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Friday, June 20, 2008

There's nothing like a silk party dress



This dress is for a bride to wear at her wedding reception. It really is a party dress. The silk swings so gracefully. The colour is magenta and the silk satin is reversed at the inset to show the crepe reverse side.

The dress came together so beautifully, I may have to make one for myself! Thh dressmaker, alas, is often without new clothes. Such is my lot.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

This week at the studio

New fabrics are arriving for my projects. That's always exciting. I have silk on order for bridesmaid gowns and cottons for costumes piled up on my table. It's going to be a busy Spring!

A short bridal dress with matching jacket is almost ready for a final fitting. I am also making a reception dress for this bride. Pictures to come!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Graduation time



Everyone searches for that certain dress for graduation. Having it made is one way to have an original.

This graduation dress is beautiful in crepe-back satin. It has an empire waist and flared skirt, with sash trim. My client looked stunning in it and was very pleased.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Continuing a tradition




This gown was truly a treasure. It had been worn by the bride's grandmother, altered for her mother and now altered again by me for this lovely bride.

The dress is silk brocade, with silk peau de soie sash and trim. The trim was part of remodelling the dress and not part of the original gown.

An inner boned bodice was added to better fit the strapless gown.

I love these kind of projects!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Rewriting history


This is a reproduction of an 1812 ballgown. I created this for Parks Canada as one of their showcase costumes, in anticipation of the War of 1812 celebrations.
The gown is shot silk taffeta, with gold net overskirt, antique lace trim at the neck and gold metallic ribbon trim on the sleeves and bodice. The outfit is complete with chemise, corset and petticoat.
This outfit took many months to complete. One challenge I faced was the piece of gold net lace, which was just enough for the skirt. The gown had to be cut to fit the lace and it was invisibly pieced at the back. Period construction techniques were used throughout.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Fabulous corset bodice!



This is one of my evening bodices. It is made using a Victorian corset pattern, so is great waist cincher! It laces up at the back and is boned to give it this shape. The client wore it with a lace t-shirt underneath. So sexy! I create these in several fabrics and colours. This one is velvet and taffeta.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Celebrating the Rideau Canal


Spring 2007 saw me working on costumes for the Rideau Canal's 175th anniversary. I created 2 ladies outfits and two girls outfits. The outfits were complete with corsets, petticoats and hats. Corsets are a speciality of mine, something I learned when I worked in theatre. The costumes portrayed Colonel By's family. He was the chief engineer for the building of the canal. These outfits are produced using historically correct construction.

What's Sewing On at the Studio!

Welcome!

This is the place to see all that's going on at the studio on Wellington Street.