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!

Working Wonders with a Wedding Dress!

A few months ago, I was rather surprised when the postman delivered such an odd-looking parcel, I wondered what on earth it could contain

When I undid it I found this inside

I had forgotten that a young lady had offered to send me her Wedding dress if I could use it for something.  I had said that I knew someone from Ecuador who had told me that a lot of the children there are so poor they can't afford First Communion dresses.  I suggested to the lady with the Wedding dress that I could make a First Communion dress from it, and so that was why it had turned up on my doorstep!

The bodice and chiffon over layers have been removed
and the lining separated from the skirt.

What a lot of lovely fabric!

I realised once I had de-constructed it, that there was enough there to make two First Communion dresses, and they are now having the finishing touches sewn on (some of the beads removed from the bodice) and will soon be ready to fly to Ecuador with my friend whose daughter is soon to be married there!

This one has a chiffon over skirt,

and uses the beaded straps of the
original dress around the waist
and sleeves

This one has chiffon cuffs with a
few beads sewn round the top of them,

and a chiffon cummerbund which
will have some beads sewn down
the centre. 

Thank you Mrs F. for donating such lovely fabric!

A P P Party!

I was asked to make a Wendy outfit for a little girl who's going to a Peter Pan party. Googling Wendy night gown (since I haven't read the book for rather a long time, I had no idea what she wore) came up mostly with images of a rather revolting empire line blue number, obviously inspired by some Disney production.  Apparently, J M Barrie does not describe it in detail, but empire line, and blue? hardly sounds Edwardian. Since it is to be a useful nightie, and not just a dressing up costume, the Mum and I decided between us that it would be in ivory Winceyette, with just a hint of lace, and a Peter Pan collar. As her older brother is going to be wearing a somewhat Piratical costume (not sure which character he is) I rooted out my son's old tricorn hat I made rather a long time ago - nice to see it being put to good use again!

One of the first things I ever sewed (at school) was a winceyette nightie. It's rather nice stuff, I might just make myself one!

Chasing away the Chilly Winter blues

 

 I'm a bit of a sucker for old fashioned sewing patterns, so when I saw a 1950s one for a baby's "papoose" type sleeping bag I snapped it up. Last Summer, I had bought some lovely quilted fabric from one of my favourite places in France - Alencon (couldn't get any lace, but there was a new fabric shop on the outskirts of town which sold stuff, the likes of which I've never seen in the UK) - and I had been wondering what to do with it.

I love the donkeys, and the Sunbursts.

Bright and cheerful for this grey time of year.

It seemed ideal fabric for the papoose, and I had a little lady (and her Mum) in mind to try it out on - one wonders whether things from yesteryear are still likely to be appealing to the Mothers of today!

And the lovely cotton pique lining fabric was from the same shop too,
I think St. Zelie may have liked this if she were sewing today!

The mother was delighted with it, as the baby had been cold in her Moses basket at night, since she always seemed to throw her covers off.  Mum has just managed to send me some lovely pictures of her sweet little one (less than a month old!) fast asleep, and looking very cosy, I must admit!

God Bless, and
Sleep tight Philomena. X

Adorable!

Rainy Day Coat

 I thought I'd take a few shots, in between showers, of my latest creation which will be duly delivered to my niece this afternoon. I hope I can get her to stand still long enough to model it later.

When I saw the ripstop nylon in the fabric shop, I couldn't resist it; but it's jolly expensive stuff, so I decided the only thing I could afford to make with it would be a toddler-sized coat!

Of course, it needs to be lined with something warm and cosy, and I managed to find the lovely chocolate brown fleece to go inside. It zips up under the flap, and I've sealed the seams inside with ripstop sticky tape, so it should be waterproof.

When I showed it to the ladies at my sewing group they all said "Oh, I want one", my thoughts entirely! Sigh, wish I could afford a giant - sized amount of the fabric!!  I'll just have to enjoy watching my niece in it.

Updated

She was delighted with her "Birdie Coat"
and couldn't wait to try it on!

The big photo shoot outdoors, the next day.

I just love the shape of this coat!

She was such a good model for me, little sweetheart!