The Big Day, Finally Here! Part Three and Also The Finale: Sydney’s Wedding!

With Sydney’s big day almost here, I had to choose a pattern to make and wear for the wedding day. Grandma had three different wedding dress patterns in her collection. I decided to stick with the wedding theme and pick one of those for my outfit. I chose this pattern, from 1965.

I discovered that Grandma had indeed made this pattern, in view 2. I asked a lot of family if they knew what she had made the dress for. Someone’s wedding? Just a formal event? But no one knew. What I did know was that I was going to have to up size this pattern.

Pattern sizes are never the size you would wear at the store. I have no idea why this is, but my pattern size is always bigger than my off the rack size. Proof that sizes really are just a random number. I quickly found out that in 1965 though, I would be a much bigger size than my off the rack size, AND my modern pattern size. But no matter, I was getting better at sizing patterns, but just to be on the safe side, I decided to make the dress out of Grandpa’s WWII fabric first.

After all, I did have tons of it.

I sized the pattern easily enough, if I was doing it right! HA! The dress went together quickly, and I needed it to, I had so much sewing still to do!

Putting in the zipper.

The pattern called for horsehair in the hem. In 1965 it would have been made out of a really stiff fabric. Maybe it still is, but in my time crunch I ordered some that was plastic. It’s purpose is to make the hem of the dress stick out in a little circle around my legs…like a 1960’s hoop skirt.

When I got the hem with horsehair finished, I did not like it. It made the dress awkward. I think it is because I had plastic horsehair and not a more forgiving fabric version. I took it out and decided not to bother with it for my actual dress for the wedding.

I loved the way the mock up dress turned out, and the fit was perfect! But where would I wear it? I couldn’t let a good outfit go to waste! The mock up dress made it’s public debut on Veteran’s Day. What better outfit to wear than one made out of actual WWII fabric?

I dressed my formal, bridesmaid patterned dress down by wearing leggings, boots, and a scarf. It was cold that day!

Just casually standing in front of my local American Legion Hall.

*side note, my lipstick is “Victory Red”, a color by Besame Cosmetics. It is a reproduction color from the 1940’s.

*Scarf made by my mom 🙂

The wedding day was getting closer. I needed to make my final dress, and a shirt for Michael (my husband) to wear to coordinate with me. I chose this pattern, which might look familiar as I made it for David already. Sometimes it’s easiest to go with what you know, especially when there is a time constraint!

I chose two colors that would match the fabric that I was using for my final dress. The shirt went together with no problems, which is always good!

Time to get to work on my dress, in view 3. If you read my previous post, you’ll know that I tried to make a pillbox hat to go with this dress, and it didn’t quite work. I would have to find a hat, but I was sure that I had one of Grandma’s vintage hats that would work.

Side note about my love of hats. I have always loved hats and vintage style everything. Grandma knew this and had given me all of her vintage hats before she passed. She said she knew I would wear them and cherish them. In Grandma’s hat collection were two very special hats. A pink and black feathered one, that Grandma wore on her wedding day, and a black hat with a green feather, that my Great Grandma Sophrona bought and wore specifically for Grandma and Grandpa’s wedding. And so I started calling them the “wedding” hats, and told Grandma that they would make an appearance at the next family wedding.

Here’s Grandma and Grandpa on their wedding day, sadly there are no photos of Great Grandma Sophrona in her hat.

The next family wedding came! My cousin Russell got married and the wedding hats made their reintroduction into society! Grandma did not go to the wedding, but when she saw the picture of us in the hats, she said she cried. She was so happy that we were wearing them, and honoring her and Great Grandma Sophrona. She also said that Mia looked cute in her pink hat, but maybe not as cute as she did on her wedding day wearing it! HA!!

So hats became a must wear from then on at any formal event. Thus me now worrying about a hat for this event!

Here we are at Russell’s wedding in the hats, looking cute (but not as cute as Grandma) with my Dad.

Back to the sew.

I had my resized pattern pinned and ready to cut out. To trace my newly sized pattern, I used old paper from a desk calendar. The sheets were larger than normal paper, and there is no sense in buying paper when I could re purpose these sheets of paper.

Sewing, sewing, sewing…..

I chose this floral fabric because I thought it had a 1965 look to it, but also would go well with a fall wedding.

Attaching the bodice to the skirt.

Like all of the vintage patterns I’ve sewn so far, this one called for hem tape. Of course, Grandma had some that would match my outfit. Grandma for the win, as always.

The day before the wedding had come! Rehearsal and dinner, and I had the perfect outfit, my mock up dress!

Looking fashionable with one of my favorite people in the whole world, my gorgeous cousin Rhonda!

The evening of rehearsal got chilly, so I was happy to pair my 1965’s styled dress with the 1960’s jacket that I had previously made. And can we all just appreciate how much my necklace coordinates with this outfit! My sweet cousin (or niece, just because I love her like my nieces) Daphne made this incredible necklace! You can check her out on Instagram @ laureltreehealing.

*This lipstick color is also by Besame, and is “What a Peach”, from the Lucille Ball collection.

Enjoying the night before the wedding with my kids, Rhonda, and the mother and father of the bride. (Yep, Scott and Noelle in case you didn’t know. Do strangers read my blog? Who knows!)

The big day had finally come! And like I suspected, Grandma had the perfect hat to go with my outfit! Besides the Bride and the Groom, I vote us for best dressed couple! HA!

*Pearl necklace was Grandma’s, and bracelet is another creation by Daphne.

Patiently waiting for the ceremony to start.

David and I looking spiffy. David is wearing his Great-Grandfather Vito’s tuxedo jacket from the 1970’s. Very spiffy indeed!

The ceremony was beautiful, as were the Ayala-Westbrook family!

Time to celebrate their happy day!

Having a laugh!

And a good time was had by all!

I must say that getting dressed up for an event and wearing a hat is always a joyful occasion! I cannot wait for my next big event!

Now with this event sew finished, I only had one more lined up. You might remember that I’ve had my sister’s skirt for the Winchester Mystery House, my bridal shower dress, and then all of the patterns for Sydney’s wedding to sew on a deadline. There was one more however, so stay tuned for that!

So back to the sewing room I go, and as always, onto the next!