Of Mantillas and Models

I have been searching for a suitable model for my mantillas for a while -  I do love people sending me photos of the ones they wear and cherish, but sometimes, since I create all my mantillas myself, when I have a new one made I don't have one of my friends to hand to model for me (most of them being hard-working full time mothers!)

But, the other day, this little treasure fell in to my open arms:-

Admittedly, she was in a pretty bad way, and in need of something to revive her, so as I had some statue restoring to do, I got my paints out, and gave her a spot of make-up, so now I have a sweet model to hand, whenever I can't get hold of a real - life one!

And here she is modelling some of my latest creations -

A beautiful and unusual soft champagne coloured lace

with a lovely cutwork design, and a scalloped edge.

This is quite a time-consuming veil to make, 

I have one in stock,

but I can make more on request.

£35-00

Black corded lace, very luxurious fabric, with

a delicate cotton lace edging.

£28.50

A striking blue, suitable for Marian feasts!

Very pretty soft lace.

Last one available!

£28.50

Gorgeous high cotton content lace, lovely feel.

With a scalloped border.

£27.50

There we are, she's not too scary, is she?

Bespoke Cotton Lace Mantilla

Here is one of my latest efforts, a navy blue cotton lace mantilla, made to  a specific size by request.  The lady who ordered it wanted it to have a scalloped edge, so I had to digitize an edging lace for my machine which would finish the mantilla in scallops. 

There was a slight gap between the scallops at the two corners, so I filled those with roses!

A discreet label in black was attached.  I like to design labels to suit the object or garment they will be sewn in to.

The new owner seemed very pleased with it, and I managed, even with all the Summer breaks to get it to her in time for the Feast of the Assumption.

Super Model Mantilla Modelling!

I made a lovely mantilla for a super young woman who does a wonderful job for the pro-life cause.  She had expressed a desire for one that had scallops all round the edge, so with my trusty embroidery machine I managed to find a way to copy the shape of the scallops that were already along one edge of the fabric, and came up with this,

I just hope the modelling agencies don't come after her,

we wouldn't want her to stop her good work!

It's a lovely soft cotton-embroidered lace, (so hard to find decent laces of that sort at a reasonable price!) It did take a long time to make, so doesn't come cheap, but it's well worth it if you want something spectacular.

Mantillas for Mums, and Bonnets for Babies!

I've been making quite a few mantillas lately, and enjoy trying to fulfill the specific requests that people often make, like the brown cotton lace one that was recently asked for.

I love making bonnets too, but am sad that sometimes I don't get to see them being worn by their new owners.  If people buy anything from me, I love to have photos of them or whoever it has been bought for, modelling it.

This one was sent to Japan.

This was used for a Baptism at my Parish. Sadly, I didn't get a photo of baby in it, though!

This was made for baby Grace's Baptism -
I think the photo was taken on another occasion, though.

I love the delicate lace edging framing the face.

But I'm so glad I get to see this one being worn every Sunday!
Maria doesn't seem to mind keeping it on through Mass, either.

A nice easy to wear, elasticated bonnet with lace brim. £8.00 in polycotton, £15.00 in pure cotton, dependent on size.

                                                                             

Cotton lace Mantillas

People often ask for cotton lace mantillas. It is quite hard to find a cotton lace fabric (nigh on impossible) and if it is 100% cotton it will usually be very thick and heavy. (A fine cotton lace would  cost far too much per metre for most people's purses!)  However, I do try and find laces that have a high cotton content, or use cotton lace edging when I can. Here are some examples of the black mantillas I currently have in stock.

High cotton content lace, with cotton lace edging.
£30.00

Lovely soft draping lace with cotton embroideries,
and cotton lace edging.
£35

Soft polyester/nylon lace with a guipure lace edging.
£25.00

Nylon lace with a cotton lace edging.
£27.50