Okay, so, I’ve been totally obsessed with this whole princess ball gown wedding dress thing lately. You know, the kind that makes you feel like you’ve stepped right out of a fairy tale? I decided I just had to give it a shot and see if I could make one myself. I mean, how hard could it be, right? Famous last words.
First Steps, More Like Baby Steps
First things first, I spent like a week just scrolling through pictures online, trying to find the perfect design. I wanted something with a bit of a whimsical, botanical vibe, but also, like, super elegant, you know? Finally, I found a few that I really liked and kind of mashed them together in my head.
Fabric Fiasco
Next, the fabric. Oh boy, the fabric. I went to like five different stores, feeling up every bolt of white satin and tulle I could find. I finally settled on this gorgeous, flowy satin for the skirt and some delicate lace with little flower details for the bodice. I also grabbed a ton of tulle, because what’s a ball gown without layers and layers of poof, am I right?
- Bought satin.
- Bought lace.
- Bought way too much tulle.
Pattern Panic
Then came the pattern. I tried to freehand it because I was feeling confident. I really should have not attempted that. After a few, ahem, mishaps, I admitted defeat and bought a basic ball gown pattern online. That was a good decision. I modified it a bit, but only simple changes.
Sewing Saga
Now for the actual sewing. Let me tell you, sewing a ball gown is not for the faint of heart. My sewing machine and I had a few disagreements, and I may or may not have stabbed myself with a pin a few times. There was a lot of seam ripping, I’m not gonna lie. And the tulle? Don’t even get me started on the tulle. It’s like trying to sew a cloud.
Bodice Blues
The bodice was particularly tricky. Getting the lace to lay just right and not look all bunchy was a real challenge. I sewed it, I ripped it, I sewed it again. Finally, after what felt like a million years, I got it to look halfway decent.
Skirt Situation
The skirt was a little easier, but still a lot of work. It’s just so much fabric! I gathered and gathered and gathered that tulle until my fingers were sore. Then I attached it to the satin underskirt, layer by layer. It took forever, but seeing it start to take shape was pretty awesome.
Finishing Touches
Finally, after weeks of work, I was ready for the finishing touches. I added a few little hand-sewn details, like some tiny pearl buttons and a little bit of ribbon trim. These little additions made me happy.
The Big Reveal
And then, it was done! I tried it on, and honestly? I felt like a princess. It wasn’t perfect, but I made it, and that’s what matters. It was totally worth all the blood, sweat, and tulle. I think it ended up looking pretty darn good, if I do say so myself!
It is a gorgeous princess ball gown wedding dress.
So, yeah, that’s my ball gown adventure. Would I do it again? Maybe. But I definitely need a break from tulle for a while!
