“It wasn’t easy, and I was tired the whole time since I was also working my day job,” she said, “but sitting at my sewing machine is how I unwind.”
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Suzy Sankey, a 2024 semi-finalist on The Great British Sewing Bee, made sure her wedding dress was truly one-of-a-kind.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan UK, Suzy revealed that from the moment she and her partner Christian began planning their wedding, she was certain she wanted to create her own dress to reflect her personality.
I had originally planned on wearing fuchsia pink as a plain white dress didn’t feel very me, but I ended up finding my wedding dress fabric in a charity shop,
she told the outlet, mentioning that she bought the fabric for just £13.50 ($18)
She later shared on Instagram that the fabric turned out to be the perfect choice, as it included everything she loved—her “favorite color, polka dots” and even her “favorite print.”
Anyone who knows me will agree it is 1000000% the perfect fabric and NOTHING else could possibly ever have been right,
she wrote alongside a video showcasing the dress
After finding the ideal fabric, Suzy began working on the construction of the dress. She finished it in eight weeks, though the process wasn’t without its difficulties.
Sankey shared that she experimented with “tons of different bodice designs” to achieve the right shape for the “drop waist and strapless boned corset” she envisioned for her dress. To help draft “a corset pattern,” she turned to Ralph Pink Patterns for guidance.
Next, she moved on to the skirt. While she initially believed it would turn out “fine,” it ended up being “horrific.” She explained that she created “a new pattern, re-fitting the existing pieces together like a jigsaw,” but made a major error in the process.
I ended up cutting out two left sides rather than a right and left side – the exact same mistake I made on The Great British Sewing Bee, That was the only time I broke down and cried during the stressful eight-week sewing process.
she told Cosmopolitan UK
Read More: Sewing Bee’s Esme Young Thinks the New Series Is a “Rollercoaster”
Fortunately, she shared that she was able to “fix it” just in time for the big day. On Instagram, she proudly showed off her dress and its details, which included the structured bodice and a tulle skirt that stopped just above her ankles. She completed her bridal look with second-hand Stella McCartney Elyse platform shoes and a vintage Jimmy Choo bag.
I felt the most beautiful I’ve ever felt in my life on my wedding day. I think I’d have felt amazing no matter how it came out, knowing how much effort I put into it, I was so proud of myself, and I felt super high fashion, which is what I wanted.
she said
But that wasn’t her only achievement. She also sewed her own veil and garter, and even “made a second evening dress for myself along with 97 napkins.” In addition, she created a colorful bird-print dress for her mom, “eight bridesmaids’ dresses” and two flower girl outfits — all featuring a polka-dot design.
Believe it or not, I enjoyed every second of sewing, It was not easy and I was tired throughout as I was working [my day job] too, but going home in the evening and sitting at my sewing machine is my way of relaxing.
Sankey said
She also offered advice for other brides considering making their own gowns:
My advice for brides wanting to make their own dress or have a custom wedding dress would be to think about how you want to feel wearing your dress… Your wedding dress doesn’t have to be completely different or unique from anything you’ve ever worn, just because it’s your wedding dress.
Source: People