Two more wedding related posts and I’m done! I promise!

Today’s is all about the first of the bridesmaids outfits. My sister basically gave us free rein to do whatever we wanted and for some reason I wanted to make some green linen dresses. Who knows what the thought process behind this was. I sure don’t remember!

I gave my little sister the option of making her own dress (she’s a dressmaker herself) but with a one year old at home, she unsurprisingly turned me down.

I probably spent far more time deliberating on the bridesmaids outfits compared to the main wedding dress! Was that because I was wearing them? Maybe. Honestly though, I’m sure it was just indecision and a lack of time that really tipped our hand.

After much to-ing and fro-ing, I decided to make the same dress in different coloured fabrics and opted to use the Papercut Patterns Estella dress – partly because I already had it printed out! (As a side note, the lovely Katie behind the Papercut brand is sadly closing up shop whilst pursuing cancer treatment. There’s a 25% off printed pattern sale on at the moment as she’s clearing out stock.)

The Estella is a 3-in-1 pattern where you can make the dress, skirt or blouse versions. The top/ dress has puffed sleeves and a wraparound front which you can finish in a bow or knot. It’s reversible as well so if you wanted, you can wear the wrap at the back. Rather clever!

We made the same dress version omitted the skirt ruffle for both of the two bridesmaids dresses. I chose to alter the finish of the dress in regard to the elasticated waist. I had looked at finished versions of this dress online and felt the elasticated wait was a bit bulky and unflattering so instead I put in a fitted waistband and added a short zip into the side seam of the skirt.

The instructions for the bodice and sleeve are rather clever and leaves you with a lovely clean finish around the neck and shoulder. The skirt instructions got grown out due to the mods I made so that was a bit more challenging to do but we got there! It didn’t help that I added pockets as well to complicate it further. Bridesmaids are meant to be helping the bride so figured it was important to have pockets to hold tissues, lipgloss etc!

I used linen different shades of green for the two Estella dress and made my niece a little romper all from Dalston Mill Fabrics.

The bridesmaids dresses kind of worked. I don’t think it was particularly flattering on me and honestly I don’t think I’ll use that pattern again. I think it looked beautiful on my little sister though! I wore mine with the cross in the front and she wore hers the other way around. It was a nice way to have us wear the same thing without being over matchy!

This was one of the hottest days of the year so we were very grateful for the airy linen fabric choice!

I’m glad I decided to make us separate bridesmaids looks for the reception so I could have a second stab at it!