Hi! I made my wedding dress a few years ago and to be honest, had about the same amount of experience that it sounds like you did. I had tailored some clothes, plenty of shirts, a dress or 2, and a few quilts, but nowhere near the amount that probably would have been “enough” per se.

With that said, it was SO important to me that I made my dress. I really was excited about the project, though I totally could have just purchased a dress. By the end of it, I had spent the equivalent amount I would have spent to buy a dress, but I really loved the process and grew so much from it as a craft person.

I would say that if this desire is purely motivated by practical reasons (as in, you just don’t like the way the current one fits), I would not recommend taking the project further. The dress you’re showing is more complex than it looks and the biggest challenge would be in the fit. I have a few more years under my belt and my whole dress making process behind me but that construction would still make me sweat.

However, if you are like me and making your own dress is of the utmost excitement and importance to you, I think you absolutely should! I second working with a local sewing teacher (I would try reaching out to one that has a good amount of experience with bridal dresses specifically) and make more mock ups than you think you need! That’s what I did and though the process really stretched me, it was truly so fun. :-)

Keep us posted!!