When we hem a wedding dress, fabric comes off: tulle, lace, satin, sometimes several layers of each. Most of it is beautiful, and it came from your gown. Rather than leave it behind, you can turn it into something to keep or give.
Keepsakes from your hem
- A pocket square for your partner, in lace or satin from your gown, so the two of you match in every photo.
- Scrunchies for you and your bridal party, or to wear after the updo comes down. Long hem strips suit them perfectly.
- A scarf, veil or cape, when the hem leaves enough fabric, or made from a fabric you bring.
How much fabric you will have
It depends on how much the hem comes up and how many layers the skirt has. Offcuts come away as long, narrow strips, as tall as the amount taken up. A gown taken up several inches through many layers leaves plenty. A hem that comes up an inch leaves very little. Our post on hemming a wedding dress explains what happens to each layer.
We can tell you at your first fitting, once the hem is pinned, what your offcuts will allow.
How to ask for it
Tick “Turn your hem offcuts into keepsakes” on your bridal alterations quote, or mention it at your first fitting. Asking early matters: we keep the offcuts and cut them cleanly with your keepsakes in mind, instead of trimming them away. Your keepsakes are made in our atelier alongside your alterations and ready when you collect your gown.
For a bigger heirloom project, like a gown passed down from your mother, see redesigning your mother’s wedding dress.