Building up Necklines (part 2)

Today's blog post will feature a chiffon neckline build up.  The full breasted lady often struggles with keeping things in check.  Over the years we have helped to prevent numerous 'wardrobe malfunctions'.  We believe that on our wedding day is not the day to wear and over revealing dress.  We don't want the only thing that the guests to notice or remember is our breasts.

This is one of the most unforgettable fails I have ever seen in all my 42 years of working with brides!

 This poor gal probably had a nightmare of a time finding a gown that would fit.  Actually it would be an impossibility to find anything off the rack (which clearly is what she did) that would be proportioned properly to her.

Had she been our bride I would have created the perfect build up to embrace those breasts and yet keep the  original overall look true to conception.

This is one of our brides whose gown was custom made.  The original pictures she brought us had a very open neckline.  When we had our first fitting we asked about her comfort level when Grandma and Grandpa would be in the room.  She thought she would be fine and that the gown was not too revealing.  However!  Grandma came to share our joy on her 'final' fitting and she realized I was right:  She would be more comfortable with more coverage.  

So rather than picking up her gown we were allowed to spend a little more quality time with it and when our bride returned this was the result.  

Whew!  Yes, it does feel more 'bride like' to reveal less on our wedding day.

Revealing too much is a problem often faced by fuller breasted ladies. 

 It's a problem we frequently overcome!

Building Up Necklines.

We frequently have clients who need to have a certain modicum of modesty in their gowns.

Gowns of every variety fall in this category.  

Today's blog is about one project to build up the neckline.

The gown was purchased from our sale rack for $99.00 

With some modification it will be they had been looking for.  

One problem was  the neckline was far to open.  

This is a frequent problem we overcome.

The gown had long sleeves which she wanted shortened.  We removed the motifs from the old sleeves to build up the neckline.  Here they are removed and are being laid out to see how to best place them.           

Our girl is a very special girl with Cerebral Palsy and so it is important that the gown feel comfortable on her.  With that in mind we chose sheer nylon tricot for the foundation of the re-construction of the neckline. 

Then we placed the motifs on the foundation.

Of course they had to be moved around a little bit to create the frame.

Oh yes, be sure to leave seam allowance for attachment into the existing neckline.

Pinning the motifs down so we can begin sewing.

Pin it into the neckline for a 'test drive' to be sure we are placing things perfectly.

Still pinned and minor motif movement is nearly complete.

The piece is removed from the neckline to sew the lace to the foundation.  All hand sewn.

 Hundreds of tiny stitches that we do not want to be seen, but need to be secure are place around the edge of each motif and through the beads to assure none will fall off.

Motifs appliqued to the foundation and now the built up neckline is ready to be placed.

Carefully pining on the left side to sew in and snaps will be applied to the right side from the shoulder to the zipper. 

Detail photo of the new panel pinned into place.  This was also completely hand sewn into place. 

 We did not start taking pictures when we started this project.  Nor have we taken the finished photos.  We will take those tomorrow.  If you will note the time lapse on the photo:  the applique took about 3 hours to complete.  Total time on this gown is 35 hours.  Next week we will do a blog on an entirely different neckline build up.