Version 2 of Bella’s dress mock up

Version 2 started quite well only for me to fit one side together and realise that it just wasn’t working. The seam was curving instead of being straight even though the 4 seams all joined in a cross (see picture below).

It turns out I need to attach the pieces in a different order to make it work properly. I also forgot to leave the seam allowence for the top hem and again I worked this one out when I made the other side. I’m a lot happier with how the other side turned out (see picture below).

Now to unstitch the right side of the top and restitch as well as adjusting the pieces so all the edges line up.

Trial and Error

It would seem this pattern will probably take a lot of trial and error but thankfully I got double the amount of mock up fabric in case of this. Also on my travels I bought 2000yards of white cotton as it would seem you can never have enough cotton especially in my house. I also bought some round elastic this is hopefully going to be used for the buttons as the back of her dress doesn’t have typical button holes, instead they have used a method called rouleau loops. (As seen in the picture below)

Rouleau loops are generally made from a circular strip of satin but to save time and in attempt to give the buttons a bit of give when at the party I’m using circular elastic. I may replace this in the future with satin rouleu. If you want to know how to make your own rouleau loops go here.

The fun begins…

Well I actually have a few projects on the go at the moment other than Bella’s wedding dress. This includes Edward and Emmett’s wedding outfits, Selene from Underworld and a Cheerio cheerleading outfit from Glee. The non Twilight stuff is being done during free time between the Twilight outfits.

For Edward I am going to buy and alter an already made morning coat (tails) by adding velvet to the top of the collar, I am also making a double breasted white waist coat from Vogue 7488. A few adjustments need to be made on the front of the pattern including shortening the collar to length the top and adding diagonal edges to the bottom front. (Bottom right waistcoat on the image below). The pattern used can be bought from Sew Essential. I already own trousers and shoes from my Prom Edward outfit and will be buying a pre-tied white bow tie and hidden button shirt from actual shops.

Emmett’s wedding outfit is slightly different from Edward’s as not only does he wear a black waist coat instead of white but I have a feeling that his jacket is not a morning suit. I have attempted to tweet Kellan Lutz to see whether or not he can confirm this. If not will definitely have to pay more attention when I next watch the movie. The collar however on his jacket follows the same style as Edward’s and has velvet round the neck. He also wears a white tie instead of a bow tie. Shirt, tie and possibly waist coat will all be store bought.

Mission success: Mock up fabric for both Bella style patterns I have bought has been purchased and have received the measurements from my Bella (who will be hopefully wearing the dress at Eternal Twilight 7) so now I can begin cutting the pattern.

Warning: The mock up fabric is the most hideous colours of yellow and orange but it was all I could find that had a similar weight to it.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

A huge Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to any of my followers and others who view my blog. Thanks for checking it out and hopefully the proper work will begin on Bella’s wedding dress after Christmas.

Below is the only way I’ll ever sparkle as Edward Cullen as I’m not a fan of glitter lol!

A couple of drawings

First of all apologies for my really bad drawing skills. It’s definitely not my forte.

The front of the dress is split into 9 pieces. The drawing was just to give me an idea of where the different pieces.

Basic idea of how the back if laid out including the fabrics used.

Lace Research

As most of you will know the lace on the back of the Bella wedding dress was absolutely stunning. It was claimed in articles that the lace was a custom-made French Chantilly lace. It seems it was custom-made in a sense that the lace was already in existance but not quite how you see it in the movie.

After spending 3 weeks searching all over the world for this lace I finally emailed some of the various lace stores I had looked on and one gentleman sent me a few sample pictures. Below is the picture he sent me, a long with a picture where I have removed some parts of the lace and compared it to Bella’s.

With the alterations.

After several discussions with the gentleman I emailed he agreed to get a sample sent out to me asap (he has to order from another store) and has said if I agree to the purchase he will order it straight away. The lace he found only has ivory and black in stock and they are unsure when they will have white so I’m doing to have to use ivory on this dress instead. Am hoping the sample will be here just after New Year. But until then I have plenty to keep myself occupied with.

Arrival of patterns

The patterns I bought to modify for this dress have finally arrived so will be starting a mock up of the dress some time in the New Year with luck. Can’t wait to get started on this finally. Both patterns are now out of print and also didn’t come as cheap as they would have if they were still in print. It totally I think I paid about £25 for both inclusive of P&P. One pattern is McCalls M4378 and the other is Simplicity 4259.

An Introduction…….

Well first of all a welcome to my new blog. My name is Sam (I’m one of the admin at UK Twilight)
and I am an avid cosplayer in the UK who just so happens to also be a fan of Twilight. I love to make as many of my costumes from scratch but with something like Twilight thats not always possible. After watching Breaking Dawn only once I fell in love with Bella’s wedding dress and only a hour after arriving home from the cinema I was on the internet looking for reference pictures and fabrics. For those unfamiliar with the dress I have added a few pictures below. The dress for the moviewas made by designer Carolina Herrera. So here begins my project…….