|
Eco Wedding Dresses: View Your Gown in Progress
"Hi Lori,
Here we have an example of an actual dress log for one of our custom-made eco wedding dresses from our previous season. Reprinted with happy permission from our client:11 Aug 11 Hello Gundela, Many thanks for your order; I've put together a preliminary list of what you've requested so far: 'Amber' in hempsilk with blue ribbon and lacing panel $503 extra fabric for floor-length Amber (2 yds fabric @$18.50/yd) 37 blue wrap 85 bow-tie and cummerbund: cost to be determined based on time and fabric required final alterations no charge postage/courier no charge as can deliver personally __________________________________________________________________ sub-total as of 11 Aug 11 $625 25% deposit due $156.25 We are happy to accept credit cards, Paypal, or a personal check as payment. There's no hurry on the deposit; work on your dress will begin once your deposit has been received. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Be well, Lori 13 Aug 11
Hello Gundela! I was just about to email you that your printed contract arrived in the post yesterday (though my husband didn't remember to let me know about it until just now. He's adorably absent-minded) and I've just gotten confirmation of your deposit received. Wonderful! I admit to being sad that you won't be needing the dress for some time; I'm all excited to create it. You're going to look absolutely gorgeous on your wedding day. ;-D I'm going to go and update your dress page; let me know if there's anything else I can do. Be well (and have a great weekend) Lori 9 Dec 11
Hi Lori, I am not sure when I will be in Boston next. Quite possibly not before the week of April 15. It might make sense if you send us the dress and we try it on. Best, Gundela 9 Dec 11
Hi Gundela, Since we have the measurements you sent, there wouldn't be any problem with making your dress to those measurements. Or would you rather that I make a toile first (a dress of the same style but of inexpensive fabric) that I could send to you for you to try on? That wouldn't be a problem. If the toile dress fit you well, then you could send it back to me and I could use it to make the actual wedding dress of the hemp/silk satin fabric. That's usually how we do it for brides who don't live locally and who I can't stand in the same room with. The question, I think, would be when you would want to have your dress by. Initially you'd put '1 January 2012' but I remember that you were happy to change that date if necessary. Since there would be some delay in the comings and goings with sending dresses to you that might need some alteration, we might want to change the completion date to slightly later. It would depend on whether you would want me to create a toile first, or just create the dress itself. Does that make sense? 9 Dec 11
Lori, yes, just change the final order date. The wedding is not going to take place before July. I think the Toile idea sounds great. Can you send that to Boston so I can try it on when I am there the first week of January? Best, Gundela 13 Dec 11
Hi Gundela, Sure, I can make up a toile and send it. Is there a preferred address that I should use? Or just use the one you gave me? Hope you're having a good time over there... Lori 14 Dec 11
Lori,
if you could send the toile by Jan 4, please send it to our Somerville address.
If this does not work and you need more time, then please send it to my house in Baton Rouge.
[address deleted for privacy] Either way is fine with me.
Gundela14 Dec 11
Hi Gundela, Great! Thanks for the flexibility. I'll of course keep you in the loop so that you'll know where and when to expect your parcel. Lori 16 Dec 11
Hello Gundela, Your toile is finished! I'm sending it to the Somerville address today; it should arrive there shortly.  toile pieces pinned together  seams sewn and finished and safety pins provided
To fit the toile to you, you should have someone help you. To see how to do it, visit this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch? I have intentionally created the toile so that it is a bit larger around the top than the measurements you gave me; this should help you fit it more easily. Since we already know how long you'd like for your gown to be, the length of this toile doesn't really matter. Ergo the toile is not as long as your waist to floor measurement. Don't worry; your dress will be the length you requested. Try to pin the seams symmetrically as that will help your dress to drape gracefully. The best way to get started when you are fitting the toile would be to put the toile on (make sure you are wearing your wedding-day underwear), then hold the neckline at the place you'd like it to be. Have someone close up the back with safety pins. You can then use more safety pins to take up the extra in each seam. Leave all of the safety pins in (except those in the back, which you will mark with a pen as the video illustrates) and send the toile back in the same packaging, using the return label provided. Please call me if you have any questions as you do the fitting: 814 308 9555. Have a safe flight! Lori 7 Jan 2012
Hello Gundela! Your toile arrived in yesterday's post but my husband only gave it to me late last night. Apologies in the delay in writing to you! I was so pleased when I saw your toile that I actually chuckled out loud. You wrapped it so nicely! And your notes are beautifully and thoughtfully done. I couldn't have been more clear myself had I written them. You've sewn dresses before, haven't you? I can't believe that someone could do such a good job without prior sewing experience. At the moment, I am thick in the middle of finishing up some new designs for the upcoming photoshoot. As I'd mentioned, I'll be able to start on your dress after the second photoshoot, which will be finished in mid-March. I expect that your dress will be completed in late March/early April, which will be in plenty of time for a final fitting and your wedding in the summer. I can let you know when sewing on your dress has begun. f you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask. Be well, Lori 7 Jan 2012
Hi Lori, I cannot take credit for any of it. It is all Richard's doing. He knows a little about tailoring and sewing. So, he is the one who took care of all the meticulous notes on the toile. He also made some pictures, that you may find useful. I cc him on this mail so that he can send them to you. The time line sounds good to me. Good luck with the photo shooting. I am sure it is a lot of work. Best, Gundela 16 March 2012
Hello Gundela! The photoshoot was a wonderful success and we are now busily processing the raw images; soon the new dresses will be on the website! ::cheers and applause:: I'll be ready to start on your dress in the next few days; before I do, I thought I would check in with you and see if there weren't any new thoughts you had or changes you might want. I hope that all is well with you... Lori 16 March 2012
Hi Lori, I am glad your new collection is coming together nicely. I will check it out when it is on your website. I do not have any new thoughts concerning the dress. I think what we have agreed on is quite nice. We bought a fancy hat in a hat boutique in New Orleans to go with it. Best, Gundela. 20 March 2012
Hi Gundela, Your dress creation has begun! I've updated your dress log accordingly...look for further updates every 1-3 business days. Do let me know if any questions pop up...
