Bow Ties!

I’m working with a friend of mine to complement my bridal party services. She makes these AMAZING bow ties! Since she lives right around the corner from me, I thought, “How cool would it be to offer bow ties for the groomsmen and ringbearer made from the same fabric as the bridesmaids’ dresses?” My answer [...]

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The Making of a Beauty Queen – Part III

So, after having the lining done and all the rhinestones attached, it was time to put the two halves together. She also wanted the bustline to have tulle poking out of it, to give interest to the eye at the bustline. I put the tulle between the outer and inner layers and they were sewn [...]

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The Making of a Beauty Queen – Part II

Putting rhinestones on a dress. Hmmm, well there are flatbacks, which definitely helps. Flatback crystals, like the name implies have a flat back to sit flush on the fabric, but have a faceted topside – making the crystals look like they’ve been imbedded into the fabric. There are glue-on and sew-on flatbacks. Glue-ons are used [...]

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The Making of a Beauty Queen – Part I

I’ve been busy. I know, it’s no excuse not to post. Maybe you’ll cut me some slack if I show you what I’ve been up to A lovely, young beauty pageant contestant approached me about making her upcoming pageant dress. I thought how exciting it would be to have one of my dresses on stage [...]

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Danielle: A Formal Halter Dress…

… inspired by Greta. When I saw Greta Garbo in all her Old Hollywood Glam glory, I had to make a dress! Danielle is a halter dress with a sweetheart neckline and jeweled buttons as the closure. She’s a floor length dress with a very long front slit to show some leg. This is a [...]

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Strapless 1950s Inspired Bridesmaid Dress: A Custom Design Story

Susie needs a dress for her sister’s wedding in August. She’s been given some leeway with design and given a range of blue shades to choose from. She’s come to me looking for a design to flatter her voluptuous figure. Here are her inspiration photos: The notched bustline is too revealing for her taste and [...]

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Gigi: 1950s Inspired Strapless Wrap Gown

Gigi was inspired by a film of the same name made in 1958. She has a beautiful pleated, wrap detail that can be tied in the front or the back. Another Made To Order gown, I have created her in floor length, tea length, with straps, and with embroidery detail. She is a throwback to [...]

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New Designs in the Works

You may not know this about me, but I am a homeschooling mother of 4 (ages 7 to 16). During the school year, I am busy, busy with homeschooling and just staying on top of orders that come in. Summer is my “design time”. I’m excited to have time to design! I feel like I [...]

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Dress Sample Sale!

I’m busy working on several new designs for the Formals Collection and am quite excited by the direction my inspirations are taking me! In this business, designs are drawn and tweaked, patterns are made and re-worked, models are chosen and dresses are made. Then photo magic happens, and I get to share my work with [...]

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Old Hollywood Glam – The Bodice

Here’s Phase Two on the 1930s gown: The images show the lined bodice without sleeves, the yoked sash, the circular flutter sleeve, and finally the completed bodice.

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