Dressmaking project: the evening reception glam LBD

I was trying to decide on the material to use for my evening reception dress, I came across the silver and gold lace fabric with the black undertones. I was swithering between them only because I’m partial to silver, but eventually a work friend of mine convinced me to go with the gold and I couldn’t agree more. The next issue I had though was deciding what coloured fabric to use underneath.

The type of lace I bought for the evening reception dress is technically same as what I used for the Chinese and white wedding dresses. The only difference between them is they’re in different colours which give the dresses a completely different look and feel when complemented with the different designs. That, my friends, is the versatility and beauty of dressmaking and designing your own garments!

My white wedding dress

Close up of the lace used for my Chinese wedding dress

With the gold lace, there’s a slight black undertone underneath the gold colour accents on the main pattern. I wasn’t sure what the best colour to use underneath. I tried looking for dresses which used the same lace and managed to find a couple, but both used black fabric. I wasn’t sure if black would be too somber a colour for a wedding, but I also wasn’t sure how a nude/peach coloured fabric would look with the black gold lace.

It also gives it quite an elegant look too. After looking at various evening and wedding dresses, I decided I liked the subtle contrast of the black background. It looks very elegant, with the matte black fabric complimenting the bright beauty of the metallic gold shimmer. It seems that other designers have the right idea too, just looking for ‘black gold lace dresses’ came up with some pretty beautiful black dresses with gold lace.

I’ll be going fabric shopping (again) soon for some black lining and backing fabric now that I’ve decided what colour to use underneath! I’ve already decided that for the evening, I need a dress that I can move and dance in without the restriction of a pencil skirt or a dress I would need to wear heels with. Armed with my Vogue V8667 pattern, I intend to make the sleeveless version of the dress.

The funnel neckline means that I can wear a shorter necklace if I wanted to, but if not the lace neckline will also mean that I don’t necessarily need to wear one. We have hired a ceilidh band for the evening, so I will need to make sure I get plenty of air and without sleeves, it’ll certainly help keep my body temperature down! The A-line skirt will allow for movement and will also look quite nice with flats too. The gold of the lace will also go nicely with the gold jewellery I’ve bought to go with my Chinese wedding dress.

I’m still working on the bridesmaid dresses at the moment, but hope to have an update with photos for you soon!

What do you think of the gold lace and how this will work out for the evening reception dress?