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@threedresses
Go big (sleeves) or go home!
Go big (sleeves) or go home!
Ashton first came through my doors as an alterations client. After we worked together on two pieces to get the perfect fit, she decided to take the custom route, and have a dress made.
Finding a dress that fits is a challenge Ashton faces every time she goes shopping. She also wanted to try something new by working with a designer.
After our initial custom consultation, and 3 design sketches…
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Bobbi's Indian fabric & what became of them
Bobbi’s Indian fabric & what became of them
Bobbi contacted me a couple of months ago telling me that she had some beautiful silk yardage that she had brought back from her most recent trip to India. She knew she wanted a tunic made of one of the pieces, detailing her favorite neckline and sleeve length.
The tunic is lined in Bemberg rayon, a very soft and delicious lining fabric that is surprisingly sold at JoAnn Fabrics.
I felt…
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You might remember the Beatles costumes I made last summer. Well, Tara, the kids’ mom, contacted me again but this time she wanted something for herself.
She told me she was organizing a Titanic-themed fundraiser. Getting to know her during the Beatles costumes, I knew she was going for accuracy. Painstaking accuracy. Something I didn’t know about her is that she’s a historian and an archeologist so she really appreciated the historical angle I was taking with the fabric choices.
Plus, my days making all the Titanic outfits with the 1912 Project really came in handy!
Here are some pictures Tara sent. Every detail was thoughtfully made and executed with extreme precision. Amazing work, Tara!!
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A Titanic-Themed Fundraiser. Titanic era custom dress You might remember the Beatles costumes I made last summer. Well, Tara, the kids' mom, contacted me again but this time she wanted something for herself.
I don’t cater to prom clients but I couldn’t say no to a custom bustier…not with my corsetry experience. Molly is an artist and has an amazing eye for design.
In getting to know her and her mom, I was struck by their relationship. I love working with a mother and daughter team who are so full of mutual respect and kindness. Erin, Molly’s mom, wanted to gift her daughter with experiences, not just things. I love that!
Here are some process photos. I try to use similar fabric to the final piece so I can both practice working with each material and give clients a sense of the matte or shine of their fabric. I got some swatches so we could perfectly match the bustier fabric to my client’s pumps. The fabric was perfect!
After the first fitting, with all the pinning of excess material, I redesigned the shape of the bra cups to better fit Molly. The original cups were way too revealing.
That’s why I do mock-ups!
I gathered all the information I needed, and set off the work with the silk duchess satin. Each piece of the bustier had a layer of cotton and a black mesh flat-lined to the satin. Boning channels were done in black as well as the binding to connect it with the black suit Molly would be wearing. The back had two layers of this thick mesh for fitting ease since this was not built like a traditional corset.
Here are some final photos of my client, looking pretty pleased with her look!
Here’s to more opportunities to give people the experience of custom.
Custom fitted Duchess Satin Bustier for a prom 2018 client. I don't cater to prom clients but I couldn't say no to a custom bustier...not with my corsetry experience.
Working with clients is always a dialogue...
