Thanks everyone, I don't think I dare show this to Ashley, she's going to get a big head! Cathy, don't worry about it. I know that everyone has their own way of doing things and I know you aren't malicious at all. At least I don't have to deal with a florist, a caterer, flights, accomodations or foreign languages! Ashley did hire a photographer, but that's her problem. Social event? ROFL. We don't have "social events" here, and I've never heard anyone refer to any local wedding as a social event. It will be a heck of a good party, though, so if you want to come to Michigan, come on up, I'll have a cranberry juice and limoncello ready for you. You'll be safe, every cop and fire fighter in the county will be here! Annie

I made my daughter's wedding dress in 1992. I used a small book I found that helped a lot with the little details you don't think of at first(such as the suggestion of the bed sheet above). I also wrapped a sheet around the part of the dress I was not working on so it wouldn't get dirty as I moved around the sewing maching. We went to a bridal salon and she tried on several dresses. We then went to the car and I quickly sketched the things she especially liked(neckline; sleeves). I ended getting two patterns - one for the sleeves(as she wanted set in lace in the sleeves) and one for the rest of the dress. I then had her come over and made the bodice of muslin, so I could be sure it fit well, then used that for the pattern to cut out the satin. My main worry was not to get a run or catch in the satin - I told her at one point that if I did that we'd have to applique something all over the skirt. Luckly, that didn't happen. The only real problem (which I still see in the pictures) is a slight puckering of the seams. Guess I needed longer stitches there. We got some very expensive lace and I had to hand sew and piece it to the bodice which came to a point in front and back. Considering I hadn't done much sewing since she had been in the eighth grade, I was happy with the job I did. But, it was all worth it to see how pleased she was with it. And, of course, as with all brides, she was beautiful in the dress. I may still have that book. If so, I'll let you know and maybe I can mail it to you, or tell you the title to see if it is still around to buy. Oh, one last thing, start as early as you can - you'll need every minute. Good Luck Sally

So good of you to visit your MIL. Funny story how you ended up with a different dog than you had in mind. Goldens are known for their gentle nature & Shepards are very intelligent, so I'd say you got a great mix : ) Today, I tried making tailor tacks as they're called in one of my books (with red thread). I took pictures of part of the pattern (the back) so you can see all the dart lines. They are curved in some parts and I don't know how to transfer the lines for sewing. The front pattern piece looks similar. On the front fabric piece, I have already cut (slashed) along the solid line to the square. Step 2 says staystitch front edges 1/8" from solid lines, ending opposite squares. I'm skipping that part for this practice dress. Next, it says to fold front right sides together, matching circles, then Stitch. I'm going to hand baste this dress first..to see how it fits. If you look carefully, you can see where the dart starts out wide (1-1/4") near the armhole narrows to 5/8" fairly quickly, then widens near the waist to 3/4", then narrows all the way to the point. I'm thinking of basting this dart as best I can without lines drawn on the fabric to guide me. When I get to the waist, I will not increase the width, just keep with 5/8" or a little less. What do you think? I have not done anything more on the skirt, yet. I'll keep you posted this weekend. My absolute favorite tv show is on tonight at 9 in our area, Channel 10. It's a British sitcom with Judi Dench called As Time Goes By..either of you watch this? If not, give it a look. Size 18 Vogue Dress You can see the white paper where I raised the neckline

You take a chance when you order from China without being able to see the dress or try it on. If she isn't happy with the workmanship or it doesn't fit, your daughter may not be able to return it. She should be aware that wedding dresses are sized differently than regular dresses, so she needs to be certain she orders for her largest mearsurement (waist, hips, etc.). The dress can be taken in where it is too large. Has your daughter checked with local bridal shops and tried on gowns there? Some shops have sales racks where she may be able to find a reasonably priced gown without the worry of ordering from an overseas vendor.