2023 year in review
This was a wonderfully full year of bridal gown alterations punctuated with some unique projects that were very satisfying to see completed.
Started the year with a project of a Cottage Core inspired dress for a client who models at special events. This was the inspiration.
Toile alterations after a fitting.
Even with ruffles and bows this is still a work outfit and it will get lots of hard wear. So, I could be found serging and hemming YARDS of ruffles for a day or two!
I tried the fork ruffling technique because….why not? It’s not often I get to ruffle 30 yards of ribbon!
So worth it!
We both loved how it turned out! The bodice and skirt are separates and the back bow is removable (it attaches with a hidden magnet) so she has lots of options combined with other pieces she already has in her wardrobe. That’s an invisible separating zipper, too!
Wedding gown alteration-it fit her very nicely at the side seams but the back wasn’t right. Instead of making a major alteration all around, I suggested she do backless and she was very happy to go that route.
It was a much simpler look and she was very happy with it.
A pretty dress for vow renewal ceremony.
Altering the pattern to give her long princess lines in front and a nice fitted waist in back. And add pockets, of course!
Nice fabric gets a nice hem.
Honored to be a small part in this beautiful moment.
Client has a number of sarees that she would like to be able to wear to more frequently. This was the first one she decided to have me work on.
I was SO intimidated by the idea of cutting into this fabric and I wanted the client to be crystal clear on what I was thinking of, too. So, I actually drew the fabric design onto the toile! It was worth it as it really helped her to see what the end result was going to be.
After the first fitting, I was able to start matching the sections of the bodice to likely sections of the embroidery details.
I didn’t want to leave anything to chance so the client and I had an extended text thread at this point!
My skills at piecing were put to the test!
The absolute hardest part!
It was worth all the planning and ENDLESS picking out of stitches!
Not gonna lie, I was pretty proud of myself here!
Feeling confident, moving on to the skirt-with pockets, of course!
How do you serge thick embroidered and crystal covered silk? VERY carefully!!
Sometimes the best laid plans still fall short!
I used every square inch of useable anything by the end!
SO worth it!!
Client wanted to incorporate her Grandmother’s wedding gown into her veil. We talked the process out and I had her cut out the first piece of lace motif. Together we laid out the whole design and ended up with something very pretty and special.
Client had these amazing jewel encrusted shoes…that got caught on her dress immediately. It was so bad-it was either not wear the shoes or…what?! I suggested covering the jewels with some of the illusion that I was cutting off of the hem of the gown. This is the process halfway finished. A subtle solution that had her (and I) feeling SO much safer!
Mother of the Bride wanting to feel comfortable in a nice new ensemble.
She picked out lovely weights of silks for all three pieces and looked fabulous.
Client had a vintage dress that she loved the bodice of but could no longer wear.
With her ok, I took it apart and patterned it off.
The new finished blouse.
The inspiration gown for a Burning Man wedding.
Preliminary placement of corset bones after two fittings.
New lining after adjustments made to toile.
So many boning channels!!
Taught myself how to make looped corset lacing. Thanks YouTube!
Pretty pleased with this end result!
Cutting all the rest of the pieces with the original toile now acting as a pattern.
My girl looked GOOD! Now to get to the fun draping bits.
Unfortunately I don’t have a finished picture but she had gathered lots of fabrics from New York to LA and we put ALL of them to good use!
And finally, a popular look right now that doesn’t have a good commercially available pattern out yet.
We had this cheap version that didn’t have much life to it, even with a good pressing.
I have this pattern in my stash.
Taking the paper pattern and the cheap version together, I was able to make our own version.
It was mainly about much better fabric and MANY more layers.
And YARDS and yards of horsehair braid!
More layers and better fabrics make more a much more exciting look.
I also found a good way to get large format printing done locally and can’t sing the praises enough of all these small pattern companies that are online now.