Wedding season is truly upon us, and one way to make sure you don’t turn up in the same dress as someone else, (or God forbid a bridesmaid!) is to make your own. The vibes are a mix of floaty and fitted, super comfortable whilst staying sophisticated and elegant, with a combination of fluid silks and satins, or linens for a warmer day.
Of course, not forgetting the ONE crucial rule to remember when choosing a wedding guest dress, DO NOT WEAR WHITE (and bonus point if you can avoid wearing the same colour as the bridesmaids).
With that in mind, let’s get into it!
1. Gemma Corset Dress by Lizzie Studio
The Gemma Corset Dress by Lizzie Studio is the perfect dropped waist style that we’re seeing everywhere this year. The corset style bodice keeps everything fitted at the top (with a shirred back for maximum comfort), which flares out to a full skirt. The pattern is also adjustable to be shorter or to be made as the corset top only, straps or strapless.
There are 11 sizes available, with a follow-along YouTube video if that’s your thing. It’s so beautiful, perfectly elegant and breezy enough for a hot summer wedding. Love, love, love!!
2. Iris Dress by Viki Sews
The Iris Dress by Viki Sews is the perfect combination of classy and comfortable. The bodice is fitted across the bust and quickly flares out to a full skirt.
The pattern is SO reasonably priced and is mostly a very simple construction. Based on their estimations, it can be whipped up in a day for an intermediate sewist. This in a romantic floral pattern for a garden party style wedding would be *chefs kiss*.
3. Layla Scarf Dress by Lizzie Studio
Ok, another by Lizzie Studios but how could I resist? The Layla Scarf Dress is a bias cut, midi-length style that needs to be seen at the next summer wedding. The addition of the scarf if another style we’re seeing everywhere this year and I love it – even after one too many champagnes you’ll still look effortlessly classy. Cutting the fabric on the bias (at 90 degrees) makes sure the dress drapes beautifully, it’s definitely worth doing as I always notice a difference.
The pattern is pitched at confident beginners, so would highly recommend giving this one a go first if you’re new to bigger projects. You’ll need a lightweight fabric for the dress and scarf to sit and move just right. I’m dying to see this in an emerald green or fuschia pink – any takers??
4. Lily Dress by Annie’s Sewing Studio
Annie’s Sewing Studio make the most beautiful dress patterns, and so the real challenge here was picking just one for the feature, but I managed to settle on the Lily Dress, a one-shoulder, super voluminous maxi style. It oozes elegance whilst being the most breezy, comfortable style of the bunch, perfect for a hot destination wedding.
This would be gorgeous in a light to mid-weight fabric for some lovely movement, and as you may be able to tell, I’m very partial to a patterned fabric for an occasion dress. The pattern itself is so reasonably priced, and if you buy 2 or more you get 25% off so good luck trying to be restrained if you’re planning to just buy the one pattern x
5. Laura Bias Cut Dress by Genow Patterns
The classic slip dress style was recently described by Vogue as the “passport to wedding guest success”, and I think the Laura Bias Cut Dress by Genow Patterns is the First-Class ticket. The dress has a V-neck front, slightly gathered cups and small tie back to add some shape around the waist – the epitome of sophisticated simplicity. It can be made in mini or midi length and it has instructions to line the bust if needed. Again, cutting the fabric on the bias (90 degrees) means you’ll get the beautiful drape and movement that makes the slip dress so special.
All Genow Patterns come highly reviewed and with video tutorials on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok for the visual learners amongst us. The pattern comes as a pdf and is aimed at an advanced beginner. If you’re working with satins or silks (highly recommended for a slip dress!), take your time and pin or clip more than you may think so the layers don’t slip around when under the machine.
Having now hit the age where all my friends are getting engaged and married, I’m off to make a start on wedding guest dresses of my own. Can’t wait to see what you make, see you soon! X
