The Mother of the Bride Made it

Christine Boyle

Creative Director - Sewing Tutor

At Colour and Cloth Sewing Courses, we believe that every stitch tells a story. This is how my Advanced sewing student Gayle designed and made her own Mother of the Bride outfit.

The Mother of the bride MADE IT

FROM “Can You Make It For Me?” to “I Made It Myself”

At Colour and Cloth, where dreams become dresses, we believe that every stitch tells a story. This one is Gayle’s.

It started with a phonecall in January.

Gayle had a daughter getting married and, like any proud mother, she wanted to look the part. She reached out to ask whether I made custom designs for MotB. I do – and I was happy to talk her through the costs and what was involved. But as we chatted, something else came up.

“Have you ever thought about making it yourself?” I asked.

Gayle told me she had sewn at school, years ago but had not really sewn much since. Then she told me that her parents had bought her a sewing machine for Christmas!

“Gayle! That’s your sign loud and clear” I said. You are going to make it yourself and you will gain your sewing skills and lots of confidence.

By the end of our phonecall, Gayle had signed up to the Advanced Course and started that week.

With the wedding in just 4 months, we got to work straight away.

💡 Christine's Tip Use the right needle, test your interfacing and lining.

THE ADVANCED COURSE

Gayle came to class with her new sewing machine, some calico fabric and a screenshot of her vision.

The Advanced classes mean students are working with structured fabrics, linings, fitted silhouettes and made to measure. There is a lot more handsewing. There are no shortcuts, and often it involves more than 1 toile and many pattern adjustments. Students learn patience and precision, and gain a willingness to unpick and re-do when a seam isn’t quite right.

Gayle had all of that. She just didn’t know it yet. What I gave her, was TRUST. We could do it. She WOULD do it.

"I felt fantastic. Loads of compliments - and gasps when the guests heard I had made it"
- GAYLE, BEGINNER STUDENT

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BACK YOURSELF

Gayles dress started with a sketch and some calico. No paper pattern, no measurements, just Gayle’s body. Breaking her dress design into 3 sections made things easier : A bodice, a waistband and a skirt. Work on each part separately, then bring it all together.

By week one she already had the first toile well under way.

Gayle worked at her design at home, cutting, tracing and tacking so it was ready for the next stage in class.

Week by week, Gayle’s outfit came together.

The fabric toile was used to create a paper pattern and Gayle learnt thread tracing, invisible zips, lining and many more advanced techniques.

She had to test out interfacings, stitch lengths and needle size. 3 toiles were made to ensure the fit and style lines were as required.

Delighted with her new Brother AE1700 sewing machine, she decided to invest in an overlocker and chose the Brother M343D an easy threader, and a great way to ensure a professional seam finish. With a few setting adjustments, Gayle was able to make a beautiful rolled hem on the skirt. The finishing touch!

On her daughter’s wedding day, Gayle walked in wearing something no shop could have sold her.

A silver-blue satin. A fitted bodice with a soft V neck front and back. A full circle and a half skirt with a fabulous drape. And the finishing touch…Gayle added a plumage of matching feathers that made her whole look unforgettable.

She had imagined it, planned it, made her own pattern, cut it, and sewn every stitch of it herself.

In her own words “I felt fantastic. Loads of compliments – and gasps when the guests heard I had made it”.