I hope things are well with you?
Have a great evening,
Lori 20 March 2012
Hello Gundela! Your dress is starting to take shape! Come and see...  First there are markings to show where you'd put in your safety pins during your fitting...  Then your toile was taken apart to become the pattern for your dress...  Pattern pieces on ivory hempsilk...  Pattern pieces on unbleached organic cotton (this is used for the lining)  Pattern piece on powder blue hempsilk for the contrasting bodice top  Pattern pieces of the lining, cut out and waiting for assembly  Pattern pieces of the ivory hempsilk Next: assembly!! Be well, Lori 21 March 2012
Hi Richard (cc: Gundela), A question has come up: what is your neck and waist measurement? I expect that bowties and cummerbunds are meant to be adjustable (and to be honest, I'm going to look for a commercial sewing pattern that will help me make them). But I expect that it would be helpful to know what your size is. Hope all is well... Lori 21 March 2012
Hi, Lori. I was going to email you today. On Saturday, I ended up ordering a grey suit for the wedding, so will definitely need no cummerbund. Instead, I was thinking a pocket square and tie in the blue fabric of Gundela's dress would be lovely. I imagine the pocket square should be really simple to make. I think either a regular tie or a bowtie would go well with the suit, although a regular tie might be easier to make. (I can tie a bowtie, but even untied and flat, a bowtie is a rather complicated shape, and I am not sure it would look any better.) What do you think? Is a regular tie something you could do? I will measure my neck size when I get home tonight. It's probably about 15", but it's better to be sure. Richard 21 March 2012
Hi Richard, See attached for a pic of a sample necktie from my website. It would be no problem at all to make you a regular necktie in powder blue to match Gundela's dress contrast. And no neck measurement will be needed. ;-) Lori 21 March 2012
Hi again Gundela and Richard,I seem to recall that we discussed (perhaps on the phone?) that you'd like to have the dress to try on after Memorial Day weekend. But at the current schedule, your dress will be ready in plenty of time for 15 April. Are you still planning to be in Boston during that week / weekend? I'd be glad to come up and fit the dress to you and would only ask to be reimbursed for the bus ticket (much cheaper than driving; gas alone costs about $100)...do let me know as soon as possible since the cheaper bus tickets tend to go quickly... Would be great to see you in the dress soon! Lori PS - Aaannnd one more question: How wide did you want the straps to be? Spaghetti straps are about 1/2" wide, or we could make the straps wider. Just let me know since I won't be able to progress much further on the dress until I hear back from you. 22 March 2012
Hi Lori, 1/2 inch straps sounds fine. I will be in Boston April 16 (evening) to April 24 (morning). To have a fitting there may be a good idea. Does that work for your schedule. I am happy to cover the bus fare. Best, Gundela. 22 March 2012
Hi Gundela, That would be great if we could meet. There is a slight wrinkle in that my husband has promised his mum that he and I will be in NY on the 18th. I can get to NY from Boston with no trouble. Do you think that we could meet at some point on the 17th? If the 17th works for you, I'll take care of the bus tickets; you'll have a personal courier and a final fitting all in one! YAY!! Lori 22 March 2012
Hi Lori, the morning or the evening of April 17th would work. We have tickets to the ballet in the afternoon. The show starts at 2pm and probably goes until around 5.30pm. If you come around breakfast, we may be able to persuade Richard to bake his very special scones for us. Gruss, Gundela 23 March 2012
Hello Gundela, It's been busy in the studio! Both the shell and lining have been assembled:   And then put on the dress form (adjusted to your measurements) for extra fine-tuning:   The bodice top was created:  (I know that it looks a bit more turquoise in the photo, but it's actually the powder blue hemp/silk as you'd requested) And started on the lacing panels:   The shell and lining were pressed and the hems evened out:  The inside seams were serged:  And the ribbon for your straps was cut, pressed...  ...and sewn:  The hem was sewn:  And I added a proud label (sewn on organic cotton of course):  What progress!! ;-D Look for the next update to be early next week... Hope you are doing well, Lori 26 March 2012
