Chantilly Lace For Wedding Gown
March 21st, 2007 @ 2:01 pm by Mrs. Snow Pea
I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful friend in the fashion industry who generously offered to design my wedding gown and have it made for me. I took some time off from school and worked in the garment district for about 2 years as a design assistant. The job was certainly not as glamorous as seen on Project Runway, but I did pick up a lot in my experience there. There are so many resources at your fingertips if you live in the NYC area. With just a little imagination, you can do anything and have anything done in New York! I love my city. Can you tell? 
A couple months ago, my friend Karla and I met up around 40th and 8th Ave, which is where all the major fabric and notions stores are located. We went straight to the source LACE STAR. They have all the laces and colors that your little heart desires. Hot pink, beads, pearls, crystals, you name it, they have it!
THE LACE- French Chantilly Lace 65″ wide! Unheard of. Well worth the price! I only need about 1.5 yards for the bodice and sleeves. Two different scalloped edges, one on each side. That’s also a wonderful plus!
Here is a photocopy of the lace pattern. This is a common practice if you can’t get a large swatch.
The sales person was nice enough to give us a little snip for texture. You can see how fine the lace is in relation to my fingers. It’s so soft and delicate to the touch.
I am so excited. I can’t wait to see some sketches from Karla!
Are any of you getting your wedding dress custom made?
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11 Responses to “Chantilly Lace For Wedding Gown”
Sorry, I hope it is not too impolite, but how much$?
My bridesmaids dresses are being made by my grandmother and her friend (no worries, they look incredible!). And my grandma is also making my veil! I’m so thankful for her personal touch in the wedding.
On average, laces withOUT beading were around $70-$100/yard but it all depends on what kind, how wide, etc. Laces with beading are much more.
I am! I fell in love with a designer gown I couldn’t afford and we’re having it ‘recreated’ for half the price. Plus, every gown in my family has been hand made (except one cousin) so I like carrying on the tradition. I love knowing that when I walk down the aisle my dress was partly made by my mom - she’s doing the initial detailing to the fabric and we’re having a dress maker do the rest. i can’t wait to see it done!
I was so excited to read about your dress, that it inspired me to blog about mine. 
I decided to have my dress made after finding a gorgeous antique lace dress. My first fitting is at the end of the month, so it has been on my mind constantly lately, and your post really brightened my day! I hope that you will continue to blog about how the process goes for you… That lace is gorgeous and I can’t wait to see how your dress turns out. Plus, I think that would be a great help to other brides who might be considering going custom!
Nancy, I would love to see your antique lace dress, as well! 
I custom designed my dress and it’s being made as we speak!
My mom was adamant about going to NYC to buy the fabric, and I just happened to find the length of antique gold poly satin that I needed from Mood.
I got my lace at Sposabella Lace - chantilly for the peek-a-boo lace once the train is bustled and wide alencon for the bolero wrap for the ceremony.
I’m making my own dress. Crazy, but true!
I bought my lace at Lace Star as well. I took a trip into the city from CT just to go and pick it up. Loved the store and the people were so helpful — sometimes the stores that deal directly with the fashion district can be intimidating and a little snotty. Lace Star was not like that at all. Lace as DEFINITELY expensive but totally worth it. Even got the lace for my mantilla.
I looked all over NYC when I was thinking about having a dress made (ended up finding my perfect dress at a sample sale, but anyway…) Lace Star was the cheapest source for quality lace, plus great selection. Yea to Lace Star! Plus the Asian staff were nice about negotiating when they saw my DF was one of them, hee hee.
In contrast, Sposabella was expensive and the salespeople were pushy.
One caveat: At Lace Star they will make you a veil from whatever lace you buy there, BUT they will glue it on! What a shame to splatter glue all over that gorgeous lace, plus the glue will yellow and harden over time — yuck.
where i’m from custom made is the norm–but in my case, it was my sister who made my dress. also made with chantilly lace and silk satin for the lining. so beautiful! (hee. love your own.)
Mrs. Snow Pea, New York
Age and Occupation: 26, Architectural Engineer and student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Web Designer
Engagement Date: July 4, 2005
Wedding Date: August 18, 2007
About Me: I am a DIY gal. From cooking, home improvements to wedding. Mr. Snow Pea and I met in college, and since then we've been like peas and carrots! Love cooking, traveling, and fishing.
My BA is in apparel design, and I am so envious. I would love to be in a city with great laces and resources. I have been saying I am making my dress out of an old tablecloth, but it is antique lace and linen. It isn’t big enough, so I will be using silk too. I am going to a gem show this weekend and if time permits I will be sewing real pearls onto my dress. I don’t have a career in fashion, but I am using my college degree for the first time to get married in a “University” club.