Green Stripes

This fabric is just gorgeous.  A heavy vintage screen printed stripe cotton, crisp and structured used to make our great 50s inspired sun 'stroke' party dress. The long line bodice with fitted hips and changing stripes works really well to cinch the waist and smooth the hips and a little added satin piping adds some subtle detail. This may be my favourite of the stripe dresses we have made so far.

Available to buy here in our etsy shop

Satin Stripes

The first stripe dress in vintage slate grey satin and a super soft cotton shirting with yellow, grey and blue stripes. 

We hand cut the stripes for the skirt in the matching shirting and spend forever lining these up on placer and stitching them in but the finished look is just as I wanted. The bodice was kept simple and classic with matching satin binding to the neckline and arm holes. The skirt was cut with a stiff tulle to line and structure the bell shape, keeping the gathers perky and hem to stand away from the body. 

Finally trimmed with a mustard yellow satin bow to pick up the yellow in the stripes and here you have the finished piece. 

It's a one off and available in our etsy shop here. 

Also loving our new photography lights!

Stripes

So we started with some carefully sourced, hoarded and found vintage stripe fabrics. Just enough to make a dress from each piece and then we turned them into fabulously wonderful party dresses!
Unfortunately the great yellow and cream 40s style cotton was a casualty and though the print was great it's weave was not and ended up in the scrap bin after lots of huffing and puffing and desperately trying to make it into a dress.

The results will follow over the next few days whilst I am away in Singapore.

Sneak Peek at Work in Progress

I have been working away on a small collection of bridal gowns over the last few months and it's nearly time to show you. Here are some sneak peeks of the work in progress for some of the dresses, toiles and details.

Magenta Pink

Recently made again in a gorgeously vibrant magenta pink silk edged in black satin with a velvet bow belt at the waist and a corseted cinched waist with internal stays for a vintage fifties fit.

 Inside a vintage Worth dress with boning and waist stay photo by Sewyourown.

 We have just started to add the additional boning in our cinch waistband with a great vintage tip of adding a grosgrain ribbon belt inside which cinches the waist, helps with the fit of the dress, fastening the zipper and (acccording to Victoria Beckham and many a vintage lady) improves your posture.

Polkadot Bridesmaids

I have just received a gorgeous peek at the polka dot bridesmaids made for a wonderful London town wedding. They look spectacular, very Joan and very, very gorgeous just as I wanted.

The photo was taken by Emma Case and you can view more of her work here on her blog. Full of beautiful photographs and she even made a video for the bride as an added treat.

Purple, Mustard and Grey

Another gorgeous commission specifically ordered in violet purple, mustard yellow and a dove grey silk for pre wedding photos. The rich mustard double bowed sash works perfectly against the dove grey which seems to make every colour pop.
A vintage paste brooch trims the shoulder and the dress is fully lined with structuring to the waistband to nip the waist in.
You can take a look at the same dress in emerald green here with more details

All About Eve

Our 'All about Eve' dress made in the emerald green silk and tulle with net underskirt's and corseted bodice.

Another great collaboration with loyal customer who has inspired me hugely over the past year. This is our latest creation with a  40s silhouette, ruffles peplums, jabot collar and the detachable sleeve bolero lets the design take on a few different persona's.
Made in our favourite heavy viscose wool jersey with tulle plumped shoulders and satin trim.

Something Blue 50s Wedding Dress

 Another version of our classic 50s prom dress in the palest blush blue tulle. This dress has an extra full skirt inspired by the Audrey Hepburn classics and a finely pleated, hand stitched bodice lined silk.

I have been asked a few times for this pale blue recently and it's a great alternative to the ivory and white without loosing the bridal feel. It's a great tone if you're more porcelain skinned as it doesn't wash you out so much and also works beautifully in pinks and greens. Available made to order here.