First prom of the year!!!

I've been very busy sewing prom gowns.  Six in total.  This is the first, a junior prom!  My client, Amber said she wanted to be "elegant and classy."  My kind of girl!  So I drafted this little number in my Wildginger program.  A halter bodice and circle skirt.  I used a red stretch taffeta and a Joann fabric Casa brand poly organza for the overlay.   I love the stretch taffeta fabric.....it is so easy to sew, with just the right amount of stretch.  It holds its shape and does not wrinkle easily.  My source for this fabric is found here. :  https://www.onlinefabricstore.net/orange-stretch-taffeta-fabric-.htm

It comes in many colors!

When I print out the pdf pattern I don't cut the paper.  I trace onto medical exam paper and then use it for the pattern.  I make a mock-up out of muslin for the first fitting.  Wildginger teaches to make a sloper first.  I skip this step and make a mock up instead.  I mark my changes using a sharpie and the muslin becomes my pattern.  For the circle skirt, I decided not to waist my muslin fabric and taped the exam table paper together for the fitting.  I worked like a charm!

The waist looks a little high, that's because the dress is not sitting at the correct position at her neckline. 

Doesn't she look lovely!!!!!!

She was such a sweetie!!!!  I've known her since she was a baby. 

Back to the Sewing Center five more gowns to make!  One very special gown for my GD who is a senior this year!

Happy Sewing!!!!!

Transforming a wedding gown

A dear friend is getting married.  This beautiful young lady embarked on a weight loss journey a few years ago and transformed her body into a more healthy slender look!  She was and is a beautiful lady inside and out!!!!  I was truly honored when she asked me to help her transform her simple straight wedding gown into something a little more fab!!!  She's getting married in Jamaica this October.

She purchased the gown from David's.  Not my favorite place for wedding gowns although they are getting better.  The beads kept falling off, the store told her they had reattached the missing beads!  I was gluing and re-sewing beads throughout the entire alteration process.

Perfect gathers using the ruffle attachment.

First I shortened the back straps (removed the beads first, cut, and reattached the straps).  Second I took in the bodice sides about 1 1/2 inches, then I removed the beading from the neck straps, shortened and reattached the hook and eyes). 

Wigan from Wawak.com

The most dramatic part was creating a removable mermaid tulle skirt.  It's seven layers:  the bottom layer is poly organza with horse hair braid hem, 4 layers of bridal netting/tulle; and 2 layers of sparkle bridal tulle on top.  I gathered all 7 pieces using my treasured gathering foot!!!  The top of the skirt is bound in wigan.  Because it is cut on the bias it attached beautifully to the skirt top!  The final touch was adding a pleated satin trim adorned with pearls to the outside of the wigan.  Because the bride wanted the option of removing skirt at the reception, I sewed hooks inside which will be used to attach the skirt to the tiny thread hooks I strategically sewed around the entire dress.

I waited until she was married today to post this!  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Brooks!!!!  God bless!!!!

The Grand Finale

Well this is the last prom gown of the season.  This is my niece, Brianna.  She looks like a million bucks in the Kelly Rowland knock off gown.  I used a black knit from Metro Textiles for the gown.  The sheer mesh inserts are from Vogue Fabrics.  

Le' Shoe!!!!

The inspiration dress