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!

Pirate

Just thought I'd exercise my designing skills and create a pirate-ish out fit! 

Whilst on holidays I sketched this out...

so with the inspiration of this and using pieces I already had, this is what I got!

aren't these shoes so cool! I've wanted to purchase myself a pair of 18th century looking shoes (and always check the op-shops for old-fashion-ish-looking-shoes) and while op-shopping, on holidays as well actually, my sister found these! Perfect fit and $4 well spent! 

Rose xx

1790's Bodice

Finally I've been able to catch up with my imagination! I've sketched quite a few different gowns etc. that I'd like to make and this was one of them! When op-shopping I tried to restrain myself from looking through the sheets... but couldn't... when coming across a lovely floral dooner-cover and and deep green sheet that looked so good together - I couldn't (or wouldn't) pass up the opportunity to buy them when my imagination had already envisioned a lovely 1700's frock!

My sister and I have wanted me to make a bodice or over-coat with a little peplem/frill at the back... and this was perfect for it! 

When sketching this up I intended to have it fastened up at the front with hook and eyes but, in the process, decide to have it laced at the front with little hand sewn eyelets. Also the neck line didn't end up quite as circular as I would have liked, for my corset's straps would have been visible so I need to make another one! Haha! So in consequence it makes my shoulders look rather narrower... when I already don't have the broadest... but it looks lovely with a little fichu around the neck!

ALSO - I hand sewed the lot! 

I was inspired by the construction of this Riding Habit (I really enjoy this blog, she is so inspiring!) and the loveliness of the Saturday morning, to be out enjoying the sun with a needle and thread... feeling like I was accomplishing something! 

I don't know actually how historically accurate all the seams and techniques are but anywho!  

CONSTRUCTION:

sewing the seam allowance to one side after stitching the back seams together...

what the stitch looks like on the outer... 

just a bit of calico to stiffen the front. pressed and basted.

starting to lining it.

used back stitch for seams, for putting the lining together used a fell stitch.

all the eyelets hand sewn...

Here are the pattern pieces.

the sleeve and peplem pattern.

I have decided to make the train/open-front-skirt thing (what ever you call it) detachable so I can wear it with or with out and different skirts etc. depending on whether I want it for working in the garden where I wouldn't want a too long, light coloured skirt but then, perhaps a little tea-party-picnic I'd proffer something a little different... you know!

look forward to having it completed and posting some pictures of the finished result!! Rose xx

Pretty Dresses

I am quite proud of myself to have competed two dresses in less than a weeks time! I had finally gotten around to making that Victorian (1830's) day dress that I had created and fitted the toile for, but with other projects going, had put it aside... 

This was the sketch. I decided to leave off the long puffs, just do the upper ones also add a waist band. After researching n looking at pictures of gowns at the time, the band added to it quite nicely!

I also was considering hand sewing the entire garment since I've wanted to start actually sewing historically authentic clothing since I've got couture down pat and want to experiment with how clothes used to be made and which techniques where used/fashionable which eras etc... but it ended up being the majority of it sewn with a 21st Century machine!

It didn't take me too long to whip up since I wasn't bothered about all the layers of stiffener/lining/boning etc for just a simple day frock, it was finished with in like two days so...

I WANTED TO MAKE ANOTHER

looked through my tub of sheets I'd collected from Salvo's, jumped onto Pinterest for design ideas (I was going to be using the same pattern but wanted new ideas for sleeves or something...) and the first image I saw was this!

I was like that is exactly the dress I'd like to make!

The image above is the inspiration for this next gown...

I couldn't figure out how the sleeves where done and really wasn't prepared to be frustrated in figuring out sleeve patterns, though they were so cool and I wanted them for this dress however I just used the same pattern as the first, only made them fuller,

so they have quite a POOF!

(was super chuffed when I saw on the sheet's tag that it was 100% cotton too!)

This one is my favourite out of the two... 

Ooh it's so pretty, I feel like "The Young Victoria"

 

My two new gowns! 

the bodice pattern for them both....

this is the 2nd dresses outer/gathered thingie...

They were really easy and quick to sew also look and feel scrumptious on!

Happy sewing... I think I'm ready for a little break! 

 Rose xx

Random Pictures

Inspiration for my 1830's day dress...

  

        

More FROZEN

can you believe it?

Yep, my first couture job is to re-create an inspired-by-Elsa's-Ice-Dress!
As you can see in the sketch we've not done the sleeves and added lace-up back, not going to cover the entire bodice with beading like Elsa's original, the skirt is also fuller and the cloak isn't going to be such a train!

Progress: the bodice is complete...

I am now in the process of making the skirt. More pictures to come soon...
xx

Julie Andrews Would be Proud...

my dress made of curtains...

I've not posted in yonks! Reason being that, well, I have no excuses really only that I've not been photographing the work I've been up to... I have recently had a few enquirers of my talent and had a couple of jobs in altering peoples clothes/dresses and actually have a been hired to make a whole dress for some one, which I am pretty chuffed about!!

this dress here is what I made out of a stack of curtain fabric I was given... lovely for a nice winter dress (even though it is now Spring)! I think it is the best dresses I've ever made (sewing/technically wise) it fits so well and the pressing is gorgeous! I feel so good wearing it, its nice, simple and classy but can also be dressed up to me almost like a brides-maid-dress!

and the little shoes I found at an op-shop - $1

I wore it to an even called "Cherish" which is a production our church puts on every year for high-school aged girls all 'round the place... my sister and I were apart of the production, two dances (One which I choreographed - to the song LET IT GO demi version) and extras in the skit... SUCH FUN!

then after there is an after party with heaps of food, music and photo booth etc.  

CHERISH is always an awesome time... I can't wait for next year! 

So that's where I wore the dress (unfortunately I don't have any pic of it on me... yet)