4.30.2011

The dress...

The buzz about the royal wedding seemed to be all about the dress. It is amazing to me that they were able to keep the dress so under wraps.

Wasn't it elegant?
It was all about the lace, in my opinion...


A lace that was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at the Hampton Court Palace. The lace was hand-stitched using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, originating in Ireland. This lace making technique dates back to the 1800's.





Roses, thistle, daffodil and shamrocks were hand-cut from lace and sewn onto ivory silk tulle. The lace-makers making Kate's lace were asked to wash their hands every 30 minutes and needles changed out every three minutes as to not mark the color.

Kate also wore three petticoats of this hand embroidered lace, even her shoes were embroidered at the RSN. I'm hoping we get to see pictures of her shoes...I've been on the hunt but without any luck. Have any of you seen her shoes?
Brenda here again, posting later in the day in regards to the above question. Thank you Hesztia for sharing this photo, here are Kate's shoes! Look alikes can be purchase for just a mere $995.00! And one more thing...Kate did her own make-up!

CBS, Sunday Morning did a segment on the Royal School of Needlework. If you are interested in the needle arts, you will enjoy this documentary about the school, which was began in the 1870's. to keep the art of needlework alive. Here is the link. Be sure to visit the Royal School of Needle Works website too. Why you may even find some goodies to order. I managed to find a sampler and black work kit I decided I couldn't live without {sigh}... Now this royal wedding is starting to cost, even myself, some money...



A royal day to remembered that is for sure. A couple of my favorite moments were when Prince William and Harry were at the alter and Harry turned around and looked at Kate and then whispered something to his brother. And the getaway, when William and Kate took off on their own, in his fathers old car, complete with balloons and streamers. A couple of moments that probably ruffled their Queen Grandmother's feathers...don't you think? What was your favorite memories of this royal event?
Have a good weekend,
Brenda

16 comments:

katrien said...

She was so lovely.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful..thanks for sharing these links....I re-shared..
Blessings,
Ronda

Hesztia said...

I loved the sisters' dress too!!:) They are so beautiful and elegant. Kate's shoes you can see here :

http://www.shoeblog.com/blog/kate-middletons-wedding-shoes/

Nicole said...

Thank you for the extra info on the dress and the lace! She was gorgeous and so was the dress!!

mdgtjulie said...

She really looked great. I love her dress. It was so pretty. I'm not a fan of the way her hair looked with the veil though. Oh, well... Glad you found some new stash, lol. I can find new stash almost anywhere!!

Anonymous said...

Brenda, you got my curiosity up with the shoe question so I had to go searching on google. This is the link that I found. Hope this is what you are looking for. For other pictures google Kate Middleton shoes or Kate Middleton wedding dress. Here is the link and a very good camera persons photo, probably the only one that exsists at the moment. http://www.shoehunting.com/collections/Royal-Wedding-of-Kate-Middleton-and-Prince-William-2301/

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

We heard here in the UK that Harry said 'Wait til you see her dress' and when William saw Kate at the altar for the first time, he whispered 'You are so beautiful'.

Apparently he also leaned over to Kate's father at the altar and said ' This was supposed to be a small family affair'

I bet is was fun at the dance at the Palace. Irene xxx

Carrie ~ Cricketwood Prims said...

Her dress was so lovely, i thought, "wouldn't Diana be so pleased." I didn't get to watch so I appreciate your insights and will be watching clips of the event. This wedding seems to be of two people totally in love and that is always enchanting to see.

Rain said...

I thought the best thing was how relaxed-happy and just plain enjoyed her day was the very best thing!!

Nancy said...

The dress was perfect! Kate is so beautiful and elegant...Diana must look down and be so happy that her William has found love and happiness!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

That lace is beautiful, the dress was so elegant too, so much better than Di's crumpled taffeta!
My favourite bit was the balcony when Prince Charles picked up the little bridesmaid. He'll be a lovely Grandad when the time comes.

We visited Hampton Court last year (where the RSN is based). I bought a small kit of Henry VIII.
I fully intend to do one of their courses in the future when the small boy is a little older and can be left.
I noticed they are running classes in San Fransisco this year, don't know if that' close to any of you guys?

Dinie said...

I watched the story of RSN on CBS a couple of weeks ago, absolutely stunning needlework. Hope someone filmed all the lace making for the dress.. I was up at 3:30 to watch the wedding, I did not want to miss it. And when he said to Kate "you look beautiful" my heart melted..

Lelia said...

thx for sharing. I enjoyed the whole thing from 3am on.

I couldn't select a favourite moment!

Mary said...

DH and I were up at 2 a m Pacific time so we could watch it all. A beautiful ceremony and a beautiful young man and woman. Kate chose a perfect dress and couldn't have been more full of grace. So many favorite moments, but DH and I loved when she turned for one last look off the balcony...so happy and full of amazement!
Thank you for the information and pictures of the lace and shoes. I will share immediately with our daughter.

Joni of Fully Wooly Primitives said...

I watched the whole thing from start to finish and then some.. everything was perfect - it was regal but at the same time had those little touches. I thought the little glances they shared were so loving and yes my favourite moment was when Harry whispered to his brother and then William saw Catherine and leaned over to her. I could tell he said something sweet to her.

The dress was gorgeous - such a handsome couple. She was so elegant and did not disappoint. They will make a wonderful king and queen for Canada. They are coming to Ottawa for the July 1st Canada Day and I plan on being there. Lucky my nephew has an apartment there and we will take it over as royal central and see where and when we can catch a glimpse of them along with probably gads of other people LOL
appreciate the links!

Susan At Glen Oaks Primitives said...

Hi, Brenda...isn't she elegant?
My two favorite moments were when William told Kate that she was so beautiful,and when we caught a glimpse of him chewing his upper lip while waiting for Kate. It was noted that Princess Diana often did that,
and it was like she was there in spirit with him on the most important day of his life. Did you see when the sun just burst forth and everything was bathed in sunlight? It was just perfect in every way.
Warm Regards,
Susan B.,Western MA