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Wednesday, July 29, 2020

EMBELLISHED FULL LENGTH MIRROR

I shared a similar mirror project I had created for myself at the end of last year.  I thought I'd also share this recent transformation that I did with my daughter's mirror.   This one took a few more steps along the way ....... keep reading if you'd like to hear about the journey.
A few years ago, a friend of my daughters was going to be donating this mirror ( I believe it was a family member's actually).  He mentioned it to her in case she might be interested.  Well, she jumped on the offer.  Having always wanted a large full length mirror and knowing how much these little suckers can cost, it was a great offer!

The original color was a very dark espresso, with a plain wide wooden border.  She had me paint it a rose gold color several months later.    Fast forward another year or so, and now that I've learned how to create embellishments using the air dry clay technique, she asked if I could embellish her mirror. 

Here's the early stages of the project.  You can see the basic nature of the mirror (in the picture on the right), and what I was doing as I started using the clay moulds and laying out some design ideas.   Unlike my mirror which had some wood moulding strips around the perimeter, this mirror had nothing.  So I opted to purchase another mould that allowed me to add                            faux moulding out of clay.   
Adding that third mould, gives me a really solid assortment of designs to choose from for the next project (I just know they'll be a next project).  The other thing I'm sure you noticed is the transformation in the color.  This mirror is going in her photography studio which has some gold accents, so the rose gold wasn't going to work.  She asked for more of a true gold color.  To give it more of "baroque" feel, I also added some antiquing to it by using some brown and black paints to create an aged look. 

It's a beauty for sure!  And when I think of how it started out, it really is quite the transformation!  I have to say, I'm really pleased with the final outcome.   It looks outstanding in her studio.  Not only is it a beautiful decorator statement piece, but it's completely functional and just what her clients need to give a quick look before the shutter starts clicking!

Sunday, July 26, 2020

LITTLE GIRL'S DRESS

Switching things up a bit to welcome another generation into our family.   I have a Great Niece due to arrive in early October, so I thought it only fitting that I create her first designer dress!
I have had this embroidered shantung fabric for some time now and it seemed this was the perfect opportunity to show it off!  I ordered the venice lace collar online and love how it accented the neckline just as I had visualized it would.

I think the florals and leaves on the collar compliment the florals and leaves on the skirt so perfectly!

In case you're wondering....I did fully line the dress to finish it off with a custom touch.

I chose a simple commercial pattern, which tend to run a bit big.  I'm thinking maybe by the time she's about 9-12 months old she'll be able to wear this.  I always like to gift clothes that the parents can look forward to as the baby starts growing.

All this dress needs, is some lace ankle socks and maybe a cute pair of shoes and she's going to look like a little doll!  Can't wait to see it on her.

Sunday, July 5, 2020

CUSTOM WEDDING GOWN

I've been so excited to share this gown.  My first meeting with Kristen happened in early February.  When she and her Mom met with me, Kristen had tried on a few gowns but really hadn't landed on exactly what she was looking for in a style.   She fell for a certain geometric lace pattern which is becoming more popular, but other than that, she was open to design ideas. 
This is just the kind of wedding gown project I love.....give me some ideas, maybe a few elements that you like and let me take your vision and create it into your one-of-a-kind dream gown!! At our second meeting, which was when I was taking her measurements, her Mom had shared a picture of Kristen in a bridesmaid dress which was very flattering on her figure type; we all three agreed that would be a good starting point.   So, I was off to the races with a basic idea of a "v" neck in the front and a gathered waistline.  We also chatted about the geometric laces that I had found online and she chose the one that she really liked.  As I was working on the pattern, I sent some ideas to Kristen regarding some design modifications that I felt would be flattering on her.  That included a "v" shaped back (versus the horizontal line from the original dress) and a "cumberbund" type of waistline to highlight her waistline.  She loved both ideas, so I continued on with the pattern and the muslin sample.                                                                       
Now, you realize in the midst of this we have a pandemic that has taken hold in Asia.  You guessed it!  The lace is from a shop in China.  Long story short....this lace is not going to get here in time for this June 5th, 2020 wedding.    And if you're wondering, yes this is a bit of a tighter schedule than I usually work with, but I was only working on one other gown and I knew I could pull this off in time.                                                     
When I started becoming concerned about the lace, I took a field trip to my local JoAnn store.  I was hopeful that I could find an alternative that would be just as pretty and wanted to  provide Kristen a "good news/bad news" message.   In other words, the bottom line was Kristen was going to have to be okay with something other than the geometric pattern since they all come out of Asia.  Rather than a message that said "we can't get the geometric lace", it was "we can't get the geometric lace, but I've found some other options that you might like".  I was so pleasantly surprised to have found four different fabric options that I thought would be ideal for her gown.   I sent her the pictures I took at the store, and Kristen was able to go into the store to see and touch the fabrics in person.   The upper left photo is the fabric draped on my dress form and you can see the pattern.  It starts with long embroidered lines with clear sequins at one selvage and develops into this beautiful embroidered motif all the way to the other selvage.  It is absolutely stunning and shimmers like crazy with those sequins scattered all over the entire fabric. 

This is another favorite creative challenge I love....working with a fabric's motif within the gown to fully utilize all aspects of the fabric within the design of the gown.  You'll notice I chose to use the very basic element of the fabric for the bodice and cumberbund.  I further embellished the cumberbund with lace appliques to match the fabric and then used 3D florals for that extra pop!  
I should mention, at the time of the sample fitting, I had shared my final modification to Kristen to change up gathers at the waistline to tucks, including an inverted center front tuck.  I find tucks so much more flattering than gathers, which can create added bulk at the waistline, which no woman likes!

In order to continue our progress with fittings, you've probably already guessed that we both wore face masks after the "stay at home order" was being relaxed.  It added an interesting element to say the least!  Another curve Kristen was thrown along the way was the need to postpone the wedding (since the venue wasn't able to host the event with the pandemic regulations regarding gatherings still in place in June).     They postponed the event until today, and had to whittle down the guest list considerably.    Kristen was a trooper through it all and an absolute peach to work with!  What stories she'll have to share with her children someday!     Best wishes Kristen to you and your groom.  I hope your big day is filled with sunshine, happiness and lots of love from those guests who mean the most to the two of you!