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!

Cool Summer Frocks

A few of the latest items hot off the sewing machine -

A lightweight cotton dress that has made it to its destination in the USA, where I hope they're having warmer weather than we are here in the coldest August I can remember!

The lady who commissioned this frock sent me 3 photos of widely differing designs, and fortunately was very happy with the dress I finally came up with combining elements of them. The dress is made from a cotton poplin, with glass buttons.

I was asked to make some bridesmaids dresses quite a few months ago, but because of the lockdown and other restrictions on Church services, it seemed as though the wedding would be postponed until next year. Fortunately, I did not have too much on, as the new date was brought forward to September, so I was able to get the dresses made in time. The skirts and puffed sleeves are of cotton lawn and the bodice and sashes are of crepe silk, a rather zany colour combination chosen by the bride!

It was interesting when I was photographing them out doors, to see my garden colours reflecting those of the dresses - there was even a blue morning glory peeping out at the top right!

Another Beautiful Bride, another Wonderful Wedding!

So, like the buses, they all come at once! I've had three wedding dresses to do this year, and each has had its own distinctive beauty, reflecting the character of each bride. What I so love about making wedding dresses, is that the girl's input, along with my design and sewing know-how always ends up with something unique, but reflective of the bride, which you can't really get with an off the peg number (and rarely will you find one of those with SLEEVES!!)
This latest one was a real joy to make, both because of the lass's lovely personality, and because of the fabric she chose which was a rich pure silk ivory taffeta, with a distinctive shawl collar made of silk jacquard with a rose pattern woven in.

(All Photos courtesy of Peter L Jones)

 The ceremony was an Eastern Rite Ukrainian Catholic one, so a new experience for many of the Bride's Latin Catholic friends. There is a lovely crowning ceremony, and I think the dress really did make the Bride look like a queen!

Below are some details of the dress, with its shawl collar and the veil which was also made especially to go with the dress. The dress had silk covered buttons with a front opening so that the shawl collar could be all in one undisturbed piece around the back.

  The veil was made from a pure silk tulle in ivory. The Bride wanted it to cover her hair fully, and we agreed it would look nice with a lace edging. Providentially, I wandered into an antique shop one day and found some lovely antique English net lace, exactly the right colour and width! This was hand-stitched in place to form a beautiful frame for her lovely face.

Many Congratulations to the King and Queen of the Day!

Baptismal Gown for a Summer Baby

I made a First Communion dress for a little girl last year, and her mother is now expecting a new little one, so she came back to me for a Baptismal gown.

This is the first one I've made since I desperately tried to finish my son's before his Baptism - nearly 19 years ago now! (Which you can see in the Header photo of the blog, next to St Zelie!)

The mum had several ideas of what she wanted, so using those, and my own finds - a fantastic lightweight cotton lawn with woven satin stripes and tiny lozenge-embroidered stripes - some lovely soft cotton Nottingham lace, and several specially digitized embroidery designs, it came out beautifully. 

The only problem with sending it to the USA was that the tracking number went dead after it was logged as having got on a plane at Heathrow, so there was a rather nail biting week or two where I hoped and prayed that it was still in transit - and eventually it did turn up - in plenty of time, since baby is due in June!

I was very pleased with the way it turned out but it was time-consuming to make, it took just as long as a first Communion dress!

Detail of the baptismal shells

an IHS cross

and some wheat and grape vines

The fabric is light as gossamer,

and has a cotton lawn lining

Had to wait for an obliging gust of wind to show it off!

A simple button fastening at the back

And of course, there has to be a matching bonnet with embroideries

And the expectant mum is very happy with it too, DG!

Traditional Holy Communion Dresses 2015

Here is a selection of dresses just finished and sent off this spring, some for the USA and some for the UK.

This dress for Madalyn, and the one below
(having slightly differing trim on waist and bodice)
were made for sisters in the USA
The fabric is an embroidered chiffon, which I managed to find after scouring
many fabric shops - it is difficult to find such fabric in white (or at all!)

Francesca's dress

Holly's dress is the only one I've got to see being tried on!
I was glad to see that I managed to get it to fit just right,
from the measurements given!

I made a similar one last year for Lucy's sister,
so it was a pleasure to be making another one for her,
in a different patterned fabric.

These last two photos show a dress made for Louise
in a dotted Swiss cotton fabric,
as specifically requested by her mother.

Back view of Louise's dress showing the ribbon ties,
made from same trim as waistband.

Hopefully I will receive photos of all the girls when they wear them for their special day receiving Our Blessed Lord for the first time.

Modest and Pretty Traditional First Holy Communion Dress

I'm not sure, but I think this just might be one of the prettiest I've made! The fabric is lovely, but it was a one-off, so I won't be able to reproduce it, I'm afraid. I've had such a hard time finding pure cotton broderie anglaise at a reasonable price per metre this year,

I took this on a sunny day before it was
finished - not being certain whether we'd
have any more sunshine before I sent it off.
I love the way the light catches in the fabric,
and yet it remains modest as the body is fully lined.

Just got it in the post to Samantha today, and the sun
obliged for a few minutes after I'd finished sewing,
before I packed it up!

First First Holy Communion Dress for 2015!

It's that time of year again, when the requests for traditional long-sleeved First Holy Communion dresses come in.

Here's one I've almost finished; just the back zip to put in, but it was a nice sunny day, so I put it on a dummy and took it for a walk in the garden! The wind obliged by filling its sails, and making it look really pretty. There is an embroidered cotton strip down the centre of the bodice and skirt, and self fabric tie backs. I made the lace heart motif, which adds a special touch to it.

It should fit a 7 - 8 year old girl. Length from nape to hem is 39 inches, waist should fit 22/23 inches, and chest 26 inches, (99cm, 56/58.5 cm, 66cm.)  It is made from a lovely lightweight pure cotton, that has an embroidered design - see photos below for details. Having long sleeves, and with a full cotton lining it is extremely modest and traditional. Priced at £70 ($108.)

The dummy is too big for the dress,
so as the back isn't done up,
I can't  show a back view properly;
but it has a fabric tie, and a concealed zip.

Detail of  embroidered cotton strip down the front
of the dress

Detail showing fabric embroidery.