The truth I want to send up this Tuesday, June 11, 2019 is also the humorous truth I convey on most evenings of the days that end in "y":
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Tomorrow (6/12/2019) marks six months to the day that Lee and I are getting married (legal wedding date 12/12/2019). We’re super excited:
We have most of the big picture components planned, now its just a matter of executing the small details.
One task that I thought was complete was dress selection. BUT, a suggested link from Pintrest has challenged me to embark on a journey to design and substantially make my own wedding dress. I saw this picture:
And I learned that the designer was featured in SEVERAL articles and was even on Good Morning America (https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/bride-crochets-wedding-gown-bus-commute/story?id=25739335):
I thought to myself: “I am a commuting bride-to-be who is creative, cost-conscious and enjoys crocheting!” So, I took to Pintrest, Esty, Ravelry and LoveKnitting to get inspired. I found ALOT of BEAUTIFUL dresses. But, NO patterns that match my preferred aesthetic.
From 2013-2015, my fiancé and I used to binge watch TLC (*fondly remembers Friday Bride Days*) with “Say Yes to the Dress”, “Four Weddings”, “I Found the Gown” and “Something Borrowed, Something New.” We gleaned several tips from David Tutera’s “My Fair Wedding.” That being said, I am not one of those brides who can’t picture her dream wedding dress. I have known for a while that these are the certain things that I want in my dream wedding dress:
Originally, I bought this dress:
But, once I had it in hand, I was NOT in love with the dress and was regretting saying “yes” to this particular dress. The window for returning it had closed. So, I just planned to sell it unworn with tags on to consignment.
Bad News: NOTHING that I saw online showed how to crochet a dress with most/all of the elements I want OR that compared to the replacement dress. So, in the spirit of “Something Borrowed, Something New” (the TLC series where brides-to-be chose between a new designer dress or their reimagined family heirloom dress), I am going to crochet a new cocktail dress (Crochet Lace Dress "Jane",Instant Download pattern, detailed tutorial, PDF, written, schematical, summer, bodycon, for woman, ladies', women ; Designed by Galina Zarubina https://www.etsy.com/listing/512158358/crochet-lace-dress-janeinstant-download):
….And pair it with the tulle skirt from first dress I bought that I couldn’t return. Since the dress will be plain (IDK how to crochet with beads/sequins), I am planning to pair it with a bling-ed out bridal belt and a pearl/gemstone jewelry.
We’ll see how this goes…(And I still might buy the replacement dress if my DIY project goes awry).
So, let the documentation of this #CrochetMagic journey begin!!!
(BACKGROUND: I consider myself an intermediate crochet-er. I’ve NEVER made an actual garment. I’ve made a few beverage koozies, blankets and two amigurumi animals (a t-rex for Ashton, a doll for Dottie’s daughter and a teddy bear for Olivia). The closest I’ve come to a garment is making a few hats, scarves, and one shawl. I talked myself out of making sweaters, mittens or fingerless gloves because the patterns looked too complicated. I do not know how to read crochet charts. But, I can read crochet patterns.)
STEP 1: Earlier tonight, I stopped by Michael’s to pick up the supplies:
Bittersweet News: The "Jane" dress crochet instructions are very detailed (a total of 13 pages long with a written pattern, charts, tips, and pictures). The first piece of advice was to read the entire pattern before beginning the process. So, I did. Unfortunately, there are a few typographical and labeling errors that left me confused and had me questioning whether or not I regretted attempting to crochet a dress. The way the pattern writer writes and the way I think to crochet were not getting along. But, some trial/error and deductive reasoning “unlocked the door.” Thank God there are both written instructions and a chart. I couldn't read charts at all before today. But, honey when I tell you they make a difference when the written pattern is confusing or incorrect. *exhale* YES, I am ready to give this a try!
STEP 2: Begin crocheting!!! *smiles*
Buuuuuuuut, then I realized that I didn’t know how to do the very first step in the pattern. I misunderstood the method for the foundation chain (O_o … I had NEVER heard of a "chainless foundation double crochet"…TEHEHE). Sooo, I watched videos on YouTube. These were the most helpful:
Over the course of an hour, I tried (failed several times), but eventually got the hang of the chainless foundation double crochet working with the scrap yarn from a previous project:
I started working with the yarn that I bought for project (by the way, working with Super Fine fingering lace weight yarn requires patience! It splits easily and likes to knot-up around itself…WELP).
