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PAGE FOUR
BRIDES OF ’85
ost women have a definite idea
of what they want their wedding
gown to look like when they
march down the aisle. However, finding
the exact look, fabric and fit in the price
they can afford may seem an
impossibility.
That's why more and more women (or
their mothers) are making their own
dresses, or using a seamstress to
achieve the custom look and fit they
want.
Making your own wedding dress can
offer substantial savings — an important
consideration with today’s high cost of
planning a wedding. For example, a
dress that would cost well over $1,000
to buy in a retail store can be made at
home using similar fabrics for less than
$300. Even using a dressmaker can
save a considerable sum.
Joan Watkins of Vogue patterns
reports the most popular silhouette has
a defined waist, full, opulent skirt and full
sleeves.
Some of the best fashions are being
offered for spring and summer '85 by the
pattern manufacturers.
Whatever style of dress a bride
chooses, she can create a truly one-of-
a-kind gown by selecting the most
flattering fabrics and trimmings.
Fabric selected depends on the styling
of the gown and the amount the bride
wants to spend, reports Mary Fotherby
of Butterick patterns. ‘‘We recommend
satin, lace and dotted swiss for
contemporary designs, and taffeta or an
elegant organza for more traditional
- gowns. You can also make the same
dresses using a cotton or polyester
blend.
‘To create a luxurious look,’’ she
said, ‘‘add a varety of elegant trimmings
such as lace or embroidered appliques,
pearly flower buds, a silk finger loop to
hold up the train, and even a pale blue
ribbon on the bottom of the petticoat to
give it that traditional American look.’
The Butterick Pattern 3137 (at right) is
a perfect choice with its scoop V-
neckline, off-the-shoulder emphasis and
petticoat ruffle hemline.
For a more elegant look, select Vogue
Pattern 1518 (at left) with its long, lean
skirt in front and full, flowing train behind
combined with cap sleeves and boat
neckline.
Every bridal pattern, Fotherby said,
comes with coordinated patterns for
bridesmaids’ gowns. The same patterns
may be adapted to make prom dresses,
graduation gowns or evening wear.
Maem 3 --
he lovely tradition of a bride
T iors fresh linen to her new
: home carries historical as well as
sentimental roots.
Linen, spun from the fibers of the flax
plant, is the ‘oldest fabric known to man.
It is prized for its strength, absorbency,
soft luster and hygienic smoothness.
To the ancient Egyptians, linen
symbolized purity. It was the only fiber
worn by the Pharaoh’s royal court, and
by priests and worshippers in the
temples.
In ancient Greece, a bride arriving at
her new husband’s home wound flax
around the doorpost. Then, holding her
spindle and distaff to symbolize her
industry and thrift, she was carried over
the threshold by her bridegroom.
During the Middle Ages in France,
brides carried a trousse (small bundle) of
clothing and household linens to their
new homes. Today's bride continues this
practice with her trousseau of beautiful
lingerie and fine household linen.
At the turn of the century, the
collections of matched, hana-
embroidered and lace-trimmed linen
‘sets’’ of pillowcases and sheets,
tablecloths and napkins, tea cozies, hot
roll warmers, guest towels and doilies
that accompanied any self-respecting
bride to her new home was, to put it
simply, staggering.
A girl and her mother labored for years
to provide proof positive of her skills with
a needle.
Today's bride picks and chooses Her
traditions. And what is both useful and
a on A pr Bt BRE tS RS FSO HRA 3 rob i
linen home textiles is how well it can be
adapted to suit modern needs.
For example, the hope chest itself can
do double duty as a coffee table to help
solve the ‘‘first apartment storage
shortage.” Today's hope chest. in fact
may not be a chest at all, but perhaps a
newly-fashionable armoire.
The beautiful linen a bride is
‘‘'showered’’ with before her marriage
can be augmented by purchases she
and her groom make together for their
new home. Those lucky enough to
receive precious heirloom linen can use
it to accent their growing collection.
Although at one time linen home
textiles were ‘‘strictly formal,”’ modern
designers now interpret them in
adventurous styles that range from new
colors in traditional looks to the most
whimsical and avant-garde designs. That
the couple find it appealing is the only
unbreakable rule.
Practical modern couples are
rediscovering why their grandmothers
valued linen home textiles: They are lint-
free, do not “pill,”’ withstand high heat
without scorching, and grow softer and
more lustrous with use.
LUXURIOUS LOOK — Pure linen
and linen blend towels (right) pair
elegant looks with durability and
absorbency. Clockwise, are friction
towels from Ireland, wide-stripped
Italian linen-cotton hand towels, Bel-
gian fingertip towels, huckaback
gracious home
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