Tag Archives: natural

Making An Old Skirt New Again

06 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Skirt

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When I first learned how to use my sewing machine, I improvised a few skirts. It has been amusing to go back and look at them and see how little I knew about construction.

One of those was a floor length green linen skirt. I knew nothing of zippers so it had a ridiculous series of hooks and eyes in the back. It was far too small for me at this point, but I wanted to salvage it because it is the most perfect green and had a lot of sentimental value.

I cut off the top to make it knee-length, and amazingly enough found my fabric scraps from the project (don’t throw away your big pieces!!!!) and was able to open the skirt up and add another panel so that it would fit.

The last bit was to add some applique. I found a few amazing pieces at Deb’s Lace & Trims in the iron-on applique section for SUPER cheap. Ironed it on and voila!

How I wore it yesterday (this was AFTER an entire day of work, hence the wrinkles)

With Flash to Show the Color

This photo is from my photo-shoot…..I’m just not happy with how I styled it, but it so pretty I had to include it 🙂

Photo by the amazing Drew Beck

For more by the amazing Drew Beck, click here.

Archives – Jessica

20 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in Commissions, Dresses

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I now have a sister-in-law, and she rocks. Her name is Jessica and she came to me a few years ago, along with her friend Cristin to ask me to make her a dress.

She had a photo in a magazine and we started from there. She wanted a simple shift style dress with a few cool style details.

As it tuned out, I already had the perfect fabric. When my great-aunt Kathleen passed away, I inherited a TON of fabric. A lot of it was a little funky and not quite my style, but hidden in the piles were a few true gems. I had about 4 yards of a gorgeous raw silk in a lovely deep purple color.

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

We ended up with a scooped neck in the front, and a nice V in the back. The dress has an empire waist and I added some geometric ruffles to the seam under the bust to add some detailing. The skirt part of the dress also has some tucks and darts to add shape and fullness.

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

This dress ended up being my payment to her for spending 4 entire days with me cleaning out my apartment. WELL worth the trade, I would say!

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

Doesn’t she look gorgeous?

All photos by Drew Beck

Archives – Suzanne

18 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Commissions, Dresses

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Did you know? I have a super-power!

I have the ability to look at a fabric and know what it should become!

At least I’d like to think so.

This is my gorgeous friend Suzanne (or Suz). She was one of my very first commission, if not the first and that is super cool.

She came to me, wanting a summer dress that came to a V in the front, and pockets of course! Those were her only guidelines. So, we went to the fabric store and I found what I thought was one of the most beautiful fabrics I had ever seen and showed it to her for approval. She looked at me like I was a crazy person, but trusted me enough to let me go with it. And….

THIS is what happened:

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

It is a simple dress with a slight surplice top, coming to a V in the back as well. There is a waistband and the the skirt has a little fullness from some pleating. In-seam pockets as well.

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

Thanks Suz for being such a pro at modeling! and Drew Beck for the great pics.

Archives – Backless Dress

17 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Dresses

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This is a dress I actually made for myself. I have a pretty large tattoo on my back and wanted to make a dress to show it off at my cousin’s wedding…..it was also the final project for one of my classes at FIDM. I ended up not having time to finish it or put in a zipper before leaving for Boston and then sadly out-grew the dress. My friend Sarah on the other hand fit into it pretty near perfectly and became obsessed!

It is made of a cross-dyed cotton (fibers going one way are one color, fibers going the other way are another color….its how you make iridescent fabrics) of dark orange and burgundy. The dress is split into 8 panels to add all the fullness at the hem. There is a zipper up the side and it is fully lined in matching cotton for structure.

I am currently working on a new commission that is a completely new version of this dress….can’t wait to show you!

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

Thank to Sarah for being such a lovely model! and Drew Beck for taking such great shots

-Katy