Current challenge: copying a designer dress...for less!

My current client has asked to have a pattern made for her wedding gown. Her Aunt has always wanted to make her dress. A good way to save money on your wedding! I was happy to do this unusual request. She would like to have her dress as close as I can get to this beautiful Maggie Sottero gown called "Madison Marie". Of course I won't copy it exactly, but I am hoping to pull off a similar style. This dress is designed as a one piece but I will be dividing it into 3 parts: bust, mid-section, skirt. With these following details:

• cross-over sweetheart neckline with ruching
• ruched asymmetrical mid-section
• a-line skirt with side gather and slight train

It will be lined and boned for added support. I have completed the block (foundation pattern for design) which I create from a series of calculations based on the person's measurements. Here is a great resource: Drafting a Basic Bodice Block

Maggie Sotero Gown

Client Block

Youth Arts Festival!

I have signed up to teach a basic design course at the Youth Arts Festival in Sidney! It will be from July 25th-29th, 3 hour classes in the afternoon. Supplies are included with the cost. Please visit The Mary Winspear Centre website for for info. I'm really excited to teach young kids who are interested in design, so please sign up!

In other news, I'm about to start working on a wedding dress pattern for a bride who has an Aunt with a dream to make her wedding dress. I was glad to help out with this otherwise odd request. 

As for my dress, I am ready to get fabric, just got to find the time! Ryan and I are in the midst of putting together a little something for the wedding and there has been lots of organizing and putting together costumes and it is going to be so cute! Can't wait to have everyone see it. 

There is also my Halloween costume for this year that I have to get started on! So much to do!

B.

How to make a flower pin

This week I worked on altering a grad dress. It had a midriff showing bodice and a long skirt. It was a little too 90's! I attached the bodice and modernized it with a shorter hemline. Turned out great but I was left with some extra fabric so I decided to make a flower pin and thought I'd do a little tutorial on how to make this very simple sewing project.


For a medium sized rose:
1. Cut a 7 x 36 inch rectangle of fabric (if you want a smaller rose make the length and width smaller like 4 x 20 inches)
2. Fold this rectangle in half and narrow one end to a point by angling down 8 inches on the raw edge. 
3. At the opposite end (squared one) take the bottom corner and fold the raw edge to match the top raw edge. It should form a triangle shape.
4. Pin and sew a long gathering stitch 1/4" from raw edge, breaking every 10" or so for easier gathering. For extra strength while gathering use a heavy top-stitching thread for the bobbin thread.
5. Starting from the pointed end begin gathering and hand-stitching while rolling up like a newspaper.
6. Once rolled up and hand-stitched tidy up the raw edges with some more hand-stitches.
7. Cut a 2" square and make into a circle wide enough to cover the raw edges on the bottom plus 1/4" to turn under the circle's raw edge.
8. Slip-stitch the circle onto the bottom of the rose.
9. Either sew or hot glue a bar pin or other pin fastener to the back and voila! 

  

New Gallery Images

Just added some new images to my costumes gallery. They were a lot of work, a really great experience. Such great girls. Can't wait until next recital season! I really enjoyed creating some costumes for them that were comfortable and beautiful. Amber, the ballet instructor, sent me a lovely testimonial read it here.

B.

Love Struck "Pure Love" Contest!

 I need your help! I have entered a contest, which could win me over a free booth at the next bridal show!!! Just follow the links below, “like” the fan page, locate my image and get me as many “likes” and comments as you can!!! Whoever gets the most combined votes on both pages by May 30th, 2011…WINS! So Vote now!!!

The theme is pure love, and the photo I have submitted is of Ryan and I at Halloween in our Watchmen get-up!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reflection-Events-Co-Incorporated/128462690558443

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovestruck-Bridal-Show/124306200978218?sk=wall

Poll closed!

Thanks to everyone who voted, I appreciate your input! Looks like the new logo is a hit. I will be slowly working it into my branding.

Costumes are going great so far. Today I have to grade the pattern for multiple sizes. It's been awhile since I had to do this (since I usually only do one garment for one size). We'll see how it goes. After that I am doing two costumes, a bee and a mouse, for two four year olds. I may have another project as well. 

I will post some pics of the costumes soon!

B.

New Logo?

I've been debating changing my logo, above is what I came up with. I wanted something more related to the name and Lily of the Valley always reminds me of my grandmother (it was one of her favorites). I do like the current one, and changing it would take a lot of adjustments... but I'm a small and new company and am able to get away with it until I find something that sticks. Plus keeping things fresh is always nice. 

I would like to know what you think. Should I keep the current one? or have something new?  

Please VOTE at the top right-hand side, thanks!

   

Vs. the current:

  

New Ballet Costume Contract!

I recently met with the ballet instructor over at Boston Dance Collective, here in Victoria, who has given me the opportunity to design 6 costumes for one of her ballet groups. These will be done for their recital in Mid-May. I am really excited at the chance to design for these girls! I've already got a few ideas, but I will check out the dance and meet with the girls on Friday. I wish my work station was set-up so I could start, but alas, everything is still in boxes until we move in on Friday. Busy day! 

B.

Have a Sexy V-Day!

How to Look Sexy on Valentine's Day | eHow.com

It's that special time of year! Here's some great tips on how to have a special and romantic evening...

Ryan, my fiance, and I have made to the island! All of our possessions arrived safely despite the terrible weather. It's raining again as we speak, however, we plan to have a lovely valentine's day. Can't wait for dinner at Brentwood Bay Lodge, I've got a cute new dress to wear... If only I can find which box has my shoes in it... I'll find them, nothing's ruining my V-Day!

B.

Spartacus Blood and Sand: Costume Highlight

 

If you haven't heard of or seen Spartacus on Starz, I would highly recommend you do. It's created by Steven S. DeKnight who is mostly known for Angel, Smallville, and Dollhouse. I could talk about the gripping storyline and bloody action all day but this is a blog about fashion, and what I really loved about this show is the costumes and I couldn't resist giving a shout-out to costume designer Barbara Darragh for her amazing work on the series. Everything from the gladiator armor and simple (yet beautiful) slave garments to the ornate ones worn by the wealthy. Although the story may not be the most historically accurate, the costumes certainly made it feel that way. 

For now I can't wait for season 2 with Liam McIntyre as Spartacus. He's got some pretty big shoes to fill.

B.

One month from today...

I will be living on Vancouver Island. My fiance and I have decided to pack things up and move away from the  city (for the time being). It will be a much-needed fresh start. I love Vancouver, the fashion, the film industry, the people, the landscape... I have had an amazing time here and I hope to one day come back. What does this mean for Elise Tonn Designs? I think it will be a great opportunity to expand my practices to the Island as well as the mainland with the help of SWFDS the fashion design studio here in Vancouver. I don't mind the commute! 

On another note... I am really excited to start sharing my wedding plans (most importantly the dress)! It is still early, May 26th 2012 seems like a ways away but I have a feeling it will be here before I know it. 

Best,

B