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!

Spring First Communions 2021 Update

 I have been very lax about keeping up with the blog. 

Here's a few items off the machine in the last few months - The latest few First Communion dresses have all wanted pin-tucked bodices, and high necklines, very nice, but oh so time-consuming! (Worth it in the end!)

One for Scotland

One for the USA

Fine Cotton Poplin with added embroidered trim.

A mixture of embroidered cotton in the skirt and sleeves,
With pin tucked cotton lawn bodice,
 and applied cotton trim.

This one has a nice big bow, too.

And being a glutton for punishment, I even designed a matching pin tucked bag for one young lady!

Sara's dress was made of one of the heavier embroidered cottons.
A lovely traditional dress with Peter Pan collar,
and long cuffed sleeves.

I've made a few First Communion veils, and have several in stock, so if anyone needs one, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Embroidered Eucharistic motif on tulle.

embroidered organza,
 with a mantilla lace edging around the face.

Small organza mantilla edged veil 
with embroidered cross.

Embroidered Eucharistic motif, and small cross,
on tulle.

Different types of motifs can be embroidered, please don't hesitate to enquire...

Another Sweet little girl on her First Communion Day

I didn't have too many first Holy Communion dresses this year. I think St. Zelie just sends me what I can cope with - two wedding dresses, and several large liturgical projects are quite enough for a seamstress working alone! However, I did like the way this one turned out -

But it's always a pleasure to see the child wearing them, especially once they've been sent off to foreign climes!

Mary Bernadette's mother made a special effort to get these photos to me in September, so it's about time I updated the blog with them!

Here are the kind words she sent with the photos -

"I would like to thank you again for the beautiful dress you made our daughter. We are so grateful to you.

 I was not sure if I’d ever sent you some pictures so I wanted to take a moment and do that now.

 The veil, the purse and the dress were just beautiful.

I look forward to our second daughter Margaret Mary who is now one years old wearing it on her First Communion Day. "

I love it when I hear that the dress will get used again in the future.

This was another one made earlier this year for Lydia Martha, with a personalised bag and a mantilla veil, her busy Mum hasn't got round to sending me the photos yet!

Summer Sunflowers

My Super Model decided she wanted a "Sunflower" dress, and so I ventured forth to find suitable sunflower fabric. There was quite a lot of quilting fabric, (which is not usually suitable for clothes) but not much dressmaking fabric around. Eventually, after much scouring of the internet, I came across some delightful sunny stuff at a reasonable price in my local fabric shop; such is the way of the world!  Having got the young lady's measurements I proceeded to make a "muslin" as it is known. This is basically the dress made up in a cheap fabric in the required size which is then fitted to the person, before using the "real" fabric.

The only snag was that my model kept moving around the country, so after the first trial muslin was sent to her, and photos and said muslin were duly returned, it was obvious that it would have to be re-cut and re-shaped to get a perfect fit. This is not an easy task when one doesn't have one's model to hand. A second muslin was made up and sent off, but the ensuing photos still didn't quite come up to the mark, although it was much closer than the first one - everyone's body-shape is so different, this is why buying off the peg only works for a few! However, we had dithered long enough, and as I was never going to pin this model down in my vicinity, I decided to take the plunge and make the adjustments by eye, and get the dress made up and sent off.

I was relieved to hear that it was a perfect fit - she had specified certain features, the neckline, the sleeves (which got changed half way through to a style I'd never made before, but which turned out really well) and the skirt shape. I had suggested princess seams for the bodice, as they create such a flattering line, and she ended up delighted with it.

Doesn't she look lovely, and she's even found a stylish pair of shoes to go with it!

 

Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Opus Anglicanum Style.

This was a unique once in a lifetime project whereby I was asked to restore orphreys of Opus Anglicanum embroidery work, and re-mount them onto a newly made chasuble. The project is nearing completion, so I am showing a preview of the work on this fitting feast day!

First Holy Communion 2017

If anyone would like a dress made of the same fabric

(embroidered georgette) I have plenty in stock.

This dress is very pretty with a floaty over-layer, and a cotton lining.

It has to be seen in different light to get the full effect!

Here is Cecilia modelling the dress
(and her Zelie's Roses mantilla)
on her big day!

Last Minute Rush to Catch the Post

I had to get my skates on with these dresses, since I have a friend who was visiting the US, and willing to take them with her and post them once she'd arrived. I actually managed to make three dresses in about 3 1/2 days - a record for me! I was exhausted by the end of it, but glad to get them out in plenty of time for the First Communions, and one Confirmation at the beginning of May.

Cotton broderie anglaise with elasticated cuffs.

Embroidered cotton voile, fully lined.

This one was for the Confirmation.

The last of the Polyester Chiffon.

Fully lined in cotton, with plain cuffs,

At the request of the recipient!

 I didn't have time to get a photo of this one before I added it to the pile my friend was to take, so I was delighted to receive these pictures of it being modelled by its new owner!

Pure cotton broderie anglaise with a Peter Pan

Collar, and 3/4 length cuffed sleeves.

Well worth all the effort!