Wedding dress restyle

 

 

 

I love this dress, it had a beautiful tulle overlay skirt and a gorgeous silk bodice. All it took was to replace the puff sleeves with delicate straps and to add a little lace and sparkle and it would be stunning on any bride. I really enjoy doing make overs like this, I like exploring the potential in even the most dubious dresses!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Pink and white dress re-make

So I was a little bored yesterday evening and here's what happens!

 

 

I've had this dated 80s wedding dress for a while, kept because the fabric, although not the best on a fully grown woman had definite potential. I decided to take some scissors to it and see what I could do.

And here is the result, a tiny bridesmaid/ Christening/ party dress for a tiny little girl. the embroidery on this fabric is so delicate it's perfect for a baby dress and actually reminds me quite a lot of some of the beautiful dresses I was put in as a baby (good taste mum! :) )

I love the feeling of having revamped and changed something of pretty much no value that has been discarded by someone else into something new and beautiful and wearable, it's exciting!









This week...Veils and cushions :)

This week has been mostly about making veils, I've been surrounded by tulle in ivory and white, tiny pearl beads, satin ribbon and beautiful trims, I've been in my element, think I might have found my calling in life! :)

 

 

 But not just that, I've also been on a ring-cushion making kick. Using up beautiful scraps of satin and lace to create lovely wedding ring cushions, it's been a bit of a wedding accessories workshop around here, my favourite kind of week! :)

 

Recently...

....I have actually been incredibly productive, with photography, dress making, alterations and nesting, not that you would know it from looking at this blog! Here are some snaps from recently...

 

 

 

* New summer skirts * Pretty flowers * Alterations * A colourful patchwork work in progress *

Lace wedding dress before and after

I have to admit I thought this dress was pretty horrible before, beautiful lace, but long sleeves and a high neckline, combined with a ginormous gathered skirt were just too much!

 

 

 

But removing the gathers, sleeves and high neck revealed a very chic, simple gown which showcases the gorgeous fabrics perfectly!



Wedding dress makeover

Here's another something I've just finished working on. I was given this dress which was something of a blank canvas and instructed to pretty it up a bit. I didn't want to add anything too fussy, just enough to accentuate the simple cut of the dress. 

And so here is the 'After' I added panels of lace to the front of the bodice which I then embellished with sequins and small pearls. I echoed this with more lace around the back dipped neckline which adds elegance and just enough sparkle without being over the top!

(Another) Bridal alteration :)

I'm getting in the swing of this wedding dress alteration thing :) This is definitely the job I was born to do, I'm having so much fun and getting paid for it too! Life is good :)

 

 

*before*

 

This dress was another case of gorgeous fabric and beautiful intricate beading on the bodice and around the hem of the train but unfortunate 80s details including big puffy sleeves and a ginormous bow at the back....

 

 

....Which was the first thing to go, along with those sleeves and satin roses! Added some boning and canvas to strengthen the bodice and voila, a stunning contemporary strapless gown that any bride would look a million dollars in! :)

 

 

Oh, and those sleeves? Well they were just begging to be turned into cute little drawstring bags for a bride to pop all her essential bits and bobs in! :)

Ruffle clutch bag

I am far too excited about this, I warn you! :)

 

 

Above is Figure 1. A 80s concoction of pearls, ruffles, lace and tulle. All beautiful separately but together, far too much! And I have the simple job of restyling it. (more on that later, the dress itself is a work in progress) First to be removed were those over the top ruffled sleeves, which brings me to.....

 

 

 

Figure 2. A brand new ruffled clutch bag. I added a reinforced duchess satin opening, complete with magnetic clasp, stitched on a little motif comprised of left over scraps of lace, a few pearls and a diamante. And there you have it. The perfect bag for a bride to pop her makeup and essentials in (or for me to take out to dinner on Valentines night!) :)

Before & after; white lace dress

 

*Before*

 

Here's a little something I've been working on the last couple of days. An absolutely stunning wedding gown of white lace. Altered from a lovely, if a little dated high necklined and long sleeved style to a cute strapless. Perfect for a summer wedding! :)

 

 



Beaded wedding gown

I was approached by bride Sam, who had found a gorgeous Alfred Angelo wedding gown with exquisite beading on the bodice but with a full gathered skirt, long train and lace peplum rather swamped her frame.

Unfortunately I forgot to take a 'before' photo to fully show the alterations, but I took in the excess skirt fabric to an A line, removed the lace peplum to create a more streamlined shape and shortened the train to more manageable length. And here it is; the beautiful bead work is still intact but not overshadowed by a voluminous skirt, much more contemporary and suited to the bride's taste! :)