The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle

ByJennifer Ryan

Release Date: 2022-05-31
Genre: Historical Fiction

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 210 Ratings

Description

Three plucky women lift the spirits of home-front brides in wartime Britain, where clothes rationing leaves little opportunity for pomp or celebration—even at weddings—in this heartwarming novel based on true events, from the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir.

After renowned fashion designer Cressida Westcott loses both her home and her design house in the London Blitz, she has nowhere to go but the family manor house she fled decades ago. Praying that her niece and nephew will be more hospitable than her brother had been, she arrives with nothing but the clothes she stands in, at a loss as to how to rebuild her business while staying in a quaint country village.

Her niece, Violet Westcott, is thrilled that her famous aunt is coming to stay—the village has been interminably dull with all the men off fighting. But just as Cressida arrives, so does Violet’s conscription letter. It couldn’t have come at a worse time; how will she ever find a suitably aristocratic husband if she has to spend her days wearing a frumpy uniform and doing war work?

Meanwhile, the local vicar’s daughter, Grace Carlisle, is trying in vain to repair her mother’s gown, her only chance of a white wedding. When Cressida Westcott appears at the local Sewing Circle meeting, Grace asks for her help—but Cressida has much more to teach the ladies than just simple sewing skills.

Before long, Cressida’s spirit and ambition galvanizes the village group into action, and they find themselves mending wedding dresses not only for local brides, but for brides across the country. And as the women dedicate themselves to helping others celebrate love, they might even manage to find it for themselves.

Reviews

Thoroughly enjoyed this book
5
By Thewalkinglady
A delightful book set in England during the war and how it affected the women who were left behind to make do with rationing and being creative with what was available. There were 3 main characters; each well developed and all were adapting to their circumstances and finding their true selves. It was enjoyable to read and I was sorry to have it end.
Loved gaining insight into the dedicated ladies in WW2
5
By threers
The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle gives amazing insight into the struggles and dedication of British subjects doing their part for the war effort during WW2. Clothing was at a premium during and immediately after the war because of cost and lack of materials. Anything and everything went to the war effort. Women got together to mend and remake anything they could.

I can only imagine how comforting it must have been to sit together, giving and finding encouragement, discussing how to help others and finding ways to make do. Women from different classes and situations worked along side one another with a common goal. The women may have started off with mending everyday clothing but the mending of Grace's wedding dress brought an even bigger purpose to the group. Her dress was only the beginning.

The characters in the book add a lot of color to the story. In fact, the story is a visual aid to those impacted during that terrible time in history. Different classes were affected in different ways. I have to admit I did like reading about situations where someone in high society was knocked down a peg or two. Even better was when those of high society chose to be open minded and accepting of others in great contrast to certain other characters that were just plain rude.

Romance added a wonderful feeling of joy and satisfaction to the story. Love seems to have a way of brightening up the saddest of stories. Love crossed boundaries. Love proved stronger than duty. The author had a wonderful way of adding lots of drama to interactions.

For many this book is like walking down memory lane. I will be purchasing this book for my mom for that very reason. She was one of the recipients of a borrowed wedding dress. I now have to wonder how many others wore that same dress. I will look at wedding pictures during this time period with a new perspective. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of others, a bride got to where a beautiful white wedding gown instead of a uniform or her best dress.
World War II Historical Fiction
5
By cassiew16
The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle A Historical Novel based on a true story by Jennifer Ryan World War II wartime Britain with hardships, rationing, love and weddings. War with all the loss, grief, despair, cultural shifts and every life changed forever. The women of the village and the manor get together to repair a vintage Paris gown. A feeling of Downton Abbey in the setting and some of the characters. A lovely book about love, weddings and war time life in the 1940’s.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars
A Wonderful Story!
5
By akbaird
One small English town, 3 strong women all actively involved with the Aldhurst Sewing Circle that played an integral role during WWII with creating a clothing exchange, so that the community could obtain clothes without using their limited clothing ration cards. Especially useful for parents. Their efforts eventually included Wedding dresses, so that brides could borrow a wedding dress for their big day!

This book is narrated by the following 3 women:

Grace has been taking care of her father since her mother died of TB 10 years ago. She carried out his duties with the church , since he went into a deep depression after his wife’s death. Grace is set to get married in 3 months, but with the clothing rations,
she decides to wear her mother’s wedding gown. The moths damaged the dress, so she needs to mend it if she is going to wear it . Her father suggests taking it to the Aldhurst Sewing Circle to help fix it. Cressida comes to the rescue to help Grace fix it. What will she learn about herself with helping people during the war including attending the Sewing Circle meetings?

Cressida Westport a successful fashion designer who has her own design house in London looses everything when a bomb strikes during WWll, including her design house. Cressida has no choice but to go live with her niece and nephew in the country side of Aldhurst. How will she adapt to small town life? Will she be able to fit in?

Violet, Cressida’s niece, who has to report to active duty right after her Aunt comes to live with her. She has to wear a uniform and cut her hair short, which she is not happy about and feels humiliated by it. What will she learn during her active duty?

A wonderful story of women taking a dire situation and coming up with ways to support their community during the war!