Feeling Formal

I had the honour of making my sisters formal dress...

She looked so beautiful, and though I am bias...

I'd say "the belle of the ball"

 Grace and I having a good laugh!

I was so very happy with it, and most importantly... so was she!

Hoop-hoop-HOORAY!!

 

The hoop I started with...

a regular, kinda A-line hoop skirt.

but I was after the silhouette of more 1820-30's called an elliptical hoop

I took the top two hoops apart. 

Started pinning it together in the shape I desired.

NOTE: this took a day or two to figure out measurements and techniques, pinning and re-pinning again and again to get it right BUT!! I finally got my shape!

here is what it looked like with a random petty-coat I had draped over it...

(just checking the shape)

Took multiple pictures. Measured every part of it and copied those measurement to my sketched image so as to be able to replica it exactly how I wanted it in the actual materials.

Covered the wire hoops with cotton twill tape (of which I bought 18 meters)

Pined it together and tried it on to make sure that was how I liked it!!

YES! Really pleased.

Never have I worked with hoop wire, or making any type or "object" (as apposed to just fabric) it was a challenge to configure this shape. And with no experience or hands-on advise or help... 

the internet and Google Images was, again, my best friend!!

(Now, of cause this is only the top half of the hoop cage AND unfortunately is only pinned at this point... so that'll be a lot of hand stitching!!)

Ooh exciting times. It has been too long since I've been captivated by creating!! I continue to look forward to a beautiful ball gown (though its is months n months away) BUT remember to enjoy the process and the journey getting there...

                                                                                                     Rose xx

A Dream is a Wish...

It for sure is every little girls dream to be a princess and dance in a magnificent ball gown like Cinderella's! And for me, well, I guess in short... I've just never grown up!

Sandy Powell has out done herself again! (I was a huge fan of her work in "The Young Victoria")

She truly did bring the magical wonder of such an iconic fairy tale princess to life!! With such pressure to "get it right" in the eyes of EVERYONE. In my eyes she definitely got it right! (Thank 

you Disney!) 

I mean - LOOK AT THIS!!

A few weeks ago I drew up a few sketches and water-colours of a gown I would wish to "magically appear" (since I had made myself a mask)

...The Masquerade Rose...

but unfortunately it takes far longer to make than it does to imagine.

for if you look at the work not only in the dress its self but the under garments!!

the crinoline hoop frame

the hundreds of meters of frills sewn onto it!!! 

with all my searching I was unable to find any images of the corset she wore for the ball gown or her day dress (anything regarding "corset" led to "Oh how tiny her waist is" and nothing to do with design!)

Here is what I designed to be the frame work to my gown. 

I regret to say that these sketches were drawn quite a while ago and yet it seems a gown like this doesn't appear quite so swiftly as when a fairy-god-mother takes action! I don't know if I will ever make this. But half of the pleasure of something is looking forward to it. It maybe a while till I wear a ball gown like this... but nothing will stop me from looking forward to it!! 

Even though it is soooo super "corny" 

I do want to see things not only as they are, but as they could be.

"if you believe in courage, kindness and occasionally magic..."

Two Piece

I had been wanting to make a two piece for a while. One that was classy, not skimpy and looks like there wasn't enough fabric to finish it!! So with some left of over material from a dooner cover, this is what I got...

V neck-line with purl buttons down the back. Fully lined bodice. Inverted box pleated A-line skirt! With floral print cotton fabric.

(This photo-shoot was mainly for "head-shots" but I was wearing the out fit for it so though it doesnt give a detailed visual description of the two piece, you kind of get the idea!!)

My sister and I...

             

...one of my favourite shots of the day...

(camera credit to my friend Bethany!!)

What do you think???

I'm loving green at the moment!! So am so pleased I was able to find and use this greeny-blue material!!

Rose xx

Summer dress

Though I've not posted in months... I've not been idle!

Still keeping my sketch design books full and extending the size of my wardrobe with the new things I've been working on!! Here is a dress I finished about a week ago...

Rose xx

Y E A R 1 2 F O R M A L

My first making of a formal gown!!

This is Taylor, a friend of mine. I know her form church and we dance together... 

She was almost finished school, studying for HSC and the formal was coming up and still she had purchased no dress!

She knew exactly what she wanted, which in some cases is fantastic when looking for a dress, but in this case it wasn't working in her favour - nothing was 'just right'...

she described the dress she wanted to me. said she couldn't find it anywhere so she would resign herself to a skirt I'd alter for her and she'd try to find a top for it, but the two piece thing wasn't her fave for her formal...

So I agreed to adjusting this skirt and said if she needed a top/bodice I'd be happy to make her one etc. but, whilst on holidays in Forster, I was lying on my bed sketching out what she had described to me... I had wanted to make a dress like this, since the style wasn't the most flattering for my body shape, hence had not created one yet. Tossing up the idea whether or not I should message her the pic and see if she'd like me to make it for her, I lay in bed wondering... I didn't want her to feel pressured into me having to make her this dress, and it wouldn't be cheap either! but I made up my mind... it was worth asking the question! So on to Face Book I got and sent her the sketch.

           

I waited in anticipation. When would she reply? What would she say?...

*beep* A message. From Taylor. She loved it. 

So a little nervously I replied. Saying I would be more than happy to making it if she wanted! (also relating that there was no pressure at all...) 

She said YES! (she also hoping that is wasn't out of obligation or pressure, me feeling like I had to make her this dress! so it was quite funny that actually we both really wanted to do this!!) there were a few changes she wanted to make. So she sent me some pictures and I did a second sketch design and sent it to her... it was completely 100% what she wanted!! discussing further on price, how much time I had to sew, buying fabric, fittings, her exam schedule etc. I had about three weeks after I got back home the next week from our family holiday... we had to get the first toile fitting done ASAP so I could begin!

It was a great experience! I learnt a lot and Taylor was really fantastic to work with. She knew exactly what she wanted, but at the same time completely trusted me that, even though I was only 15... I have had two years experience in couture, I knew what I was doing...   

The final fitting came around and we were both over the moon! It fitted perfectly, I was thrilled and it looked wonderful on her, she was thrilled!! 

November 12th: THE FORMAL DAY! My sister and I went to see her for the photos and... she looked stunning! Looking around at all the other girls in there dresses, they looking nice but, though I say it myself... Tay was quite the Belle of the Ball! 

It was the 'stand out' dress. Different but not wako or weird, but classy yet on trend, suited her perfectly!

Model and Designer 

The Final Sketch Design 

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to make this dress! It has been great, not just me learning more but from it I've been able to advertise myself and by business, I've decided to create. I have now started a Face Book: Elizabeth Rose Couture and have an Instagram: elizabethrosecouture Check them out!! 

What do yo think of the dress? how would you like a costume made, designed dress specifically fitted to your body and shape, completely you!???  

1950's Corset//Bra

I was given a bunch of hand made costumes, corsets and all that, beautifully made... and amongst the 18th century stays and medieval dresses, there was an authentic 50's corset!! 

The 1950's is such a pretty time for fashion, I am a fan of the 50's! and wanted to make an authentic dress of the time period (so I could be Maria from "The Sound of Music") and so I was stoked when I saw it!... an actual bra/corset from the time!!

it was many sizes too big for me, but I fitted it and then cut it up for a pattern (sadly, since I would have like to have kept it whole, but you gotta do what you gotta do... )

My verison:
made in one day.
pretty terribly sewn to be honest, not my usual 'couture eye-to-detail' but it works and... I just wanted to get it done and have it!! (I really need to work on my patients in situations like this)

 am now making plans for a camisole/chemise then... a dress!