The customizable patterns #MaRobeAtelierCharlotteAuzou are perfect for getting started in sewing your wedding dress. Accompanied by the ebook " My wedding dress: tips and techniques for sewing your exceptional dress ", you have all the tools to make this magnificent sewing project a success and a pleasure to make.

Many have already embarked on the adventure. I asked a few of them to testify and share their experience. I hope it will inspire you to embark on this project. Enjoy discovering!

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♡ IRIS ♡

@little_miss_iris_

“We decided to get married very quickly. A month and a half passed between the decision and the big day. We wanted something simple and authentic, a very small wedding surrounded by just our close family. Like our story.

For the dress, I didn't see myself with a traditional wedding dress, too impersonal, too far from what we wanted for this day. So I made the crazy bet (for a beginner like me) to sew this dress myself. I liked being able to try several styles of sleeves with the top and bottom that I had chosen. Sometimes we have an idea of ​​what we would like but it doesn't always work with the whole and the choice of fabric. I had done several sewing projects but never of this magnitude and moreover without having the right to make a mistake given the time I had! A real challenge but what a joy to be accompanied by your "baby" for this beautiful day...

I think it is important to take the time to think carefully about your project and especially not to hesitate to do tests. For my part, despite the little time I had, I made the dress in another fabric that was close to it in terms of drape but much less expensive. That's when I realized, for example, that the type of sleeves selected did not really suit my body shape or the style I wanted to give to my dress.

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♡ SOPHIE ♡

@wanasty

" A very good friend asked me to sew belts, bow ties and hair bows for the children in the procession. We both met at the Marché Saint Pierre to buy the fabric and she told me that she still hadn't found her dress for the civil wedding. I didn't dare offer to sew it for her and she didn't dare ask me... finally we looked at each other and it was obvious.

I loved first of all searching for the perfect pattern for this project and the customizable Atelier Charlotte Auzou patterns were perfect because the bride wanted a backless and a skater skirt. Then, I enjoyed creating the toile and doing the fittings and above all there were no adjustments to make for the final version. I simply enlarged the pattern a little thanks to Charlotte's advice so that it corresponded to the bride's measurements.

Creating a toile and choosing the materials are two very important things for me when starting to sew a wedding dress. It was a great experience that I would happily try again.

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♡ SYLVIE ♡

@luniverscouturedesylvie

" I decided to make my daughter's wedding dress because I had already made her sister's. What I liked about this project was that we were able to choose to personalize the dress by finding the different parts, bodice, sleeves and skirts in downloadable patterns on the internet and that the explanations for the different patterns were clear.

So my daughter chose the V-neck and back bustier, the 3/4 sleeves that we decided to shorten a little and the long skirt with pleats at the waist. The dress is unique! And above all, my daughter trusted me.

The advice I can give to those who want to get started is first to find a good pattern with good explanations and above all to trust yourself. I am not a professional seamstress, I have been sewing for 3 or 4 years but I have never been afraid to make this dress. Of course it is not perfect but everyone who has seen it has found it very beautiful.

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♡ STEPHANIE ♡

@stal.tanie

" If someone had told me a few months ago "Hey Hi Steph, can you do this for me?" with the accompanying photo, I wouldn't have believed it! I'm starting to defend myself in sewing, but to trust myself for this very special day, what an honor!

When I saw my friend's suggestions, I immediately knew which patterns to go for. I had already made a jumpsuit for myself but the challenge was to make one for someone else, a body I don't know with different measurements. We started the adventure of creation in June 2020 for a wedding on December 31st. Thanks to the toile (and even if the fabric was of lower quality), we were able to see the modifications to be made. We decided to remove the pockets so that it wouldn't be seen through transparency, because even if the final fabric was thick and good quality, it wouldn't have been very pretty.

I loved everything about this project, the search for the ideal pattern to meet my friend's expectations, our discussions, the search for fabrics and the fact that I managed to surpass myself to complete this project. I equipped myself with several books like "My wardrobe to sew for the whole year" and the ebook "My wedding dress" which are a mine of advice, essential if you want to make your own wedding outfit. I even have ideas for patterns but it is NOT AT ALL my area of ​​expertise so a word to the wise!

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♡ ANDREA ♡

@jemedesfils

" I wanted to sew my wedding dress so that it would be unique, so that I would be unique, and to surprise people too (the famous "did you make it? Wow" that makes you very proud). So that it would also be an adventure, to write a deeper story around this dress that you only wear once (apparently). To learn new techniques and work with new materials.

This is an exceptional dress. You need to allow time to complete this project. There is the time for inspiration, the development of the toile (for my part, I sewed a real dress for the spring season), the ordering of materials, the organization of the cutting, the assembly, the finishing touches, the improvements and the alterations. I dreamed at night of the order of the seams to be respected, the stressful steps like the installation of invisible zipper or the sewing of lace.

I already knew that I wanted to use the customizable Charlotte Auzou patterns. So I looked for compatible models that I could adapt, from several designers. For the fabrics, I let myself be guided by the ebook "My wedding dress". I ordered lace samples before deciding. Then I chose an ivory satin crepe and an Art Deco Calais lace from Stragier as well as the lichette, the invisible zipper, the organza bias and the covered buttons. I made the lining in white viscose.

There are still a few small failures in this project. I wanted to add a layer of muslin on the skirt for more lightness. But I completely messed up the cutting, so I couldn't use what had been cut... Another mini disappointment, I should have doubled the back lace with transparent tulle to prevent it from falling. I assure you, this didn't bother anyone except me. All the other small mistakes that I don't talk about here remain in my secret garden and make my dress a unique dress, which delights me. I especially advise trying, making mistakes and above all adapting. I am now imagining how to transform it to be able to wear it differently and more often: a top and a skirt for example.

