses had a white cotton or muslin lining and the fabric on top is a thin cotton with satiny embroidery and tiny eyelets. The purple ones have a flowery pattern and mine is slightly different. Anyway, I thought they turned out beautifully! Thanks for helping our day be beautiful and economical (I did all three dresses, plus a dress for each of my nieces for about $100 all together, including patterns, ribbons, buttons, etc.).

Thanks!
Rebecca A.”

So inspirational! I love wedding photos and stories. Beautiful!

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“Here are the photos of the wedding gown. I had a great time putting this together; I hope she is pleased with it! ~ ~Geneece A.”

Geneece is my Seamstress-in-Residence and is doing gorgeous work!

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“My niece, Madeleine, got married in July and had asked me to make her and her bridesmaids ‘Jane Austen’ style dresses. It was with great relief that I found your invaluable pattern via the Internet. I changed the under bust gathers to darts on all the dresses, but otherwise I made very few changes to your pattern. The Bride’s dress consisted of an ivory satin under-dress with a very delicate ivory silk chiffon over-dress embroidered in white silk. not an easy combination of materials to handle! I slit the over-skirt up the front to the empire line so the ivory satin under-skirt showed and piped the empire line, neck and sleeve bands in the ivory satin. Her short train was made following your instructions. Her head-dress was made of tiny white and ivory silk rosebuds. The Bridesmaids’ dresses were in a fuchsia pink Dupion silk. They were piped in the same material and had self-covered buttons. I put two layers of tulle on the dress linings, one from just below mid-thigh and one from knee height to hold the skirts out a little as the material was quite stiff and did not drape very well. The Bridesmaids’ head-dresses were little rose buds, just like the Bride’s but in white, ivory and fuchsia pink. It was a very happy day and a great many people commented on how lovely the dresses were and how perfect the style was for Madeleine. Thank you again for providing such a very useful pattern! ~ Clare C.”

There really is something about the Regency Era style and weddings! I think they are a perfect match! Beautiful work, Clare!

Photos copyright Affordable Excellent Photo 2001
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“Dear Jennie,
My wedding dress was made using your Regency pattern. I was thrilled with the result! I found a gorgeous silk for the dress and a stunning lace for the overlay. I am so glad I stumbled onto your site! I wanted to share some pictures, hoping you will be able to see some of the detail as well as the overall look. That was four and a half years ago, and I am venturing to make a day dress myself this time, again using your pattern. This time I am pregnant with my third child and hope to make it a maternity dress. If I am successful (for I am no seamstress, yet) I will let you know how it goes! Thank you for providing a unique way to express one’s tastes and style. Thanks, Mary”

Beautiful!

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Hold on to your hats! This is one of the best mother of the bride stories I’ve ever gotten! This is one amazing mama! “Hello Jennie, I am so pleased with the outcome of my boned bodice petticoat and my gown of dupioni silk that I have made as the Mother of the Bride gown for my daughter’s ‘PnP’ Christmas wedding. Your instructions are wonderful and your fit is true to a real body and the actual measurements. Thanks for helping make her special day even more special! Included are pics of the petticoat. I followed your superb instructions and it really ‘works’ to give me an accurate ‘look’… It looks much better on the dummy! I put a piece of upholstery piping in the hem for some soft hoop effect. My friend was a costume designer for a local college. She is a sleeve genius. Here is her design for my gown. Your patterns have helped me immensely to create her vision. She made the sleeve pattern so that when made on the bias the front of the sleeve would be in a chevron and the showy six button placket would have ’snob appeal.’ The fabric is a rayon ’silk’ dupioni that I got for $7/ yd! I made the Spencer vest of black velvet. The lapel has black lace beaded with black diamond Swarovski crystal. I wanted to share some pics of the wonderful outcome of your patterns for my gown. The full view is my sister buttoning me into the gown. Nice line, eh? The little velvet jacket took me days to bead the lapels with black diamond Swarovski crystal and black pearls. I added an extra wedge of fabric in the skirt of the gown and a little peplum on the back of the jacket. I made the flower girl gown using your excellent pattern. I made it rather big, put 3 1″ tucks in the hem for the future. I put a drawstring in the neck and waist for an adjustable fit. It also has hand appliqued lace with jet Swarovski crystal. The little girl danced around and around when she tried it on. It fit perfectly, thanks to you! ~ Jo J.” Bravo! Bravo! Thanks for sharing, Jo!

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“Here are some pictures of me in the dress I made to wear to my daughter’s wedding from your 1909 Edwardian Dress Pattern. ~ Jacqueline S.”

Isn’t this a stunner? I love the overlay and the gorgeous lace used for this lovely mother of the bride!

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Caroline D. had a Horatio Hornblower-inspired wedding aboard ship in England!
Her entire wedding followed the Regency theme, and doesn’t everyone look fantastic? What fun!