Cheap dresses: Have you considered Indian fabric shops?

ikkleosu

I am doing my wedding on a mega budget (Around £3000 for a wedding with 100 people!) so did not want to spend a lot of money on my wedding dress.

Thankfully my Mum is handy with the sewing machine and offered to make one. However I was worried that the dress would look plain, after seeing gorgeous beaded/sequined ones in shops - but £100 was not something I could afford.

We looked in "normal" fabric shops and all the material was very plain and boring. Then we had an idea to look in in Indian/sari fabric shop. AND OMG the joy!

I ended up getting a unstitched Indian sari suit which contains a gorgeous draping cream viscose COVERED in the most intricate beading which is 5 metres long. Along with a chiffon/georgette type 2 metre scarf thing also all beaded. It weighs lots and is STUNNING to look at, and is PLENTY of material to make a dress from. And the cost? £73!

To get a dress with that much beading would likely cost thousands.

They also have lots of other material for bridesmaids/flowergirl dresses.

I know most people buy the dress ready made but thought it would be nice just to suggest it, in case anyone was having a dress made - or even wanted to spiff up a prebought dress.

ALSO another tip: If you are looking fro a cheap dress, try your local Dry Cleaners. My Aunt manages a dry cleaners and they currently have 4 wedding dresses which have not been picked up and have been there for 18 months - 2 years. They are just given to charity shops in the end. So if you wanted one, go in and ask if they have any wedding dresses left over that they will be getting rid of and you might get one cheap. (I would have got one free, but sadly none fitted me!)

Dusty_Moth

My mum is a wardrobe mistress and she often gets fabrics in an indian fabric shop near to her for special things - the fabrics in there are so, so, SO beautiful. Sometimes we go in just to have a bit of a drool over them You are right though - the fabrics are often much cheaper than anything swish and incredibly detailed. The colours are gorgeous too!

Sallys_Savings

I have bought fabric from indian shops before, and have been so pleased with it too

My daughter had her prom last year and I headed straight there and brought a beautiful purple (cadbuy quality street brazil nut purple ) and my other daughters prom is this year and will definitely be making a journey back.

bank_of_slate

My bridesmaid's dresses were made with material bought from an indian fabric shop, the fabric was excellent quality and the dresses looked amazing!
...Linda xx

dianadors

Bombay Stores in Bradford is great for fabrics

winkie_2

Where did you find this fabric?

rosie-lee

Anyone know of a store in Lancashire please?

Neeny82

I know there are some in Preston. Not in the City Centre but definately in the outskirts. I'll ask around and see if I can find out for you.

rosie-lee

Neeny82 wrote: »

I know there are some in Preston. Not in the City Centre but definately in the outskirts. I'll ask around and see if I can find out for you.

Would be really grateful for that please Neeny, thanks

bank_of_slate

It was Bombay Stores where I got mine from!
...Linda xx

Neeny82

Hi there,

I found some - here goes:

http://www.localfabrics.co.uk/fabrics/results.asp?st=Lancashire

Hope you manage to find some - There are ones in both Lancashire & Manchester!