Working with clients is always a dialogue…
It’s been a minute since I last posted. Bridal season is upon us so my Curvy Custom Bride work has been ramping up. At the same time, I’m narrowing the focus of the Three Dresses Project. I’ll be cleaning up this site for clarity. It’s fun to think of my humble beginnings, fitting myself by myself. I learned so much from taking the time to do that. No matter what fabric you buy or what your…
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Reflection on 2017 and My Word for 2018
That’s a wrap, 2017! This year saw me in business mode full-time. I had no idea starting Curvy Custom Bride would make me feel so raw. It felt like I was finally burning off the rest of what was holding me back. It was hard. And worth it. I hired LuDesign Studio for my Curvy Custom Bride logo and I couldn’t be happier! That leaves the Three Dresses Project needing a redesign. That’s where…
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2016 and a Word of the Year for 2017
2016 and a Word of the Year for 2017
Over the last couple of years, I’ve invested time in coming up with a word for the upcoming year, rather than a wish list of things I want to accomplish. You can see recent words here. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. My kids are at a new school and they love their teachers and have made some great people. They continue to develop new projects, including a board game in the style of…
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Recent projects- a collection
Recent projects- a collection
So…I might have a sequin problem…and a vest problem…or maybe we can avoid calling them problems and just enjoy these projects. The only one that was for me (for now, at least…it IS a sample) is the mustard yellow wool vest. It’s so nice and provides just enough warmth for what I need indoors. I also wanted to update you on my freelance life. The majority of you know that a month ago, I went…
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Custom Super Girl Cosplay
Finally blogged the Super Girl costume
Earlier this year, I was contacted by a bride I worked with who wanted me to make her a Super Girl costume. I have a love/hate relationship with accuracy. Sometimes, it keeps me from actually getting anything done. But other times, when you find the perfect shade of every color to match the inspiration, it works beautifully. This was the case for Sahara Cole’s costume. She sent me this picture: I…
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The boy gets a blazer: It's finished!
The boy gets a blazer: It’s finished!
I finished the boy’s blazer. We switched from the poly wool version to this silk/hemp one after he tried on my byhandLondon blazer and loved the fabric. The cut is really boxy and my boy is rather slender. I took out way too much for the wool version I started and for this one I left all the width but made it a size longer. Not complaining about the Blank Slate Basic Blazer. More like I was lazy…
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I’m slowly jumping on the by hand London love bandwagon and what a wagon! Don’t know if you remember my Hawaiian Holly Jumpsuit! I can’t wait for warmer weather so I can wear that thing into the ground. I’ve made two pairs of trousers with the Holly jumpsuit pants pattern and they’re so delish! I might make some changes to the back crotch- hello no butticcus.
Today I’m here to show you my silk/hemp Victoria Blazer. I must have been blind or something because I forgot the collar pieces. Ha! I still wear it and love it but what an oversight! I still show you the jacket because, really, even some mistakes are manageable. Honestly, this would be something simple to unpick and attach the collar to. If I do that, I’ll post to IG. My point is: Not all mistakes are the end of the world.
I made it out of a blue silk/hemp fabric from work and the lining is a stretch silk watercolor print of yumminess.
The nice thing about a boxy, cropped jacket is that you’re really just focusing on the back and shoulder fit. Of course, you do want to make sure that the length works with your body proportions and this one really did work for me! I did make this what seems like ages ago but I haven’t worn it much because of cold weather restraints. When I took these pictures, it was 60 degrees! That’s crazy for February in Indiana but hey, I’m not complaining.
Who else is longing for warmer weather??
by hand London Victoria Blazer and Leila mixes prints I'm slowly jumping on the by hand London love bandwagon and what a wagon! Don't know if you remember my…
Spring Trend: Sleepwear as Daywear
Spring Trend: Sleepwear as Daywear
I can’t tell you how much I can get behind this trend of wearing pajamas during the day and calling them day wear. Gucci, Alexander Wang, Roberto Cavalli- you have my attention! Check out this article written by sleepwear designer, Francesca Ruffini for Vogue Paris! Mostly, I’ve seen daywear pajamas made in silk and the prints are as bold as they come! I just bought the Closet Case Files…
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The boy gets a jacket: Part Deux
Here’s the Blank Slate jacket after the first fitting. I took in the sleeves to a six for width but left the length at the size 8, shortened the back and narrowed the neck to a size 6, and raised the armholes 2 inches which I’ll have to lower by about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. I had the boy try on the jacket with a sweater underneath. I’m liking the fit this way better. I’m going to add patch…
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A couple of years ago, I made my little guy the Oliver + S Secret Agent Trench. That was 3 years ago, and he still wears it!
This photo was from the summer. You can see that the sleeves are too short- an easy alteration if I wanted to add knit cuffs or something! Anyway, he loves his trench and wears the things I make him a lot, so of course, I am always excited to make him clothes.
