by Carol Mann

I learned how to sew when I was 12 years old. I had an interest in fashion very early and wanted to attend design school. When I was in high school I made my prom dresses with my mom. Many years later, when I was 28, I attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. I got an AA Degree in Fashion Design. After graduating I started working freelance as a stylist and costumer for film and commercials.

I made this wedding gown in May 1989 and finished it in June 1989 shortly before my wedding. It is a copy from Janet Arnold, Patterns of Fashion 2 from 1860-1940. I had to draft the pattern from 1/4″ to life-size, so this took a lot of time to do!

Carol Mann's Wedding Gown

 

The gown is a recreation of a 1900 Edwardian Tea dress. The color of the wedding gown is Ivory; the bodice is decorated with lace, pearl beads and mother of pearl sequins; the back of the gown has pearl buttons going down the back to the waist with loops closing; the skirt is made of silk peau de soie (a soft satin-weave silk fabric); and there is a large silk bow at the waist on the back of the wedding gown that I added.

There are lace appliques on the hemline all around the bottom of the skirt; there are matching lace appliques on the veil. I also had my white satin shoes died ivory and glued the matching lace appliques to the shoes. The wedding gown had a slip sewn into the body of the wedding gown to give it more body; the slip fabric was a satin synthetic fabric in ivory  as well to match the wedding gown.

My wedding was on June 3, 1989 in Pasadena, California.

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, Carol!

Want to read more wedding gown stories like Carol’s? Read more here. Feel free to share your own love story or wedding gown story in the comments or on our Facebook page!

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