This is my first attempt at irish crochet. It’s to be my wedding dress… I hope.

Mar 27, 2011
Have been trying different motifs for a couple of weeks, but only now started trying to arrange them. Will probably redo it several more times before starting to put it all together. The top comes first. The skirt will be floor length, I’m afraid to think how much time it’ll take! But I’m in no hurry.

Apr 6, 2011
I think I found my main motifs, and they’ll differ from my original choice. I almost made enough for the top front, but I’m not going to put the pieces together until I have enough for the back as well. Then I’ll try to assemble the top together, and only after that will start on the skirt.

Looks like a long-term plan to me.

Apr 11, 2011
Made a top pattern from some leftover wallpaper. :-) I never used paper patterns before - I made everything using old t-shirts or dresses to try things against. I wonder how this pattern will work out - I should probably try it on some old sheet.

Started to put together one half of the top back using the pattern and a padded board. I think I underestimated the irregular net. It’s terribly time-consuming and complicated.

Now I know why it’s called Irish LACE!

May 18, 2011
Top almost finished, I’ll make the sleeves later. They’re gonna be short, cap sleeves.

Started on the skirt. That’s going to be long all right. I feel like I’m making baby steps here.

May 27, 2011
Yes, I’m still here and still working on it! I think I’ll be an old gray hag by the time I finish it. :-) Anyway, I’m on the skirt.

September 14, 2011
About the fourth part of the skirt is done. I really must be faster that that if I want to get married at all! I only hope that autumn and winter months will give me more time at home.

Jan 14, 2012
Yep, still plowing on! The skirt is sooo long and wide. But I have the whole design sketched on and a lot of motifs done. Will soon begin to join those into the skirt’s fabric. Right now there’s only about 1/4 of the skirt’s netting is done.

Jan 30, 2012
I think I’m about half done. Still have several months before the event. Don’t think it’s time to start panicking, though perhaps I should spend more time on it.

Mar 11, 2012
I’m starting to stitch the hem motifs to the skirt pattern. It looks like this work might be done in some foreseeable future, yay! A lot of work still, but there’s hope that I’ll be ready with some time to spare (which is really necessary, for there’s an underdress to be sewn, and I can’t sew so I’ll have to find a seamstress for it).

Apr 28, 2012
I finished the netting of the hem. Removed the underlying fabric from everywhere. This is the first time in many months that I saw my dress from the front (RS) side, because the net is always worked on the back of the motifs. And it’s beautiful on the RS! Though of course I can see all the mistakes I’ve made in my design - I still love the result.

It’s not quite finished yet, though - still have the sleeves (short, cap) and some trimming on the hemline to do. But I still have time before the big day, so it’ll be done without the rush, I think.

Anyway. ALMOST THERE.

Jun 15, 2012
Skipped the sleeves - too hot.
Wore it to my wedding!

Have to note one thing. Work went much better when I sketched the whole motifs layout on the pattern. I could see how many pieces were missing at any moment, I could also see how the design is gradually materializing and this motivated me. Also, sketching helped me realize that if I want my gown to look more like vintage Irish crochet, I have to make the layout marginally symmetrical (and so I did). And it was Nora Finnegan’s idea to sketch the layout before going on with the gown (I visited her when on vacation in Ireland), so that’s whom I owe many thanks.

P.S. 2014. The dress is happily doing double duty as an “anniversary dress” for the second year in a row. I do want it to go out, at least until I fit in!