I Made My Own Wedding Dress for $30

A Seattle woman took the DIY-wedding trend to a new level when she handmade her wedding dress for all of $30 — while riding the bus to work.

Chi Krneta’s mom taught her to sew when she was a teenager, and making clothes has been a hobby of hers ever since. When she started planning her wedding in 2013, she knew she wanted to make her own dress, but with everything else she had on her to-do list, she wasn’t sure she’d have the time.

“At first I was going to sew a dress, and I thought, ‘Well, I have a lot to do, so how can I do that more efficiently?'” Krneta said. “‘If I crochet it on the bus, I can do that along the way.'”

That’s exactly what she did. About 10 months before her wedding (which was in July), she planned the crocheted dress, and after five months of hourlong commutes on the bus, 5 days a week, she finished it. She had to sew the lining at home (that was tougher than the crocheted part, she said), but most of the work went into the lacy overlay — time she had to spend riding to work anyway. All the materials cost $30 on sale.

Hand-making clothes isn’t everyone’s ticket to a less expensive wedding. Krneta has an extensive background in design (she’s an architect) and has been making clothes for years. She also made the bridesmaid dresses (which convert from floor- to cocktail-length dresses) and a shorter dress for dancing in at the reception. She used a crochet stitch she’d made before, so it was fairly easy for her to replicate for the wedding dress.

Not every budget-conscious bride will have the time or skills to make her own wedding dress, but Krneta’s story is a good example of how people can use their talents to their financial advantage. If money is a concern and you can confidently do something yourself for less money, it’s probably worth the effort.

Weddings have become pretty pricey in the U.S., so finding areas to cut costs has become a priority for almost every engaged couple. Some couples even opt to take out loans to cover their wedding expenses. If you’re planning to apply for one of these loans, make sure you know where your credit stands. You credit score can get you lower interest rates, saving you a significant amount over the life of the loan. You can get your credit scores for free every month on Credit.com.

For those who are curious: Krneta had a backup plan for the dress in that she allowed herself enough time to sew one if the crocheted version failed. Since she posted the images of her dress online, she’s received several requests for a pattern, and she’s trying to make one now to eventually sell (she made the original on the fly). You can view more pictures from Krneta’s DIY wedding on flickr.

I Made My Own Wedding Dress for $30

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