Bespoke, Custom Made and Made to Measure.

So, what exactly is the difference? Well, a lot really.

Most brides will enter a bridal salon and buy a ready-to-wear bridal gown which may need alterations for length and fit.

The next option is made-to-measure.

Made to measure is a wedding gown made to order from an adjusted block pattern. You may find a strapless gown and add straps to it. You may find a zip up back closure but prefer a corset or lace-up. All that happens with made to measure is the basic pattern/style is adjusted to a clients specific needs.

Bespoke.

A bespoke gown is traditionally cut from a pattern drafted from scratch for the customer. A design will take place and the pattern will be drafted to that specification. There is no basic pattern block.

So, that's cleared that up. x

Competition!!!

Well, you may or may not know of our fantastic competition we launched on Monday. The opportunity to win a bespoke wedding gown, bespoke tiara or piece of jewellery designed by HF Couture, and an amazing photoshoot with slideshow DVD with Xposure Photography. Runner up will receive a £75.00 gift certificate to spend on a bridesmaid gown from the extensive range at Simply Wedding Dresses.

We've had an amazing response so thank you to all who have entered so far.

There is still plenty of time to get your entries in and there is no word count limit. It doesn't matter how romantic or low key it was, it was still your 'Down on one knee moment'. It will stay with you forever.

Good luck!

Find all of the details here.

Definately Pretty Maids all in a row!

Oh my days, how totally gorgeous are these ladies? These pictures are just in from one of these lovely bridesmaids, Laura, so thank you for allowing me to use them. Well, I just had too!!

The ladies were bridesmaids to my client Rachel who married on Saturday.

Floaty, 100% silk crepe satin with a 100% silk chiffon overlay. All cut on the bias to add extra movement.

Each petal of the corsages was individually cut, stiffened and then assembled using guinea foul feathers, leather and grey beads for texture.

Nothing much more I can say really. Sassy, classy and fabalicious!!

I Love it When...

...I receive pictures from my brides. I appreciate them thinking of me and regard it as an extention of wanting to share each moment of their day with me. So to Bryn and Becky, thank you for these. The comments I have received have been amazing, and clients who have yet to have their gowns started, are giddy with excitement.

As I am now well established into my second year and having had the opportunity of making some truly awesome gowns, I need to clear up a few minor bug bears I have, and offer a little something back. (afterall, I wouldn't be celebrating if it wasn't for all of you!) I want to wipe away once and for all the stigma that home dressmaking is still something mum did in the 60's using the old curtains from the spare room to make the ultimate holiday frock. (yes, I hear ya baby!)

To shout out loud that bespoke isn't (no really it isn't) the dream, blow-the-budget option. A client once told me she nearly fell off her chair when she received her quote. "I really wasn't going to bother asking," she said. "I can't believe my dream gown is well within my budget. I'll have three!!" Oh yes, she really is having three!!

So, how am I going to share my success with you? Well, hold on to your hats ladies, I'm offering an awesome experience.

Tomorow, I am launching my first ever competition (so be gentle with me ladies)

Dresses at No. 9 (me) have teamed up with HF Couture, Xposure Photography and Simply Wedding Dresses, to offer one lucky bride the opportunity in having a bespoke wedding gown to the value of £1,000, bespoke tiara or choice of accessory to the value of £100 and a Model or For Your Eyes Only photo shoot complete with slideshow image DVD to the value of £300.
Runner up will receive a gift certificate to the value of £75.00 to spend towards a bridesmaid gown from the vast collection of dresses at Simply Wedding Dresses, Bingley.

So, what have you got to do to win this prize?

Log on to the website tomorrow. You'll find everything you need to know

http://dressesatno9.co.uk/competition.aspx

Busy weekend wedding wise.

Firstly, another huge congratulations to Rachel on her wedding today.

Would love to have been able to pop across, but client commitment collided with time. However, I hope you had and are still having an amazing day.

Rachel wanted something funky for her bridesmaids so opted for a 100% silk chiffon and silk crepe satin. The gowns would be finished with a light fluted hemline and single shoulder strap of handmade chiffon flowers finished with guinea fowl feathers.

The silk chiffon was cut on the bias giving shape to the body and hemline. The length was just enough to 'play' on the knees when the girls walked.

Using textures of silk chiffon, lace, leather and feathers, each corsage flower was made individually by assembling a number of individually cut petals. The centers were finished with grey pearl beads.

The spot in the guinea fowl finished this funky, retro look perfectly.

Rachel, may I take the opportunity to say how I shall miss you all. You have been an amazing client and it was a pleasure to have been involved with something so unique.

That Friday Feeling!

And yes I have it!

First off, I would like to say, many, many congratulations to Becky and Bryn today. I cannot believe how fast your day has come around. It's been a sheer delight making this awesome bespoke gown for Becky and I know i've made a few, but this is my idea of total princessism (if that is even a word!)
So, I'm going to save the best for last on this occasion, the creme de la creme so to speak.

I'm not going to delve into the details of how our paths crossed, but they did and I believe Becky and I have forged a friendship and as many of my clients, today will not be the end, simply the beginning.

So' as Julie Andrews once said. "Let's start at the very beginning." It seems a pretty good place to start.

Becky commisioned me to make this awesome wedding gown, and it has to be said that it really is awesome, not because it was me who made it, but because of the fabulous challenge it presented me with. The lace, the silk, the draping of fabric, my dressmakers dream!

Becky chose a wonderful, sumptious purple taffeta for her adult bridesmaid. I emailed pictures across for her approval and Becky finally decided on a style.

Ok, so now at this point I need to mention Becky and her bridal party live in Stoke-on-Trent, a mere 2 hour drive away from me so most of our contact was done via e mail.

So, we have one adult with a slender silloutte and lace-up closure and two (Becky's daughters) lovely flower girl dresses with pick-up point detail to the skirt.

The front bow detail worked perfectly (not with the smaller silk gown as concerns were raised that the bow just may be 'fiddled with' if it were tied to the front.

Purple shot taffeta for the adult bridesmaid and becky's older daughter.

White 100% silk dupion gown for becky's daughter.


Bodice detail


Front view


Back view



So, now on to the Pièce de résistance, or for you non Frenck folk, the best bit, Becky's bespoke gown.


Made from 100% white silk dupion, the corseted bodice was hand pleated and then finished with a fabulous beaded lace motif ( every motif was cut and hand stitched to the bodice).
Each clear seqin sparkled as it caught the light.

The gown had a full built in petticoat finished with a soft lace edge.

The detail at the skirt waist and hip area were hand draped and then stitched for an even look.

And the back was a lace up style with a hand bustled skirt finished with beaded and sequin motifs.

I simply cannot wait to see the whole ensamble and official photo's winging their way.

It's been an absolute pleasure, becky. You made my dream come true by allowing me to make this fantastic gown for you.