Friday, September 6, 2013

Lindy Chamberlain Dresses Part 2

 This dress I made using a stretch cotton fabric, princess seams and double tie straps, A-line skirt with some gathering at the waist and a ruffle hem, the back has the same scoop neckline with a center back zipper. I forgot to get a back shot before mailing the dress off, but the back is pretty much the same as the front. Below are the pictures i used to create my version. The original dress on display and photos of Lindy wearing the dress.










This dress is made using vintage light weight 1970s polyester double knit. Finding enough yardage in a peach shade was quite tricky, and after looking around all over the place, it turns out my mom had some hanging out in her stash and she was happy to see it go to use! So we went with a more apricot shade where as the original was a little more to the pink as you can see from the pictures below. The bust is gathered at the center front, the skirt is double width of fabric with a seam at the center front and center back. I did change a few details like push up bra cups to the lining of the dress as requested and a back invisible zipper since it finishes it off nicely. Below are the pictures i used to create the dress above.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Alfred Hitchcock-Psycho-Janet Leigh Dress


 This shirtwaist dress was a custom order, she wanted a dress like the one worn by Janet Leigh in the classic Alfred Hitchcock film ''Psycho''. Instead of a wool dress fabric like the original she chose a lighter weight blue bengaline. The dress features a high narrow collar with pearly buttons down the front. The sleeves are cut long with a wide hem that folds up creating a cuff. The skirt is a full 2 widths of fabric gathered at the waist, with the seams in the center back and center front. A wide fabric covered belt finishes off the look. Below are the pictures I used to create the dress above ;-)





Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Customer Bridal Photos- Audrey Hepburn Oscar Dress


Just a few of the pictures sent by one of my lovely customers! 
She is wearing the Audrey Hepburn Oscar Dress in Ivory.





Id like to credit The Photogenic Lab for photos and the venue is Beatrice and Woodsley.

You can check out my original post about this dress here 

Friday, August 30, 2013

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 :-)





Saturday, August 24, 2013

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






Thursday, August 15, 2013

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

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

''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: