It might have been a couple of years now when I first stumbled upon this photograph of a gorgeous embroidered dress and I remember saying that if I am ever gonna get married it will only be in this dress. I did realize fairly soon it is a Valentino dress and therefore I am either never gonna get married or I will have to give up on it.
But giving up does not go well with my stubborn self so I decided to set on a battle -
What do you do, when you can't afford to buy an haute cotoure embroidery? You learn it!
After all having the possibility to decide on a personal motif is always appealing and a bunch of roses was not of any major importance to me... Instead I wanted a hunting scene that would feature my beloved deerhound bring down a deer.
I knew I wanted to incorporate some applique and beeds in the embroidery but finding the right materials was a nightmare. I have got this vest that I bought couple years back at the Angel's flea market and I treasure it as a museum piece as it's got the most lovely velvety applique that's impossible to find nowadays. I have carried it to every single haberdashery in Brno, Prague AND London but was always told that that kind of fabric is no longer made. However after hours and hours browsing google back and forth I finally found an American supplier who still sells this vintage 'gold in fabric' and once I gathered all I needed I booked myself in an embroidery workshop.
photo: Couple of Prague
Eva from Love Revamp (http://loverevamp.com/) organises these workshops on a regular basis and she taught me everything I needed to know in only two days! She goes through the basics but also gives individual advice if one has a more specific project which embroidering tulle definitely was!
Throughout the process I realized tulle isn't really a fabric - it's rather just a lot of holes and the holes don't really keep the threads in place as I would have wished. And I did try the dress on a million times (literally after every single flower petal was added) just to be sure the composition is right.
photo: Couple of Prague
photo: Couple of Prague
photo: Couple of Prague
photo: Couple of Prague
photo: Couple of Prague
However, thanks to Eva, I did fight through the frustration and completely fell for embroidery. In the end I managed to not only complete the dress but also about 70 rice sockets that served as our wedding invitations and a handfasting ribbon.
photo: Couple of Prague
photo: Couple of Prague
So if you are up to something similar, do not hesitate and get yourself in one of those workshops!
And if you are a bit lazy and would prefer someone else do it for you, do get in touch! I am happy to help!
And one last shot with my source of inspiration <3
photo: Couple of Prague
