Marilyn Monroe Gold Lame Dress-Simplified

 This is a simplified version of the famous gold lame dress Marilyn Monroe briefly wore in the film "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds'' you only see it from behind for a few seconds. To start with i found this pre-pleated lame fabric for a pretty good deal and thought id see how it worked for this dress, the pleat pattern is not the same as the original dress but it does give it that look. The bodice is lined with satin with boning and bullet cups sewn in, i also had some lingerie wires in a V shape, though they are only 2'' long on each side I put it in with some boning up the front to help support the neckline. The skirt is cut on the bias which was a trick with this fabric, the fabric doesn't hang the same way going the other direction so i had to fiddle with the seams a good bit. The front drape is only attached to the front of the dress and covers a walking slit in the skirt below. This is also not how the original dress was done but it was a bit easier to make this way. My sample dress was up briefly for sale on Etsy but has already sold :-)

Marilyn Monroe- Red & White Polkadot Bikini 3pc

 This is a suit i have been wanting to try for ages and finally got around to it. Styled after the swimsuit worn by Marilyn Monroe in one of her many photo-shoots. 3pc bikini included, top, low-rise bottom and a skirt. The entire suit is cotton just as the original suit would have been. The top is interfaced for more stability, trimmed with white ruffles and double halter straps. Ties in the back. The bottoms are cut on the bias and finished with elastic, I left off the leg ruffles as Marilyn tucked them under in most of the photos. The little wrap skirt i made slightly longer in the back for more coverage, also Marilyn's skirt is pushed up a little bit in the back shot. I think id like to try this again in a spandex and see how it works in a more swim friendly fabric. This sample is now available for sale over at my 2nd Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/listing/160550678/marilyn-monroe-pinup-bikini-3pc-top?ref=shop_home_active

Have this made in your size through my shop Morningstr84

Restyled 80s/90s Party Dress

This dress was something that I started remodeling a while ago and never got pictures before i started, i know, i know i'm kicking myself too. BUT it originally had a high scoop neckline in front and short puffed sleeves that came about midway between elbow and shoulder, it was very 80's/90's looking and not in a good way.
So the sleeves were the first thing to go and then I changed the neckline. I had some lovely ivory Alencon lace trim that i added to the bust and around the hip. Then i added another, softer lace trim around the armholes, i also shaped the bodice a bit more taking it in at the arm hole so it didn't gap and i took the waist in a little for a less boxy shape. The dress already had a netting slip attached to give it the fullness, which was great! There were a few little snags in the satin skirt that i covered using little floral cutouts from the lace giving it a scattered applique look down the front sides of the skirt, i added a few that weren't needed to give it a more intentional look. Then i just added the ribbon tie at the waist and she was finished! I really like how this one turned out, its a totally different look than it was to start with, even though i dont have the original pics im sure you can imagine the before just a little. Now it has a retro wedding reception vibe to it and it's available for sale over at my Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/listing/157686533/pinup-wedding-dress-retro-vintage-50s?ref=shop_home_active

''Suddenly Last Summer'' Ivory Wedding Dress- Plus Customer Photos

 

I got some more customer photos! Above are the pictures my lovely customer sent me, you can also check out the photographers facebook here:

www.facebook.com/pages/kevin-schurb-PHOTOGRAPHY/483818608334709

This is the ''Suddenly Last Summer'' dress in ivory linen. The perfect casual 1950s style summer wedding dress. Features a sweetheart neckline, bra cups and boning support, the bodice is fully lined, back zipper and it has a matching wide buckle belt.

Below are the pictures i took of the dress right before being packaged :-)

You can check out my origional post about the green Elizabeth Taylor ''Suddenly Last Summer'' dress here:

http://morningstar84.blogspot.com/search?q=suddenly+last+summer

Stash Fabric Projects and Final Orders

 The two dresses above were custom orders I finished up about a month ago, Audrey Hepburn's ''Lace Oscar Dress'' and Marilyn Monroe's ''Chinese Theater Dress''

Even though i'm not taking new orders for a while and i'm officially on ''maternity leave'' now waiting for my little guy to arrive,  I still cant seem to get away from the sewing machine. Below are mostly things that i have made recently using fabrics that i had hanging around :-)

 This was a fun experiment with a cotton lettuce print fabric, a tie shoulder detail, button front and 3/4 sleeves

https://www.etsy.com/listing/155391590/pinup-secretary-top-blouse-50s-style?ref=shop_home_active

This was another fun project, using fabric i had in my stash, cotton print sailor themed fabric with white cotton twill for the skirt.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157232028/1950s-style-pinup-wiggle-halter-peplum?ref=shop_home_active

 This dress was a sample i made years ago and found in my vintage things, made with antique satin, both sides are used for contrast.

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/155413909/pinup-wiggle-dress-1950s-style?ref=shop_home_active

High waist white cotton twill pinup shorts with fun little ties on the sides, back zipper.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157366891/50s-style-pinup-shorts-high-waist-hi?ref=shop_home_active

This was the last little bit of the suiting fabric that i used for the marilyn monroe wiggle dress, so i restyled the dress pattern into a top with the same bow and bust detail.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157773286/marilyn-monroe-50s-inspired-pinup-blouse?ref=shop_home_active

Teal Silk 1930's Evening Dress- Eva Dress Pattern

 This dress was a custom request, she sent me the fabric that she chose, a silk satin and matching lace. The design she chose is a nightgown pattern from Eva Dress Patterns, number NL30-7121 they make and sell copies of vintage patterns. The nightgown was meant to be a slip on so the back was loose, meant to be held in with the back tie, also the skirt pattern is Aline. I added back darts to the bodice and the skirt and curved in the skirt at the knee for a more hourglass shape. The skirt length also had to be adjusted, so quite a bit of pattern alteration was done before I ever cut out the dress. I put in an invisible zipper in the side seam, since i didn't want to mess with lace detail across the shoulders, I also made the waist tie separate from the dress so the tie could be worn to the side or in the back. Forgive the wrinkles, i hadn't pressed the dress yet when i took pics! Have a dress custom made for you through my Etsy shop Morningstar84

My Lovely customer sent a quick pic of herself wearing the dress :-)

Tulle Version Of Marilyn Monroe's Lace Premiere Dress

 This dress is styled after the dress worn by Marilyn Monroe after she had the satin sash removed and replaced with tulle. All of the materials were things I had on hand, every now and then I like to see what I can do with stash fabrics. I used ivory Alencon lace over ivory bridal satin with ivory tulle across the front. Marilyn had tulle added to both sides of the dress, if you look closely you can see it rapped around from the side across the back. I decided to go with just one side for this dress, I liked the way it looked better. I finished off the top edge of the dress with a vintage pearl and sequin applique, its a bit wider than Marilyn's original dress but I liked it with a little more bling. Below are the pictures Marilyn with the tulle version. My dress is available for purchase here https://www.etsy.com/listing/158541366/marilyn-monroe-inspired-wedding-dress?ref=shop_home_active