Renaissance Wedding Gown & Bridesmaids Dresses

This dress started out with several sketches and fabric swatches all chosen to fit with the outdoor ''Robbin Hood'' theme wedding. She wanted a dress that would make her look and feel like Maid Marion. We ended up combining the two sketches into one dress made with an ivory brocade with chiffon center front and sleeves like the second image but with the off the shoulder neckline of the first sketch. Since the dress is off the shoulder internal structure was necessary, so boning was placed in each seam through the bodice. The dress lacing in the front and back is adjustable so fitting was easy to adjust to her preference. The lace up sleeve is removable with a full flowy sleeve under. Since it is a summer wedding she wanted short bridesmaids dresses. The purple brocade is a lovely pop of color with faux silk front panel for texture contrast. The girls had the option of going with or without the chiffon under blouse with sleeves. I used the same gold trim on the bridesmaids as the bridal dress down the front and on the sleeves to keep them looking more matched. The bridesmaid dresses lace up the back with a modesty panel, to the dresses can be adjusted to suit their comfort.

Brocade Pinup Wedding Dress & Bridal Photos

This dress is a full length version of a dress i designed a couple years ago.
It is made of cream/champagne poly brocade fabric with ivory bridal satin, ivory tulle and lace.
I found extra strong bridal invisible zippers. I have never put in an invisible zipper before because they are usually not strong enough to last. So i was happy to find some stronger zippers meant for bridal gowns. The zipper went in pretty easily and since most of the wedding you have your back to the audience I though I would remove that distraction. It is fully lined, cut with a straight skirt and back slit. The bodice has boning to the high hip to keep the silhouette smooth. Bridal photos courtesy of the bride herself they may not be used with out permission.
This dress is available as a custom gown at my Esty shop

Customer Pictures-2012

Red Satin Marilyn Monroe Swimsuit and Vest with Rhinestone Bust, Collar and Pockets

                                  Green Stretch Satin Marilyn Halter Dress with Pleated Bust

Just a few pictures of my happy customers and lastly bridesmaids dresses each in a different style.

The Notebook 1940s Style Romper

This cute little romper outfit from the movie ''The Notebook'' was a custom request.
Made out of solid red and white rayon, we weren't able to locate a good print like the one used in the film so she decided on a solid red. I found a vinage red plastic buckle on Etsy, similar to the original. I did a front shorts zipper, though in the 40s it would have had a side zipper or hook & eye closure but those are harder to get on and off to use the restroom. Below are the film stills that i used to create the romper above.

May's Projects- Marilyn, Audrey and More

As i'm sure you can tell wedding season is in full swing! These are just a few of the things I finished this month.

Above is the picture I was given (taken from an ebay listing) a bias cut Dior dress without a lining that was not the correct size for my customer. The fabric she chose and sent to me is a synthetic chiffon and is a bit stiffer than the chiffon the original dress was obviously made with but it worked out well despite weight difference. I used a light weight satin fabric also cut on the bias for the slip. It was one of my favorite projects this month though not my usual vintage style I enjoyed the challenge of figuring out all those circular ruffles, also note the covered button closure up the side.





This dress and jacket are a combination of the Audrey dress above and the Marilyn dress and jacket below.







A favorite dress in faux plum silk with a higher back neckline.




A rarely seen photo pf Marilyn Monroe in an early costume test and my version made from that image, using stretch satin.




Forever a classic the Sabrina dress in blue Thai silk

Elizabeth Taylor-Suddenly Last Summer

This fantastic dress is from the dramatic film ''Suddenly Last Summer''
staring Elizabeth Taylor, though filmed in black and white there are color publicity shots, though each one shows a lightly different green. Below is the dress i made recently using the pictures above. It is made of organic linen, lined in cotton with full boning and bra cups built into the bodice. The skirt is 6 gores each with a pin tuck down the center, you can see the detail in the last black and white image. the bodice neckline is finished off with a facing, as you can see in some of the images of Liz the facing is obvious. In some shots the neckline looks straighter and others more sweetheart, I went with the more sweetheart shape. I also made a matching belt, this is the first time i have used a cover kit for the buckle, it was surprisingly easy. This dress is available over at my Etsy shop Morningstar84 for more details :-)