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Thursday, August 1, 2013

Vintage style

This lovely dress is styled after a 1950's dress. It is made in silk, with an organza overlay. The lining is pink, to give a blush effect. The bride wore a vintage headband and carried a bouquet made of vintage rhinestone brooches. 

Photo by Justin Van Leuween, Ottawa http://jvlphoto.com/pixelpost/Portfolio/Index/

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Silk wedding gown


Silk chiffon, antique pleated over silk satin underdress


Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Spring time is Prom time

Beaded lace skirt with vintage lace yoke, beaded lace bustier

Thursday, June 20, 2013

An island wedding

Here are two lovely ladies hamming it up in the dresses I made for this tropical wedding.
Here they are, with their handsome escorts.
 

 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Vintage 60's

I had the pleasure of altering this excellent dress. Fully beaded, made with love by hand. All it needs now is a professional steaming.
Claire FowlesHere's a few details. It has been shortened at some point, but we left this as is:
vintage beading 2Doesn't it remind you of the ocean?
vintage beading

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Bridesmaid gown

Cafe au lait satin with wrap Empire waist bodice.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Silk dress

Silk dress with Wrap bodice and sash. We used a piece of costume jewellery to ornament the sash.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Bridesmaid

Sometimes Grandmothers are asked to be bridesmaids. Here's the lovely result.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Christening gown

The joy of handmade


This little beauty was a joy to have in the studio. It really gave me an appreciation for the handmade. It's a Christening gown, being worn by the 9th generation of this family. It is entirely hand made and embroidered, with exquisitely tiny stitching.



I have been ready about Jane Austen. In her time, women spent large parts of each day hand sewing. Making shirts for the menfolk, dresses for themselves and clothing for the poor. It was their duty and occupation.

Look at the lovely emboidery and lace insertions!



Slower times, indeed! No technology to help! No patterns! Those available came from an old dress or a friend who had made one. Their skill-set was huge compared to ours. It really made me think about taking time to use my skills and appreciating the slow mode of hand work. It's so satisfying, wouldn't you agree?