I am going to take a picture of the progress that I make on tomorrow’s morning commute (and will post it on my next update). For now, I’m noticing how late it is, I’m going to go sleep…cheers to champagne wishes and crochet dreams!!! GOOD NIGHT *smiles*
P.S. I was so tired that I forgot to publish the blog before I went to sleep....SMH/LOLOL :-)
One task that I thought was complete was dress selection. BUT, a suggested link from Pintrest has challenged me to embark on a journey to design and substantially make my own wedding dress. I saw this picture:
And I learned that the designer was featured in SEVERAL articles and was even on Good Morning America (https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/bride-crochets-wedding-gown-bus-commute/story?id=25739335):
I thought to myself: “I am a commuting bride-to-be who is creative, cost-conscious and enjoys crocheting!” So, I took to Pintrest, Esty, Ravelry and LoveKnitting to get inspired. I found ALOT of BEAUTIFUL dresses. But, NO patterns that match my preferred aesthetic.
From 2013-2015, my fiancé and I used to binge watch TLC (*fondly remembers Friday Bride Days*) with “Say Yes to the Dress”, “Four Weddings”, “I Found the Gown” and “Something Borrowed, Something New.” We gleaned several tips from David Tutera’s “My Fair Wedding.” That being said, I am not one of those brides who can’t picture her dream wedding dress. I have known for a while that these are the certain things that I want in my dream wedding dress:
- Bling
- Classic/Vintage
- Elegant
- Je ne sais quoi (unique)
- Lace/Sheer elements
- Mermaid/Trumpet OR ball gown silhouette
- Open or Dramatic back
- Pearls
- Sweetheart OR Bateau OR Off-the-Shoulder neckline
- Three-quarter length sleeves
- Two in one ceremony to reception dress adaptability
Originally, I bought this dress:
But, once I had it in hand, I was NOT in love with the dress and was regretting saying “yes” to this particular dress. The window for returning it had closed. So, I just planned to sell it unworn with tags on to consignment.
This is the dress that I fell in love with (and I originally planned to buy from DH Gate as the replacement):
(Oooohweeeee that is one BAD dress!!!)
….And pair it with the tulle skirt from first dress I bought that I couldn’t return. Since the dress will be plain (IDK how to crochet with beads/sequins), I am planning to pair it with a bling-ed out bridal belt and a pearl/gemstone jewelry.
We’ll see how this goes…(And I still might buy the replacement dress if my DIY project goes awry).
###
So, let the documentation of this #CrochetMagic journey begin!!!
(BACKGROUND: I consider myself an intermediate crochet-er. I’ve NEVER made an actual garment. I’ve made a few beverage koozies, blankets and two amigurumi animals (a t-rex for Ashton, a doll for Dottie’s daughter and a teddy bear for Olivia). The closest I’ve come to a garment is making a few hats, scarves, and one shawl. I talked myself out of making sweaters, mittens or fingerless gloves because the patterns looked too complicated. I do not know how to read crochet charts. But, I can read crochet patterns.)
STEP 1: Earlier tonight, I stopped by Michael’s to pick up the supplies:
Bittersweet News: The "Jane" dress crochet instructions are very detailed (a total of 13 pages long with a written pattern, charts, tips, and pictures). The first piece of advice was to read the entire pattern before beginning the process. So, I did. Unfortunately, there are a few typographical and labeling errors that left me confused and had me questioning whether or not I regretted attempting to crochet a dress. The way the pattern writer writes and the way I think to crochet were not getting along. But, some trial/error and deductive reasoning “unlocked the door.” Thank God there are both written instructions and a chart. I couldn't read charts at all before today. But, honey when I tell you they make a difference when the written pattern is confusing or incorrect. *exhale* YES, I am ready to give this a try!
WHOO-HOO...I am feeling pumped! (Yes, I am "live" blogging this process...LOLOL)
So, let's...
So, let's...
STEP 2: Begin crocheting!!! *smiles*
Buuuuuuuut, then I realized that I didn’t know how to do the very first step in the pattern. I misunderstood the method for the foundation chain (O_o … I had NEVER heard of a "chainless foundation double crochet"…TEHEHE). Sooo, I watched videos on YouTube. These were the most helpful:
Over the course of an hour, I tried (failed several times), but eventually got the hang of the chainless foundation double crochet working with the scrap yarn from a previous project:
I started working with the yarn that I bought for project (by the way, working with Super Fine fingering lace weight yarn requires patience! It splits easily and likes to knot-up around itself…WELP).
I am going to take a picture of the progress that I make on tomorrow’s morning commute (and will post it on my next update). For now, I’m noticing how late it is, I’m going to go sleep…cheers to champagne wishes and crochet dreams!!! GOOD NIGHT *smiles*
P.S. I was so tired that I forgot to publish the blog before I went to sleep....SMH/LOLOL :-)
