the fall/winter wedding dress project...

Ok, so it's been a while since I last posted about the progress on the wedding dress... but I thought I would update you all with some of the picts I was able to capture over the project duration.

 

Layer 1: Lining

 

Layer 2: Bustier

 

Layer 3: Crinolyn

 

Layer 4: Bridal Satin

Layer 5: Lace

 

Layer 7: Tulle & Ribbon

Last step: Bustling

 ______________________________________________________

THE FINISHED DRESS

 

Skirt alterations...

I've been working on a lot of alterations recently... mainly taking in and/or hemming skirts and dresses...

This is one of my recent projects... it's my husband's co-worker's skirt. It had to be taken in around the waist for a better fit. To do this I had to take it a little from each panel at the waistline. This project required the client to come over so I could fit the skirt, as well as a fitting after the skirt alteration was completed, to ensure fit.

My other skirt alteration was from a friend of mine. With her skirt the invisible zipper had broken, so I had to replace a new one for the broken one. This project required no fittings, just a simple fix.

Sprouts is going green...

As some of you may know, I have a couple of shops on Etsy. One of which had an identity crisis, and became the hub for random vintage and handmade items. This shop has now become more focused on bridal, and special occasion. I have taken out some of the random stuff and have added a few things items for Valentines.

My second shop was getting very much neglected, but now is very much the shop I want to invest more time in. Sprouts maternity now has a slightly greener appearance and will mainly feature maternity clothes made from organic or upcycled materials.

Here is the new banner and avatar to my sprouts shop I just made today. I was going for something more a little bit more organic and simple. I really like the concept of "sprouts" featuring an organic brand name to go with the organic clothing. I can't wait to get started.

What are your thoughts... ideas?

The Lost Season 5 Premiere Party...

As many of you know last Wednesday my husband and I hosted a Dharma themed party in honor of the premiere to the 5th season of our favorite television show, LOST. Here are some fun picts of the evening.

("Dharma" on the front door)... could this be another mysterious hatch?

Luggage scattered all over the room with various Dharma food, clothing and medical supplies.

Attached to the luggage around the room were Oceanic airlines luggage tags for the "Oceanic 6."

Snack foods and beverages were decked out with Dharma initiative food labels.

Dharma chili and Dharma chips were served for dinner...

... and for dessert, the ocean full of Oceanic 6 survivors :)

What a fun evening it was. We can't wait for the next episode this Wednesday!!!

Throwing a Lost Season 5 Party...

Next week my husband and I are throwing a Lost party for the season premiere of Lost Season 5 (one of our favorite shows).

This year I think we are going to do a themed cake, serve yummy snack foods, and of course have lots of foods and props with Dharma Initiative labels.

I am looking forward to planning it all out this week.

If you have any suggestions, they are welcomed and very much appreciated. Thanks! :)

A Sneak Peak At Kathrine's Dress...

My friend's wedding (who I was making the wedding dress for in a previous post) is just around the corner, so I thought I would show you a sneak peak before the big day...

These two photos show the lining, crinoline and bustier (with boning).

Here's the bridal satin layer on top of the lining/crinoline/bustier layers. More layers to follow :)

Stay tuned to see the final wedding dress...

Bridesmaid Dress Alterations...

A couple weeks ago I was working on some bridal alterations for an old co-worker of my husbands. She was a bridesmaid in her friend's wedding and in her sister's wedding. Here is the dress for her friend's wedding. With this particular dress I hemmed what was once a calf length dress to make it a tea length dress, and needed to be taken in on the side seams.

For these kind of alterations I would typically charge between $25-$35 to hem the dress depending on the type of fabric, and $20-$40 to make any other minor alterations to the dress.

This particular dress had boning in the side seams, so it required a little bit extra work. In the end, this dress cost about $60 to alter.

This is the third referral from my friend at church who used to do this kind of thing, but is now too busy with school and work.