Custom Dressmaking Video

Here is my first ever video with Peer Canvas.  This video gives a little insight into what I do - bringing a dress from concept to creation.  I love what I do, and I'm honored to work with other artists who appreciate my work.  It is always a pleasure working with Marjorie and Brenton of Peer Canvas.  They understand the creative process and their pictures and videos show just how magical the experience of wearing a fairy tale gown can be.

The gown I am working on in this video is a chiffon a-line gown with hand - beaded detailing on the bodice.  My favorite part of making this gown was the bead work.  I hand drew the design and embroidered the "stems" of the design by machine.  I hand beaded the floral and leaf details using a combination of seed beads, pearls, and faceted beads in silver.  

About this week's dress......

My new Etsy listing for this week was my draped tulle gown with rosettes.  Very often when I'm creating a new gown, my concept changes from idea to idea.  I find that if this occurs, I need to let the design "speak" to me so that I know what it should become.  Now I know this sounds a bit odd but I feel that every successful design I've had comes from someplace in my heart, very often I need to set a design aside for some time so that I can return to it fresh.

I began with a simple sweetheart bodice torso and draped the tulle evenly down the length of it.  (I loved draping in design school.  In fact every class I took in fashion school felt like a new piece of some cosmic puzzle I was meant to know. )  I wanted this draping to be subtle and soft yet compliment the figure. My original plan was for a dramatic mermaid gown but I chose a trumpet semi circular skirt in the end.  The layers of tulle on the skirt float as the wearer moves and twirl away from the body when dancing.

My favorite part of this design, as with most of my work, was in creating the rosettes and beading the gown. I took discarded scraps of tulle, chiffon, and organza and singes the edges of the "petals".  Each rose was hand rolled and gathered up into individual floral puffs.  Some remained unadorned but I added a variety of crystals and beads to the other centers.  I LOVE the crystals because they were salvaged from an old necklace found at a garage sale. They are so lovely and bright, I also sprinkled them intermittently over the gown's skirt.

Photo Shoot

It's not every day I get to feel as though my vision is truly coming to life quite like it did yesterday during this photo shoot with the fantastic Marjorie of Peer Canvas.  This shoot featured some of my original designs, this one pictured being from my senior year of design school.  This collection was inspired by the late 19teens and Erte illustrations.  I loved the sumptuous fabrics being used during this time period, the mixing of textures, and the slinky, sexy sense of fashion that was so luxurious.

The red charmeuse slip dress is paired with an over piece of black chiffon which is hand beaded and belted at the hip in a brocade fabric.  Other items in the collection included a faux surplice slip dress, a charmeuse pants suit, and three kimono style jackets made from black satin, red brocade, and trimmed in recycled fur.

A big thank you goes out to Marjorie for her professionalism and enthusiasm.  I'd also like to thank Jessica Timmons for doing such a great job with my make up and hair.I felt like a model for just a little while.  It was a fun day and very inspiring shoot!

Ruby Corset

I made this corset a few months back using a favorite technique of mine - hand stamping velvet.  I created a custom stamp for the center "medallion" and embellished the piece with glass beads and swarovski crystals.  The velvet came from a skirt that was in one of my design school collections. The lining was from a dress that I was creating several muslins for.  I love deconstructing pieces and finding new ways to use the great fabric, no matter how small the scraps may be.

Satin

I've decided to share a picture of a gown I did as a custom piece for a beautiful bride.  This was a ballgown done in silk satin with a removeable train.  I created a custom embroidery and beadwork design for this gown.  It is truly one-of-a-kind.

My fabulous brides

Here is one of my gorgeous clients, Channing, in her custom designed bridal gown.  Channings' gown was an aline style with a chapel train and empire waist.  Her bodice featured a modified sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder 3/4 length sleeves.  The dress was created in matte ivory satin and was embellished with hand stitched alencon lace with pearl beading.  A custom veil of ivory tulle trimmed in satin ribbon completed her bridal look.

This is an example of lace done my own way. I purchased this lace in the yard, removed the sequins and pearls that I didn't care for, cut out each motif individually, and placed them on this gown as I saw fit. Then, I added some lovely vintage beads that were in my collection and made this gown truly one of a kind.

Bugle bead leaves

Swans A Swimming

Seed beads on silk chiffon

Beadwork options. Top left, handstitched edging with sequin and pearl accents. Top right, scattered pearls and seed beads. Right, scrolling design with tear drop and oat pearls.

Scrolling leaf design, machine embroidered with pearl accents.

Floral beadwork

This floral motif measures approximately 10" long and was machine embroidered on silk satin with hand stitched beading of seed beads and rhinestones.

Cutwork

This embroidery was done using a cutwork technique. Silk satin was used instead of the traditional cotton fabric. The gold metallic stitching is hand done and accented by pearls and seed beads.

Embroidery and beadwork

Scattered pearl "buds" with metallic centers

Machine embroidered floral motif on net

Chantilly lace