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Mrs. Taffy, Ann Arbor Age and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive Designer Engagement Date: May 9, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2009 Blogging Since: September 14, 2008 Venue: University of Michigan Union About Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.
About Mrs. Taffy

Over the past year and a half I have been able to lend my sewing skills to a few brides that I am very close to. One bride in particular was Miss K, who had a beautiful outdoor wedding last September.

The veil:

Miss K wanted a simple tulle veil, which I was happy to make for her! A tutorial will be coming soon! Here’s the view from the front:

Sewing I Have Done for Weddings: My First Wedding Dress Surgery and a Tie Attempt :  wedding ann arbor diy menswear wedding dress T1 t1

The veil from the back (It was a bit windy!):

Sewing I Have Done for Weddings: My First Wedding Dress Surgery and a Tie Attempt :  wedding ann arbor diy menswear wedding dress T2 t2

A fun action shot from the reception:

Sewing I Have Done for Weddings: My First Wedding Dress Surgery and a Tie Attempt :  wedding ann arbor diy menswear wedding dress T3 t3

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Miss K getting ready, just for fun! Lila is the cutest pooch I have ever seen. She walked down the aisle with the ring bearer during the ceremony.

Sewing I Have Done for Weddings: My First Wedding Dress Surgery and a Tie Attempt :  wedding ann arbor diy menswear wedding dress T4 t4

Ok, ok, back to the sewing. A few days before the wedding, Miss K called and was very upset. She had gone to pick up her dress and it had a nasty surprise… the seamstress had taken extra beading off of the train and placed it in the front center of the bodice, like Miss K wanted, but it was lopsided. I went to her mother’s house that night and did some wedding gown surgery—I removed all of the beading, and sewed it back on so that it was completely straight. I don’t think that we have any ‘before’ pictures, but here is the ‘after’:

Sewing I Have Done for Weddings: My First Wedding Dress Surgery and a Tie Attempt :  wedding ann arbor diy menswear wedding dress T5 t5

A very relieved bride! :) I was so glad that I was able to help. If any of you are interested in having something on hand in case of a beading emergency, make sure that you have a beading needle (very long and thin), and most importantly, a threader! The beading needles are so thin, it is near impossible to thread without aid. You can use normal sewing thread in case of a beading emergency, but the opening for most beads or crystals are too small to go over a standard sewing needle.

Next on my sewing list for Miss K’s wedding was making a dress for myself, and a tie for Mr. Taffy!

Sewing I Have Done for Weddings: My First Wedding Dress Surgery and a Tie Attempt :  wedding ann arbor diy menswear wedding dress T6 t6

My dress:

It took me quite a while to draft the patterns for this dress, but I am really pleased with the result! I actually made this dress out of a cotton sateen bed sheet! I fell in love with the color, and it was less expensive to buy this flat sheet (it was from a sold separately collection) than to go to the fabric store. Also, it is kind of hard to come by high quality cotton fabric in the Detroit area. If you need any white or colored cotton fabric for any DIY projects, never rule out using sheets! Buy a cotton/poly blend if you are concerned about wrinkles. Muslin works great for projects too, but if you need a high quality thread count, you can get about the same amount of cotton per yard by buying a flat sheet. Bed Bath and Beyond has great coupons and a big selection of sold-separately flat sheets. :)

Mr. T’s tie:

This was my first attempt at making a tie. I was planning on using the same fabric of the dress, but I used up almost every inch (darn those pleats!). Luckily I was able to find a matching silk dupioni at Haberman’s in Royal Oak. The tie took a really long time to make, as it was all hand sewn. I’m not sure if I’m going to be making any more of those anytime soon!!!

Here’s a closer look at the tie:

Sewing I Have Done for Weddings: My First Wedding Dress Surgery and a Tie Attempt :  wedding ann arbor diy menswear wedding dress T7 t7

It matches Mr. Taffy’s beautiful eyes! :)

All images by Jerome Burns, except the tie close-up (hand held by yours truly!).

Tags: ann arbor, diy, menswear, wedding-dress |
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34 Responses to “Sewing I Have Done for Weddings: My First Wedding Dress Surgery and a Tie Attempt”

1 2 

1.
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Member
DCbrideinATL (message)  142 posts, Blushing bee

I am still having a hard time believing that that beautiful dress used to be a bed sheet! Amazing. Can’t wait to see all your other DIY projects!

 
2.
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Guest
sbush777

so any thoughts on Etsy?

