First Communion Veils for Sale, Spring/Summer 2025

 

First Communion Veils that are for sale at present.

Net Veil with finished edge and Eucharistic embroidery Motif. SOLD    ( £65 ) (can make another) Can be worn with a floral crown. Net Veil with Our Lady of Guadalupe embroidered section and finished edge. £80 Can be attached to a flower ring. Modelled by a friend. Semi Circular Organza Veil with Eucharistic motif. £40 Organza veil with finished edge and embroidered Celtic cross. £45 Can be gathered onto a crown. Organza triangular lace-trimmed mantilla veil with embroidered cross.  £55 Other veils can be made to order in the following styles:- Large half moon shape with small embroidered cross. £35 Medium lace edged lace, with 3 embroidered crosses. £35 Dotted net with embroidered motif. (motif can be a cross of choice from any shown on this page.) £30

More recent First Communion Dresses

 Just a smattering of the First Communion Dresses I've made more recently.

For Lily

For Martha

Martha wanted a "Mrs Bridges" apron to go over her dress,
 so she could help serve out teas and coffees after Mass!

Margaret Mary's dress.

Bouncing Ballet Bonnet and Baby Dress

I have a dear customer in Australia, who likes to order special gifts for any friends who are having babies. The input from said customer is always interesting, and a starting point for what I am going to put as decorative motifs on the outfits. This time it was for the baby of a former ballerina, so the Swan Lake motifs seemed highly appropriate. 

Made from a delicate Cotton Lawn, with specially designed embroideries, 

hand appliqued into place, and with cotton lace insertions.

Bonnet with a fun scalloped brim.

Details of bonnet, & front yoke embroideries.

Detail of front hem Swans motif, 

and Insertion laces.

Detail of button back and appliqued embroideries.

 

Is Hawaii East or West of here?

 I recently had the pleasure of working with an Orthodox Priest in Hawaii, who wanted a phelonion (Orthodox version of a chasuble to us Western Rite people) in Sarum, or Lenten Array. It's now officially time for him to put it away, as it is their Easter Sunday today, I think. So Happy Easter to (Orthodox) Hawaii, and here's some pics of the phelonion. 

(This one was pretty similar to a gothic style chasuble from the back, but cut shorter at the front, as is usual for a phelonion.) The stole and cincture are much wider, also. Made from pure linen, with red silk orphreys, and lining.

Here is Father using it during Lent.

I'm sure something much more splendid was worn for Easter!

The Mysterious Colour of Dusty Rose

A young lady wanted a bridesmaid's dress making up, the main specifications being that, 'It would be modest, yet fashionable with the right length and colour, & that it fits her well.' The right colour was named as "Dusty Rose" and although the lassie is a student, she liked the idea of having a bespoke silk gown, so I scoured my suppliers for suitable silk. Fortunately, as she is quite petite, I knew I would be able to cut the dress from far less fabric than the pattern advised, so reducing the cost.  After much searching, (and realising what a nebulous name for a colour it was,) I asked her if she could be more specific about the hue. She was able to send me a colour sample she had received from the Bride, which turned out to be quite different from the results of my search. Armed with the sample, I was able to find some lovely crepe backed satin silk from Beckford Silk which went by the name of "Crushed Raspberry!"

Whilst I was at the shop, I found a beautiful end of roll piece of matching Jacquard woven silk. This provided a lovely contrast for the bodice and sleeves.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the best lighting to show off the jacquard woven roses. But this is quite a good colour rendition of the mysteriously-hued fabric. 

The final task was to find a lace to make a mantilla to go with the outfit. Again, after much searching a lace was found, hiding under the name of "Dusky Pink" which seemed to provide a good match. 

Whatever the colour is, the bridesmaid looked stunning, and received many compliments on her attire!

Scotch Bonnets

I heard that there were chili peppers named Scotch Bonnets, but I'd never seen a pepper that looked similar to that item of headgear, and scoffed at the idea that they might, until I came across this image online. 

Having been asked to make a few tartan items for a couple of lads, of Scottish roots, I now have to agree that it is an aptly named fruit (vegetable?)

Tartan waistcoats, and bonnets were the order of the day, for a 3 yr old and a 5 yr old. I decided on a typical country gent's cap for the older one, but couldn't resist the fun of (spending hours) working out where to place the pattern pieces for a true Scots bonnet, wherein all the patterns would match around a centre. It turned out well, methinks.

The lads seem really chuffed with their new outfits!

 

Fortunately, there's a younger baby brother to pass them on to, when they grow out of them!