Cinderella's Wedding Dress

SERIES: Cinderella (2015)

DATE COMPLETED: March 2016

NOTES: I loved this movie a little too much! I started with nine yards of ivory satin for the base of the skirt, which has french seams & a hand-finished horse-hair hem. On top lays a layer of silk organza that has french seams & a narrow rolled hem. Underneath is white cotton lining with some tulle for added body. The skirt is pleated in the back & closes with an invisible zipper.

The corseted bodice was draped & created using a heavy-weight canvas fabric (which I find to be a good alternative to coutil). I added a mix of spiral steel & white steel boning into bias tape channels sewn into the foundation layer. I also added waist tape for extra support. My secret to having the clean finished back (like in the movie) is adding extra panels in foundation layer that allow me to lace up the corset with grommets on the inside & have the outside close with hooks & eyes.

Once my foundation layer was complete, I made the outer satin layer & basted those pieces together. I then put it back on the mannequin & draped the sheer organza layer over it. I ended up making multiple versions of this sheer bodice layer. My original plan of french seaming the seams was not laying right. My final version has two-piece sleeves decorated with six buttons at each wrist. All the sheer bodice seams are hand-sewn finished with homemade double-fold silk organza bias tape.

The floral print was hand-painted using acrylics. It took trial-and-error to find a method that allowed the paint to still dry opaque. Covering my entire work surface in wax paper worked best.

I also have the crown and jewelry along with a matching cathedral length veil (also made out of silk organza). This piece was made based off of my measurements, so maybe one day I'll put the whole ensemble on for a photo shoot.

Photography by Kevin Reodica