Just go for it?

HaileyDancingbear

Basically, I've been sewing clothing for about 10 years.  I've always toyed with the idea of making my own gown, should I just go for it?  

I feel confident in my ability to make one- I made my first gown when I was 15 for my friend's quinceanera, (And obviously it wasn't perfect, but it was definitely wearable, it looked fine, and got tons of compliments.  I actually think she still has it.) After that I made both my prom gowns in high school, both of them including sewn-in cups, boning, fully lined, etc.  Since then I haven't had a reason, or the extra cash, to sew another gown, but I have drafted a few more patterns, and lately I've been working on sewing lingerie, because regardless of wether or not I make my wedding dress, I do plan on making the bra and corset I want to wear under the gown.  I'm a weird bra size so it's just easier to make one than to find my size in a good bra, and it will also be super convenient to be able to design the undergarments around what the gown looks like.

I'm hoping to have a wedding date in the fall of 2015, so I have a while before I need to even start setting any plans in stone.  I'm wondering if I should just use that extra time to work on a gown.  I have expensive tastes, and so far the only gowns I've seen that I can see myself wearing are Lazaros- and I really doubt I'd be able to afford that, or even want to drop that much on a gown, although style #3059 makes me drool.  If I could afford that I'd probably get it.

I'm wondering if that's something I'll later regret, so I have a few questions for you knotties:

Dress shopping experience- is that something I'll miss if I don't do it?  Should I try on a few gowns in a salon before I decide between purchasing and making a gown (I feel like it'd help me decide but I'm worried it would be rude and waste the consultant's time?)

Stress- Would I just be biting off more than I can chew?  Is it a bad idea to consider throwing making my own gown on top of wedding planning?

Timing- Is it too early to start designing the dress?  I figure I'd have to start designing it now, and buy materials in about 6 months, because if I do make it, I want to give myself as much time as possible to work on it.  

Critique- If I do decide to design and make it, would it be ok to post some pics of my sketches and my rough draft (I'd make it out of muslin, which is a super cheap fabric, before I made it in the actual material so that I could see the design in 3-D and make any adjustments) for critique, or would that be annoying?  

General idea- Am I being ridiculous for considering it?  

HisGirlFriday13

I can't answer most of those for you, other than it wouldn't annoy me to see sketches/mock-ups of your dress.

I am probably the wrong person to ask right now, because I am knee-deep in this &@$#$*% € baby blanket and I am wondering WHYYY did I decide to do this and what in the HELL possessed me and WHAT was I thinking?

(The answer is that usually I like to knit/crochet but this pattern us driving me batty).

I will say that in general I like DIY projects, and I loved personalising our wedding with little touches of me and DH.

If you think you can do this without biting off too much or getting in over your head or run the risk of not having it done in time, then go for it!

afox007

If you think you can make something you'd be proud to wear go for it. I've toyed with the idea as well, but I have a feeling that how I picture the dreSs is not how it will turn out. I wouldn't find it annoying seeing the mock up and helping critique it. In fact it may help me make my decision!

HaileyDancingbear

For reference, here's some pictures of the two prom gowns I made.  I was really into the whole high-low skirt thing back then, not so much anymore (At least not on formal dresses.) Also ignore the high school awkwardness and inability to stand up straight for a picture.  First one was senior year, second one was junior year.

KytchynWitche

If you're confident that you won't get overwhelmed, and that you'll be able to get the project done on time and not end up having to wear a navy blue sundress and turquoise fascinator headband to your wedding at the last minute, then go for it!

I LOVE the idea of having something uniquely you.

Blergbot

I would have a back up dress (such as a100-200 dollar off the rack dress that looks nice enough on you) as a back-up, just in case it's looking a little too DIY. But I think you should go for it!

NavyBlue143

Go for it! The so called experience of dress shopping is overrated, IMO. It did nothing for me. It was hot, awkward, and useless to me because I already knew which one I wanted going in and was only trying them on to appease my mother. I think it would make your dress even more special if it were handmade. And that way you can have exactly what you want.

pumpkinsandturkeys

I say do it if, as HisGirl said, you can do it without being overwhelmed.

However, I will say that I was convinced that I only liked a certain style (and particular designers) prior to dress shopping. When I actually went, none of those dresses did anything for me. They were stunning gowns and they looked amazing on me -- there were even a few that I couldn't find one single fault with -- but they didn't do anything for me emotionally once they were actually ON my body.

What I ended up choosing was everything I thought I never wanted, and I'm head-over-heels for it.

I would recommend trying on a few Lazaro dresses and whatever else you think you like (especially since you have so much time before the date) to make sure that that style is what makes you feel best. I know that if I had had someone make a custom gown for me (which I did consider), I would have run the risk of ending up with something I didn't love, simply because I would have opted for the style I thought I wanted.

abbyj700

Totally agree with pumpkinsandturkeys - ya never know what you're going to end up liking on. I've gone shopping once with my bridesmaids and we were all surprised the direction I ended up leaning and what I'm interested in finding now - not at all what I thought I had wanted. Find a style you like by trying on - and then make one that fits everything you end up liking! I think the sentiment of having a bridal goal you MADE is awesome.