Hello Gundela! A quick few questions: how wide would you like your waist-ribbon to be? Would you like there to be a bow as well (and if so, where?). Lastly, would you like the ribbon to be located just above your waist, at your waist, or just below it? (regarding that last question: since i don't have you in the studio with me, I will go by your measurements in terms of where your waist is located. But I'd want to accommodate your wishes as much as I can...) Hope you're having a grand weekend, Lori 28 March 2012
And here we are in a new week, with much progress made: The lacing panels are now finished and ready for insertion:  And it's now time to 'join' the lining and the shell, with the bodice band and straps in between. Kind of like a sandwich. Here's how we do it: First we put the hemp/silk shell on the dress form, then we pin the bodice top to it:   Here's a close-up of that, so you can see it in more detail:  Then the straps are added:  And the lining is then sandwiched over it all, like the other slice of bread (ok so it's not the most glamorous metaphor, but it's appropriate):  All the layers are sewn together. And it looks fabulous:   Nice, huh? Since we were waiting to get your final word on the width and placement of your waist-ribbon, the dress rested a bit. And so instead, Richard's necktie and pocket square got some attention. Here are the necktie pieces cut out and pinned together:  Here they are sewn and then turned and pressed. Et Voila! Richard will be well-dressed and he'll match you perfectly!   And that's done! We'll be adding the waist ribbon and also add the lacing panel next and then your dress will be finished. Be well, Lori 28 March 2012
Hi Lori, The waistband should be at my waist. Definitely not above my waist since that style tends to make me look pregnant. We don't want any bows. I am not sure what looks best for the ribbon. My guess is maybe 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches. Best, Gundela 28 March 2012
Hi Gundela, Thanks for letting me know. Your dresslog has been updated with the latest progress: Richard's tie and pocket square are now completed. I'll see what looks best wrt the ribbon, whether 1" or 1 1/2" would look better.
I have another question: you had requested a wrap in powder blue. I'm happy to make it but I did want to let you know that I've designed a slightly different style wrap that will be coming out in this year's new Collection. See attached photos. If you'd prefer this style wrap instead of the rectangular one, let me know. Also let me know how you'd like it created: ivory with unbleached organic cotton on the underside and a blue ribbon? Ivory on the outside and blue on the underside with a blue ribbon? Completely blue? Blue with ivory ribbon? Oh, the possibilities!
Hope that all is well,
Lori
Hi Gundela,
28 March 2012
Hi Lori, We will go with just the simpler wrap. Is it possible to do one side ivory, the other one powder blue? If not, just plain powder blue. Richard is visiting me this week. He says hi! Best, Gundela 28 March 2012
Of course we can make one side of the wrap ivory and the other side powder blue; it's no trouble at all.
And hi, Richard! ;-D
Look for another update around Wednesday or Thursday...
Be well,
Lori
30 March 2012
Your dress is all done! Come see! Once we verified the width and placement of your waist ribbon, the ribbon could be added and the lacing panel could be inserted. So, first comes the ribbon; here's a front and back view of the ribbon pinned into place:   The waist ribbon was hand-sewn into place. It's more work but just looks better that way. After the ribbon was done, then came the lacing panel. First the fabric was pinned and then the lacing loops were inserted:   The loops are basted in, then sewn:   And your dress is complete! ::cheers and applause:: All that left to do is the wrap; look for an update by the end of the week. Be well, Lori 1 April 2012
Hello Gundela! Your wrap is all done! Making the wrap is actually rather simple. It just takes up a lot of fabric. I keep the leftover pieces for scrap. ;-)  After cutting the first piece, it's used as a pattern for the facing piece. Here you see it laid on the ivory fabric since you'd asked for one side to be blue and the other ivory:  Once to two pieces are cut, they are stitched together. The ivory piece is under the blue:  And then the wrap is 'turned' (turned inside out) and pressed. And a label added. Here is your finished wrap!  And you're all done! One last question: I'd placed the straps at the markings that you made but upon inspection it seemed that the markings in the back weren't quite where they should be. I've left them unattached; they would be easy enough to handsew after your fitting. But looking at the front:  it looks like the straps are just a bit asymmetrical. We'll fix that before your final fitting. ;-) Be well, Lori |
