Archive June 2011
Christening Dress – recycling for an heirloom update
We promised some better photos of this beautiful little girl in her gown, so here’s an update:
Beautiful Baby!
We were recently asked to make a christening gown from the grandmother’s wedding dress, made from lace with a satin underlay. This is the result, managing to use most of the lace and trim from the original dress, with just a little more silk to complete. There is more fabric in these dresses than you might imagine and the original was relatively short, so we gave the dress two tears and also managed to use the original lace trim on neckline, sleeves and bodice.
Apart from the eco friendly recycling aspect, the family now has an heirloom that no doubt will be used for future christenings and that has family history sewn in!
We enjoyed the “tiny sewing” experience and are happy to offer the same service to future customers. CONTACT US if this concept appeals to you or should you want a brand new gown for your baby’s special day.
Vintage Wedding Dresses – Inspiration pages updated
More images on vintage dresses from art deco to the 50′s can be found on our Vintage Inspiration pages. We have included some images from reproduction patterns that are available today. We cannot guarantee that the pattern in your size will be available, but in any case we can incorporate design ideas that take your fancy into your individual dress, should you not like everything you see. We have more images to upload in the future, including some lingerie from the art deco and 40′s period. Also we will be introducing our own range of authentic lingerie in fabrics and colours that compliment our dresses, including bra, garter belts, pants and slips in addition to our authentic corsetry.
Fit and Foundations
Is she or isn't she? I think she is.........
We Are All Different
The fit of a dress is the most important factor in looking good and those made to basic bust, waist and hip measurements won’t necessarily look right. The deviations in measurements from one person to another
Trends for Vintage Wedding Dresses
Talking to lots of people at the recent London Vintage Fair, it seems that the up and coming era is the 30′s trailing behind the ever popular 50′s. Third place goes to the 40′s, at least on our reckoning, but these estimations are not based on statistical evidence! Luckily, we are ahead of the game and already have our own customisable base design and lots of original 30′s patterns just begging to be made.
How It’s Done – Sassoon Chiffon Evening Dress
bodice showing faced foundation and lining
Evening Dress in Chiffon and Satin
This Bellville Sassoon designed evening dress, in chiffon on satin was recently completed for a prom. The original featured flower details on the curving front seam that the client did not want. The bodice features a satin faced foundation, lining and two layers of chiffon, whereas the skirt has a satin lining a narrow skirt topped with a a voluminous overskirt / train combination.
A cert for Prom Queen!
50′s Customised Dress
Our short silk 50′s dress is proving the most popular design at the moment. It does not have to be made in silk, however, and like this example had additions requested by the bride, together with some changes suggested by us. Here shown on the model, (that never does justice to our dresses!) Additions included spot tulle / organza sleeves and decolletage, with a matching hem detail. Josie provided the vintage buckle for the belt and promises some proper photos of the event soon.
Better Mail Order Dress Service
Better Mail Order Service
We have been asked on several occasions to make a dress, based on standard sizes or basic measurements, in order to save costs and to meet the requirement of brides with limited budgets. We have considered this, but our main concern is that standard measurements don’t provide a perfect fit. This has been confirmed by the number of alterations we are asked to do on other suppliers’ dresses, which include famous brand named dresses, in addition to the cheaper far eastern imports. Alterations are always a compromise and should be avoided if possible.
For our part, we don’t like the idea of other people messing with our dresses, at least when they are new. Rough handling or even the efforts of dressmakers not familiar with wedding fabrics, can ruin an otherwise perfect dress. Providing an ill fitting dress is a job half done as far as we are are concerned and the only compromise is a made to order, postal service that includes a toile for trying on before the main fabric is cut.
Mock up or Toile
Although we prefer to fit personally and try to be flexible when and where we offer this, some just can’t make the necessary arrangements due to commitments or distance issues. The mock up or toile is a way round this and can be the next best thing. It doesn’t cost that much to post one and is included in our mail order service. We won’t be happy until it is right and you can be assured that the final product will fit like a glove.
A mock up, seen here and on our MOB outfit above, is sent for the customer to try on before cutting to ensure a perfect fit.
Prices
From now on, our mail order with toile(s) will be equal to our in house made to measure service, with only the full bespoke design service remaining separate. A standard model will therefore have a fixed price before extras and hopefully this simplified system will make budgeting easier for our customers. Click HERE for more information. If you have any questions about our services CONTACT US here. For another post on mail order click here.