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♡ NATHALIE ♡

@take_away_couture

“ In 2019, for our 20th anniversary, my husband announced that we were getting married in Mauritius, where he had proposed to me a year earlier. He wanted to organize the ceremony from A to Z. All I had to do was find my outfit. For me, who is self-taught in sewing, it immediately represented a huge challenge to sew My Own Wedding Dress. I told myself that I could take up the challenge!

I really liked all the possibilities that the wedding dress could offer in terms of shape, model or fabrics. This embarrassment of choice gives free rein to our creativity. But before I start sewing, the project comes to life little by little in my mind. I realize it and think about all the difficulties that I could encounter during its development. As a result, I can anticipate mistakes. I particularly like this phase because it allows me to appreciate my project even more once it is completed. It is always nice to be able to say to yourself once the work is finished: "It is exactly as I had imagined it".

In my opinion, it is important to know the shape of your body well in order to find the model that flatters your figure the most. Then, choose your fabric according to the result you want. A floaty dress, a nice drape with hold…. You should also keep in mind that there will probably be several toiles to sew before achieving the perfect drape. Being patient can help! Finally, it will be one of the most beautiful days of our lives so don't forget to enjoy this sewing!

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♡ MARIE ♡

@meouiboo

" I wanted to sew my wedding dress because I wanted to take on this challenge that you only get the opportunity to do once in your life. This project was both an opportunity to make a dress that really suits me without having the constraints of ready-to-wear where there are always elements to be reworked. It goes without saying that it was also a way to save a few hundred or even thousands of euros on a dress that I would only wear once in my life.

What I liked was that I managed to create "sailor" lace effect sleeves by making them myself since I couldn't find what I wanted in stores, especially in the middle of a health crisis where stores had very little stock. I was inspired by the idea that Charlotte suggests in her e-book to create your own lace, with the difference that I sandwiched my satin ribbons between two layers of organza. But beyond this detail, I am especially happy to have completed this project when few people close to me thought I was capable of it. Challenge accepted!

Whether you do fittings or not, I recommend that you make several toiles. I made 3 in total (including a dress that I shortened so that I could wear it later): this allowed me to mature my project and gain confidence when cutting out my beautiful fabric. For sewing the final dress, I advise you to spread a large clean sheet on your cutting area / on the table of your sewing machine and above all to wash your hands regularly to be sure not to dirty your beautiful fabric. I also really advise you to sew a lining so that your seam allowances are not visible through transparency, this is what will make your dress really qualitative. And above all: do it in advance to avoid additional stress!

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♡ MARINE ♡

@ancre_marine_couture

" I wanted to sew my wedding dress to challenge myself: to sew beautiful materials, different from "everyday" sewing. But also to have a unique model and have the pleasure of saying "I made it", it's always a source of pride. And what a joy to see your lover's eyes when he sees you arrive with your dress!

What I really liked about this project was the fact that I was working with materials that I'm not necessarily used to sewing and that I was working on a more "thoughtful" project, in the sense that it wasn't something you sew in one afternoon!

I think the best advice for getting started on this project is: TAKE YOUR TIME.
Take the time to choose the pattern, for my part I absolutely wanted a pretty back, it's done with the diamond back.
Take the time to choose the fabrics and don't hesitate to do tests on small pieces to see how the fabric "behaves".
Take the time to make a canvas to adjust as best as possible. Even if it takes time, it's for a top result!
Take the time to do the finishing touches, really… it’s even prettier when it’s as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. Even if there are flaws, you have to be proud of them, do your best, even when you’re struggling with a seam or something else, don’t give up and leave it aside to come back to later if necessary. Last thing, it’s a pleasure to sew this project and it has to remain a pleasure. Don’t start this project at the last minute.”

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♡ CHRISTIE ♡

@crikkkkk

FR27 Photography

“I had never really considered sewing such an important dress in life. It’s a bit like imagining climbing Mont Blanc without having ever climbed before. However, I decided to sew my wedding dress because the timing accelerated during the summer of 2019. With my darling, we had discussed the subject of marriage several times but without getting things started. We wanted something that reflected us and wasn’t too conventional. I bought some beige crepe in May, in case we decided to take the plunge that summer. And I did well! In August, we decided to celebrate our love in September. So we organized our wedding in 5 weeks.

Luckily, I had a pretty clear idea of ​​what I wanted. I ordered embroidered tulle online, hoping that the colours would match. Luckily, they did. I had obviously made a toile before cutting my pretty fabrics. I always have sizing problems in the back and chest. I tried size 38 with a C/D cup, "small" stature. The size corresponded to my idea, a dress in which I could eat, move, laugh. And above all without adjustments! It was a real relief because I only had a month to make it (not counting the change of mind about the skirt 3 days before the wedding... to finally come back to the initial idea and thus add spice to all this wedding preparation!)

What I liked about this sewing project is of course the challenge it represents both in terms of materials and sewing techniques. I had never sewn a buttonhole or used a hemmer foot. I was almost in a meditative state as I was so absorbed in my work and the care I took with it. I put all my love into it and that is what makes it beautiful. What joy when everything is exactly as we had in mind and the dress looks like us. What pride when we see our loved ones amazed by our work. And sometimes incredulous.

It seems easy to say in hindsight... but the only advice that seems really important to me is to dare to dream and to get started. There is a quote from Novalis that symbolizes, for me, the sewing of her wedding dress: "If you see a giant, first look at the position of the sun, and see if the giant is not the shadow of a pygmy." Like any ambitious project, it can seem insurmountable but by doing things step by step, we get there. Little by little, we manage to chip away at the mountain that we made of the project. We must also remain tolerant of our achievements. We are often the most critical judge of ourselves. Let's keep in mind that the most beautiful result is not necessarily synonymous with perfection.