 
3.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Jasmine (message)  1,170 posts, Bumble bee

That dress is SO gorgeous! You’re really talented :)

 
4.
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Bee
Miss Sea Breeze (message)  972 posts, Busy bee

Out of a bed sheet? Um, WOW! It’s beautiful! I’m totally calling you MacGyver from now on.

 
5.
frenchbulldog
Bee
frenchbulldog (message)  7,730 posts, Bee Keeper

Your dress is GORG! OMG - when are you going on Project Runway again? I forgot. ;-)

 
6.
hbowar
Member
hbowar (message)  547 posts, Busy bee

I love your dress! I can’t believe that was a bed sheet! I agree with AliCherri1 - you should go on Project Runway!

 
7.
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Guest
Vic004

You are amazing, and now my sewing idol!!

 
8.
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Debi

WOW. I’m so impressed and envious of your sewing skills. I can’t sew for anything. I once tried to make a really pretty valance for a bedroom window and used a piece of fabric that I stapled to a piece of wood, glued the hem and then attached it to the window with two screws! My motto has always been “If you can’t glue it, don’t do it!” *shrug* I wish I had your skills!

 
9.
cannotwait
Member
cannotwait (message)  2,166 posts, Buzzing bee

this really makes me want to take sewing lessons…my mom sews, but I never full took it up, but she recently willed me an older machine that I have no idea how to use ;)

 
10.
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Bee
Miss Shortcake (message)  465 posts, Helper bee

very impressive! I received a sewing machine as my undergrad present, but I’m still a newbie - your dress looks amazing!

 
11.
Mrs. Lemon
Bee
Mrs. Lemon (message)  628 posts, Busy bee

A sheet by golly?!? You are so my type of resourceful crafter!!! :)

 
12.
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Member
NYAmber (message)  81 posts, Worker bee

You are talented… if you aren’t on Etsy, you should be. I totally love that dress. What other crafty abilities are you holding out on?

 
13.
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Guest
violarulz

I’m super handy w/ my sewing machine, but tailoring and making patters are where I look like an amature. I can make curtains and A-line skirts all day long, but when it comes to boob-darts and princess seams I make some some fab looking potato sacks! You don’t happen to know anyone in the Denver/Boulder who can teach me to not make potato sacks, do you?

 
14.
Maude
Member
Maude (message)  354 posts, Helper bee

You got skillz!!! And that is clever to use a sheet!

 
15.
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Guest
Ms Popcorn

heh, my mom also observed during my wedding planning process than things like sheets and curtains can often be cheaper sources of fabrics than buying from the fabric stores. We considered converting a sheer curtain into a veil for a while before deciding that good ol’ tulle would be fine after all.

I often wish I had pattern drafting and alteration skills to round out my basic sewing machine and pattern following skills, but it’s an investment in time to develop those skills that I haven’t prioritized yet. I very much admire your work.

 
16.
tea
Member
tea (message)  7,263 posts, Bee Keeper

you’re like scarlett o’hara making a dress out of the curtains! i love it! and thanks for the tip on using bed sheets…that may just work for a future project of mine :-)

 
17.
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Guest
zoe

I totally wanted to make a dress out of these adorable bed sheets I saw once. Alas, a seamstress I am definitely not, lol I am in awe of your amazing skills! :)

 
18.
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Guest
blythe

i have sheets in a very very similar color… you did a marvelous job with that dress and tie. wowee!

 
19.
thriftsiren
Member
thriftsiren (message)  176 posts, Blushing bee

I’ve done curtains and pillows from sheets, but never a DRESS! And a fab one at that! Too cute! You are an inspiration! I am in awe of couture tie as well!

 
20.
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mandy

When my mom used to sew, she would occasionally buy sheets to use as well!

 
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Mrs. Taffy
Mrs. Taffy

Mrs. Taffy, Ann Arbor Age and Occupation: 28, Color and Materials Designer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Automotive Designer Engagement Date: May 9, 2008 Wedding Date: May 2009 Blogging Since: September 14, 2008 Venue: University of Michigan Union About Me: I’m a girl who is crazy about Mr. Taffy, sewing, dancing, almost all types of sweets, and our cute pet canaries. I dislike touching fuzzy fabric of any kind, eating somewhat squishy food, and Michigan winters. Mr. Taffy and I are having a blast planning our Ann Arbor wedding, and cannot wait to share our day with friends and family.

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