Winter Wedding Coat

As promised the Wedding Coat I designed for Tracey who got married 28th December 2011

Idea for Design Brief

The brief was a Victorian Riding Jacket with a hood and that would also keep her warm. We were not sure what the weather would be like on the day, December isn't known for it's scorching sunshine up north in the UK :-), after 3 design developments here is my creation,

Photography by Picture U, Carlisle

Back Pleat

Back

Side with Hood Up

Side View

I used diamonte shell clasps on the rear pleat detail and for the side closure which were purchased from Josy Rose Haberdashery, they are beautiful and really work with the deep Bordeuax Red Velvet,

The fur trim used were purchased scarf's and though not ideal I had great difficulty sourcing the right colour fur trim and these worked really well for colour match.

I am so happy how the overall design worked and very proud of the finished garment.

Creations like this are what makes all the hard work worth while :-

Harley Quinn Costume

Last summer a lady enquired if I knew someone who made costumes, being an adventurous sort I put my name forward ;-),

As it turned out she was going to be involved in a Flash Mob Dance in the centre of Carlisle and required a Harley Quinn Costume for the event.



Never one to shy away from a challenge, I accepted the mission to complete the said costume from a roughly dissected then hand stitched pair of lycra onesies, 1 black 1 red and 1 metre of white lycra.





I did my research, good old Google images, and set to work.

All in all when I completed the outfit I was fairly chuffed with my creation :-), picture below is the finished garment

Thank You Natasha for giving me the opportunity to create the costume for you.

Happy 2013

2012 has been quite a busy year all round.

 
I've spent more time on my blog,
I hope to publish more of my achievements during 2013

I've been a very busy grandma, spending time with my very cute grand-daughter Ella, she's now 15 months old and coming along in leaps & bounds,
 and spent time with my wonderful family, Danielle my beautiful daughter & Scott my wonderful hubby, pictured below at Ella's 1st Birthday

Ella , Danielle & Scott, on Ella's 1st Birthday

I've began to put more thought into my creative idea's & skills,
I'm learning new skills constantly
while simultaneously nurturing and perfecting the skills I already possess,

Yes 2012 has been a wonderful year filled with achievements, happiness and Bliss
I hope to continue my Bliss in 2013

I would like to wish everyone a Blissfully Happy 2013 

filled with Happiness and Success 

Atonement Inspired Dress with Corset Top

My next creation for the Atonement inspired dress was the garment I designed for bridesmaid Lyndsey for her Sister's wedding last Christmas.

Front & Back

Back Detail

I designed the corset top, that was laced at the back with satin ribbon, to be attached to the adapted the lower dress, a side slit was added to the front on the left with the hip wrap knotted on the left above the slit, again the dress is made using 100% silk, Habotai Silk for the lining and 16 mommy Crepe De Chine for the main fabric.

The silk was purchased from Beckford Silk as always, who are absolutely wonderful. On this occasion the fabric I ordered had to be specially dyed to match a velvet fabric I was using for the Jacket I was designing for the Bride. The match was wonderful.

I would now say this garment and the Brides Velvet Jacket are currently my signature pieces,I am very proud of them.

Little Shoe's for Ella Bella :-)

Here are a little pair of shoe's I knitted for my grand-daughter, Ella, they were so quick and easy to knit and look so sweet.

The pattern is from Cool Knits for Kids by Kate Gunn & Robyn Macdonald, a really good book to have :-).

I added a couple of little green heart shaped buttons that just finish the shoe's nicely.

Ella's Peep Peep Sleep Suit

I have made my Grand-daughter Ella a new sleep suit.

I adapted the pattern from Small Dream Factory. This is a really good pattern in itself but I made some minor alterations to the length and also the position of the zip which I decide to put centre front.

If I were to make the pattern again I would keep the zip to the side as suggested in the original pattern as it would probably work better.

I used FreeSpirit’s “Baby Talk” fabric in cream for the outer fabric, a Lemon Polycotton for the lining and “Warm & Natural for the insulation.

For the shoulder closures I used large press studs with large pink buttons for decoratio.

The outer fabric is lovely and I must admit I was quite chuffed when I had finished :-), Thank You Small Dream Factory