The greatest award is always seeing the final product

I made this dress last year, and I am going to guess that it is close to her 1 year anniversary, where you look back at your wedding pictures and maybe think of the person who made your dress. I'm not sure, but it has happened a few times and I'm always very happy to see them on their wonderous day and proud and honored to be a small part of one of the most happiest days in someones life.

Thank you so much for sharing your pictures. You are very beautiful and make a great looking couple. Why do we tend to forget the poor grooms. ;)

This dress was made from Vogue's Vintage Reproduction 2902. Be warned if you ever try this pattern there is a lot of hand sewing. I used a bridal satin and the petticoat is layers of red and white, which gave its pink hue. I did not make the sash or fascinator. I adore the shoes.

Patterns they are a funny thing

Last summer I got this Simplicity Jiffy Knits pattern 8086 for...10 cents at a garage sale! I want to make if for myself, but shorter. When I look it up online the cheapest I find it is $49.99. Not sure if it is available for sure. I have a pet peeve when vintage pattern websites keep the patterns and don't tag them as sold. Yes keep them for record but please put a big red SOLD next to them! I get happy thinking I can by a dream pattern, put in my cart just to see it is unavailable. Not saying the above link does that, just saying I did not test it, so don't get happy just in case.

If money grew on trees I would be bidding on this

Vintage Vogue Couturier Design Pattern Ronald Paterson. It is already over $60.00, so I won't be able to bid. I wanted to share it anyways as it is such a beautiful pattern.

I did win a pattern today....but I'm going to wait to I make it before posting. I'm think I may just have a little contest afterwards. The winner will get a pattern and I will make sure it is a cute one! The winner will be the first person who comments with the right number and brand of the pattern. I don't have it yet, but I do have fabric on hand to make it. I'm super excited.

Some pretty fabric for me

I got this beautiful fabric, that I'm hoping to make myself something out of. I'm usually not into florals much and always seem to be drawn to black. This fabric just caught my eye and I could not say no.

Yes not there is black :) Or maybe I will use it for a sample dress for the boutique. We discussed reception dresses for the bride.

I've always been partial to Brother Machines...

But how I can resist this Retro Singer machine. Is it because it is black and looks so cool? Has anyone purchased it and if so thoughts on it? Honestly I probably won't give up on my brother machine but this Singer sure would look nice in my sewing room.

A local bridal boutique?

Last year I was contact by a local bridal boutique to be a feature designer. Of course I'm interested in it, but I never seem to have the time to actually make and send samples.Well they contacted me again this year. Here is the link Lemon Chiffon Bridal Boutique.

They are opened to anything, but really want to start a Eco Friendly line. I have one dress that fits and am on Hemp Traders now to find some fabrics. I've purchase from them before and the fabric is so nice. I want to do a new design though. Not that the one I have isn't good, it is just an opportunity to do something new so I'm going to grab it! Stayed tuned. I am putting the samples in my schedule for April.

Butterick 6300 I want!

This pattern is so cute! It is on Ebay right now and yes it is in my watch list, but you all know that I don't mind sharing great pattern finds and maybe we can get in a bid war, I'm kind of poor right now so you have a good chance! ;)

Another beautiful customer

She was sweet enough to allow me to share her picture. Just look at her shoes! OMG too cute and perfect with the outfit. I love the fascinator too. Just the perfect touches for such a pretty girl!

This dress and bolero was made of duchess satin, purchased at fabric.com. I am in love with the quality of their duchess satin. My only wish is they could keep all the colors in stock. I always hate to offer a dress in certain colors or prints, because I never know if they are going to be discontinued. This vibrant purple is still available. They have some really pretty colors right now! I did a fuschia version of this dress too, but didn't take any pictures.

Imagine this dress in pale pink satin and chiffon

This a custom request I received a while ago. I've been itching to start, but have to keep to my schedule. Something about doing something new always excites me. I have already sent out fabric swatches and the dress is going to be a pale pink.

Oh Edith Head why did you make so many lovely dresses

I know a lot  you are like me and have dream dresses you want to recreate. One of mine that I have not had the honor to be able to is by Edith Head, from Roman Holiday. These dresses are always in the back of my head. With a lot of 1950's styles I look at the 1980's patterns as I have mentioned before.

The 80's pattern that I believe will work "almost" perfectly for this beautiful gown is McCalls 7514. The collar which is the focal point of this dress is almost perfect (see view C). The bodice can easily be shorten so not to have the v shape. When cutting the skirt section you would just have to round it off. I own this pattern and it has the v shape in the front and back. Minor changes and you can get this pattern pretty cheap!

Happy to be Back on We Sew Retro

I haven't posted yet, but it has taken me a long time to register for the new "We Sew Retro", one of my favorite blogs of all times. For my vintage followers that haven't joined or rejoined I hope to see you there.

I'm going to post as soon as get the dress I'm working on now finished. It was nice to see some familar faces again.

1930's Gown and Draping a Back Cowl

This dress is completed, but I'm only going to post bits and pieces of it since the bride has not received the dress yet. Hopefully she will share some pictures. Her color choice was Merlot from Robert Kaufman Radiance Silk Collection. I've used this fabric on a few projects and can not recommend it enough. Because you all know I can't take good pictures here is a picture of the swatch.

I used my Simplicty pattern for most of the dress but because of the width of the fabric and it being cut on the bias I had to make some adjustments. The bride did not want the sleeve drape She also wanted to modify the back. So instead of a button back, I had to try to create a cowl back.

My early mistakes on adjustments of this pattern made it a little easier to deal with this time. Now how to drape that cowl in the back? I started off with a rectangle piece, 11" wide and folded it in half. I don't know how long because I just made it bigger and after I assembled the bodice and pinned it I cut off the excess. 

Now the scary part, I have to cut the completed bodice and the worse part is I don't have any extra fabric if I mess it up. I use chalk and draw directly on the bodice where I want it cut. Sorry my pictures are bit blurred, but you get the idea.

After cutting, from what I drew on the bodice, I pin it to the bodice and trim off the excess length. I have to mess around a lot to get the folds down so it lays the way I want it to.

Here is the back on the form stitched. Is there a better way of doing draping a cowl back? I don't know but am always happy to hear other seamstresses tricks of trade. This pattern has a weird way of doing the lining. I made the mistake on my first dress to think I could do it my own way and it did not work. A girl has to try sometimes though. The pattern is not fully lined, but I make sure it is. Obviously you don't want the skirt lining to have the train so I just modify the skirt to be shorter and after it is all sewn I have to cut off more in the back because with out the train extension it is a triangle shape.



When I post the finish gown you will really see how pretty it turned out. The drape in the back can be adjusted to give two different looks. I wasn't striving for that, but it worked out that way.