Wedding Dress Quilt

My wedding dress sat in my wardrobe for 25 years. And then I cut it up!

The good news is that it wasn't some statement over the state of my marriage :) I had instead decided to turn it into a wedding dress quilt.

My Mam had originally made both my bridesmaid's dresses, and my wedding dress. My dress was very understated in a cream raw silk - and my bridesmaids dresses were a soft lilac colour. Here is a photo of the dresses being made as you can see the colours nicely in it. Please excuse my Mams room! She had just moved and they were redecorating. And that is my sister by way!

The wedding day went smoothly! Here is my favourite photo :)

25 years languishing in the wardrobe seemed a little sad for my dress though. It's not like I could wear it again, and my daughter was not interested (not her style). Yet it held an important memory.

Making a Wedding Dress Quilt

I really wanted to turn it into something beautiful that I could use and enjoy. So I began looking for a quilt pattern.

I had a tiny piece of the bridesmaids fabric leftover that I wanted to incorporate it into the quilt, so it needed an accent colour in the quilt - but only a little. I finally found this quilt pattern on Etsy that I knew would be perfect.

Next was the harrowing task of cutting up the dress and making the blocks. I framed the top of the dress in a box frame and cut the skirt into 7.5 inch squares. I decided to include part of the back of the dress (with buttons) - and one whole square of the lilac silk.

I wanted my Mam to be a part of the process as she had made the original dress. She was a bit horrified if I am honest! But it was too late - the dress was 'butchered' and the blocks made :)

The new wedding dress quilt is all quilted and finished. I was really grateful for my Mam's help as the silk was really difficult to work with. I am absolutely thrilled with how it is looks and I feel like I have a treasured heirloom I can keep.

I feel like I have honored our wedding day and the wedding dress by turning it into something beautiful AND practical. I am enjoying having the finished quilt on display - and look forward to many more years of enjoying the beautiful fabric and the memories they share.

Now it is the turn of my sister's wedding dress! I will report back :)