I started on a new blazer for him- the Blank Slate patterns Basic Blazer. I did a muslin because I want to focus on fit and the blazers I’ve seen with this pattern all seem to be baggy.
Alterations:
I took up the back hem by pinching out the back length.
I need to raise the underarm seam by 2 inches. I’m not going for lab coat.
I’m bringing in the shoulder where I tucked and later pinned it as the shoulders were too wide. (I’m starting to think I should’ve gone down a size.)
I’m also moving the pockets up- I marked the new placement with chalk during the fitting.
I need to fix the sleeve width- he’s swimming in it- but I have to have him try it on with a long sleeved top first.
I’ll probably be shortening the length at the hem but for now we’re leaving it as is. I do want for the blazer to last him a bit- seeing that the trench was such a hit!
The boy would not be still for the fitting so there’s a bit of just-go-for-itness that I’ll be employing. Good thing he’s cute and blood related.
Next I’ll be cutting a jacket for the girl and then one for myself. We’re all getting tailored jackets this Spring!
Anyone else crazy enough to muslin clothes for kids? Please tell me I’m not alone!
The boy gets a jacket A couple of years ago, I made my little guy the Oliver + S Secret Agent Trench…
First of all, how in the world is it already the end of Jungle January!?! I had so many plans, like every year I’ve participated. Last year I made up on a bunch of jungley clothes and barely posted them to IG! I was hoping to make more this year but c’est la vie!
Let’s get to the real meat of this post. Did you guys see Lena, of Iconic Patterns, post her gorgeous bolero on IG? Here’s hers:
Absolutely gorgeous! Totally the kind of thing I’d make for a client at work, for sure!
The other day when we were on twitter for a #fabricchat revival (we’re trying- next chat is on Feb. 4th at 7pm EST), we were talking about jackets and Lena mentioned she liked drafting but didn’t enjoy writing instructions. That’s when I chimed in that I’d love to work with her to get more of her awesome patterns out into the sewing world! We’ve spoken since and while we’re not ready to make any promises, we do want to at least put out this bolero pattern!! Yes! #collaborationftw
I wanted to make up the bolero in a different fabric to see how it took. I chose this animal print twill I have in my stash. Everything is better in animal print! It looks different than Lena’s gorgeous, lux silk organza and beaded lace version, but I had to! I tells ya. I had to!
I made no alterations to the size 10 but for the next one, I’ll probably do some hollow chest/narrow shoulder adjustments in the front for bewbs sake. I do like the fit and I think it’ll be really fun to wear once things warm up in these parts. I used a wide horsehair braid as an experiment to interface the collar. Lena calls it my Dracula collar. I accept!
Next is my non-apology for asking my kids what they thought of the bolero. My son said it looked like I was a cowgirl and I needed a hat and a horse to ride. He also made me a toy gun for fighting off people as I cross the land. Basically, we had fun. (Photos by Juli)
More to come on getting your hands on this bolero pattern from Iconic Patterns!
Jungle January Bolero… with the help of Iconic Patterns First of all, how in the world is it already the end of Jungle January!?! I had so many plans, like every year I've participated.
Frustrated...and thoughts on being self-taught
Frustrated…and thoughts on being self-taught
Working in bridal is a mixed bag for me. Most days I have clients coming in telling me and my boss how happy they are with the alterations and custom garments we make for them. What sadly sticks out are the people who come in demanding the moon. On one hand, I wish I could remind them that stressing your seamstress out is not going to produce great results. On the other, I get really frustrated…
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Jungle January silk trousers, or How I Wore Hammer Pants and Liked it
Jungle January silk trousers, or How I Wore Hammer Pants and Liked it
Hello! Meet McCalls 6514. I’ve had this pattern in my stash for at least a year. Maybe more. I always thought I’d make the wide legged trousers but then one day I changed my mind, bought this silk jacquard from work and after a couple of days, I have animal print silk hammer pants! Oh yes. Hammer pants. It was fugly. That’s how they felt on at first. Waaaay to wide in the hip for my body so I…
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