For the past week I have had the privilege of teaching two tailors in Rwanda. Both Anne Marie and Comanda work at our Hope Vocational Training Center with ERM Rwanda (www.ermrwanda.org). I have know for many months that I was coming and asked what they would like to learn. I was told "how to make a wedding dress". Great! I can do that!
I purchased the fabric with Anne Marie when I got here - wanting her to be involved in the process. So many of the things we have readily available they cannot get here so best to buy what they can get again if they need it. So following is some photos of the process and the final product. What a priviledge to serve my Saviour by buildiing into these two lives!
CUTTTING THE PATTERN. They don't typically use patterns here so this was new for them.
Sewing boning. This is one item that I brought. It is hard to find here, but available.
Anne Marie working on pleatiing for the bodice of the dress.
So proud of the work they have done.
The finished product. Pleated satin skirt, sweetheart neckline with pleated organza bodice, and I taught them how to make fabric flowers and we added that to the waist with a sash and lace. Altogether a very nice product for the first try.
They are hoping to make more after I leave - so hopefully I will have the chance to see more products from these two special people!
This is a 1929 Mcalls pattern. I fell in love with the black dress so I decided to duplicate it - with some updates. 
This is my version. Made with ivory Charmuese, a short train and added rhinestones for some pizzaz. 
The back. 
A nice silhouette. 
I had a little trouble with the zipper. It is an invisible zipper sew on the bias (read stretchy). 
Not good.....
I had to re-do it, carefully pulling it up so that it didn't stretch. Much better. 
