Kiran's Sari-Inspired Wedding Dress, Part 3 Video: East meets West

You can now check out the making of Kiran's Sari Inspired Wedding Dress in a video format, on youtube here.

The video is split into 3 parts, so make sure you don't miss any parts!

Part one is here.

Watch all the detail and work that goes into making this stunning wedding dress!

Kiran's Sari-Inspired Wedding Dress, Part 2: East meets West

After more than 30 hours of hand sewing, 6 metres of hand beaded Sari, 5 metres of bright Pink Silk Dupion, 5 metres of blue silk lining, 3 metres of silk organza, and countless pins, threads and patience, I give you... Kiran's Sari Inspired Wedding Dress!










(Above, a photo of the back at the unfinished stage- I still needed to finish the hem and hand applique the sari beading onto the pink silk)



(above, the dress before I had hand appliqued the beading. This is at the 2nd fitting stage)


In August I started to show you the Sari Inspired Wedding Dress I was making for Kiran. Take a look at Part 1 here.



(above, the design at the unfinished stage- before the handsewing hand been started. You can see the over-skirt made from most of the sari)

I have now completed the design, and Kiran's wedding was on during the past weekend, so I can show you all the finished design! I intend to include professional photos from the photographer at the wedding, but until I can get a copy, my little snap shots will have to do!

I am also aiming to create a video of the making of this dress- as there is so much work involved, and photos will not really cut it!

For now, I have included below a few photos that I took during the making of this design. It truly is one of most favourite creations, and I am very proud to share it with you!


Cutting out the pink silk dupion for the dress and overskirt edge, and below: sewing the sari chiffon to the pink silk.



Above, the centre back. I created this beautiful shape, being inspired by the shape of the sari beading. I wanted the centre back to be a focus and create lots of interest. Later on, I decided to place one of the Sari beaded motif's in this area.


Above, unpicking the beading. Every place where there was a seam, or where the beading finished at an edge, I would need to unpick the beading and catch all the loose threads. People don't generally realise that as soon as you include beaded fabric to a design, the time taken to finish it is at least doubled because of this.

Below, the beautiful beaded design of the sari- this part of the sari was appliquéd around the bust area on the corset dress and at the centre back of the train.



A picture of the overskirt before I started to add any of the beaded trim.


Creating the corset which sits inside the dress.



Above, finishing off the inside of the overskirt- the inside must be as neat as the outside!

Our Wedding Anniversary: Photos of my Wedding Dress

My hubbie and I recently celebrated our Wedding Anniversary! What better way to mark the occasion than to share a few photos of my dress from our wedding day...



I love re-looking through our wedding photos. I have recently framed a few, and placed them on our bedroom walls- as soon as I wake up, I see them, and they always make me happy.

My Mum and I made the entire wedding dress. We hand stitched on every single last bead! It took us months to bead it all- but every time I look at my dress, I believe it was worth it!



As soon as we became engaged, I knew exactly the kind of dress I wanted- strapless with a fishtail.

I started off with the basic shape in mind, then the design evolved from there. I wanted beading/embellishment that was obvious- something a little bit Art Deco/Art Noveau to match the gorgeous ring my Husband chose for me.




I found a lace that suited the theme, which featured a fleur-de-lis motif, so I used this to inspire the rest of the design. The shape of the fleur-de-lis is mirrored in the contrasting panelling, as well as the large flower motifs that have been beaded down the side panels.



I decided to have a button back (with the corset inside the dress), and when it came to buttons, I had initially planned fabric covered... then my Mum discovered some buttons that my Grandmother had given her. They were old crystal buttons- that were just gorgeous! There wasn't enough to match, but I didn't care. I thought it would be a nice addition to the dress, and it really would make it special-something no one else would have!



I used silver diamantes and silver glass beads as the main beading, as the engagement ring was made from platinum and diamonds. I knew that I would wear my strand of antique pearls and earrings (another present from my hubbie!) with my dress, so I added pearls to the beading to create a more subtle line between the diamante and silk.




I added the lace to the edge of the train, at the back, as well as one motif each to the centre front and centre back (where the panels join at the knees). Lines of silver beads and tiny pearls were beaded down towards the train hem where the lace sits.




The hat/fascinator I wore on the day, was made by myself- using fabric and beads left over from the dress.


I also made a faux fur stole to go with the look!






We took photos in front of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.


It really is hard to describe and take photos that do the dress justice! I hope you like the few photos I have included from the day.

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