For my wedding dress I took inspiration from many sources, including the fabrics and trims. The overall shape is based in the 1850s. The button front, basque bodice and coat tail detail on the back are taken from a mid-Victorian tailored ridding habit. The bertha collar and swagged over skirt are details from a ball gown of the same period.

I looked and looked for fabric that I could both afford and that inspired me. After months I found this beautiful gray striped silk but there was only 5 yards so that too became part of the design challenge. The over skirt is made from the striped gray silk with godets of matching gray silk. The under skirt is done in modern style from a luscious silk broadcloth with beaded appliqu and boarder at the hem. The same silk broadcloth was used to make my husbands waistcoat. I also shopped long and hard for the appliqus. After looking at the trim at Britex I purchased an unused wedding dress from the 1980s. It had over 10 yards of a reembroidered lace boarder with sequins and pearls and matching appliqus. It was very high quality and the sequins had not yellowed.

No effort was spared in the hand finishing or haute couture detailing for this dress and corset bodice. I also made the petticoat, ribbon lace snood, lace gloves, and garters with a little help from some friends.