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...

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!

 

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!

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?

Last First Holy Communion Dress of the Season!

Today I managed to deliver the last dress I will have to make for First Communions this Spring/Summer - whew, a weight off my mind! It was quite exciting when the first few commissions came in, then it became rather daunting as I had more orders than ever before this year. But, thanks be to God, everyone got what they wanted, and in time for their special day.  I also have to thank  my trusty courier, (you know who you are, Mrs P!) a lovely American lady married to a chap from my parish, who very helpfully took dresses over to the States when she was visiting family, and posted them over there, thus avoiding the worry of them being held up in customs. She also brought back the pretty fabric that I used in this last dress. 

Isobel's dress is made of embroidered polyester chiffon fabric,

lined with cotton lawn, and trimmed with bands of cotton broderie anglaise..

With wide satin ribbon ties.

Now I can put the white threads away, and move on to another project at the other end of the spectrum, a cassock for a lad who enjoys serving at the altar.

A note to Those interested in ordering a Traditional Modest First Holy Communion Dress

 Happy Epiphany-tide to one and all!

I had a few enquiries last year from folks interested in ordering First Holy Communion dresses for their daughters.  Unfortunately, our computer self-destructed at the end of the year, and I lost a lot of my old emails, and addresses.  So please, if you are still considering ordering one, do get in touch again so that we can discuss your requirements, and I can start sending out sizing charts, and sorting out fabric quantities, etc.

Also, anyone else interested in ordering, the sooner you place your order the better it is for me, as I will have a rush of work once February comes, and I wouldn't want to disappoint.

20 + C + M + B + 16

John Flaxman, Adoration of the Magi

The Lads get a Look-in!

It's not all bonnets and frocks at Zelie's Roses!

Thought I'd post a few photos of something different.

Made for a certain 18 year old's birthday, I was informed, after he'd worn it out to a club one evening that several people had asked whether it was a Versace!! I am not a follower of fashion (can't you tell? I tend to hark back to earlier, more modest styles) so I wasn't sure what a "Versace" would look like...until I 'googled' it, and came up with these -

A mere snip at £490

A wee bit more expensive £550

The piece de resistance, £1,175 - but it is silk,
not wonderful cheap Fabricland cotton!
 

I asked whether he'd got me a few commissions from them, but alas, no... I wouldn't have sniffed at making them for a fraction of the price!...sigh... I must admit, I think my pattern matching is every bit as good as that of the workers Versace gets to make his shirts! I hope they are well-paid for it, considering the final prices of the shirts - it's no mean feat to get all those patterns to match, I can assure you...

Ah well, better to work for love rather than money, eh?

Guinevere's Unique Traditional First Holy Communion Dress & Veil.

Guinevere's parents requested that I make her a dress & veil in a style similar to some old photographs they had, if it were possible.  There wasn't a lot of time for me to spend on copying them exactly, but these are what I came up with, and they are very happy with them, DG!

I enjoy trying to re-create styles in the manner people want, just make sure you contact me nice and early if you do have something specific in mind - especially if you are overseas!

The veil was much harder to make than the dress!! but I eventually found some embroidery motifs, and a veil edging that was similar to what they wanted. But, this sort of thing does take a lot of time to make, so let me know early!!