Making a gown from a wedding dress

I decided to use my sister's donated wedding dress to make a gown for TOL.  It turned out to be such a beautiful gown.  I first washed the pieces I was going to use.  I cut out the lace using TOL pattern and cut out lining pieces.

I laid the lace on top of the lining and machine basted the pieces together.

I finished the sleeve edge with a little lace and zigzaged over the the ribbon forming a casing for ribbon tie.  Another idea would be to sew a casing by stitching two rows and threading ribbon through, between the lace and lining.

I then sewed the sleeves to front and back of gown. Pattern calls for a narrow seam.

After sleeves, then sew side seams, and hem back.  No need to hem gown with this beautiful scallop on the lace, forming the bottom of the gown.

Last step is to gather neck and put on neck binding.  Then thread ribbon through binding.  And it is done!  Not any more difficult than our usual gowns but what a beauty for a little precious one.

Last picture is of my granddaughter, a seamstress (I am teaching her), a fashionista, and future Threads of Love member.