This dress is a few years old now and I have just realised it wasn’t yet posted. It is made from bias cut cotton voile and had a crochet back. The side closes with embroidered loops and mother of pearl buttons. It would need a lovely backless lining to be work anywhere other than the catwalk.
This lovely dress is made of 2 layers of fine cotton muslin. I haven’t really used cotton before for bridal but here it worked perfectly. It was so fine it draped and fell perfectly for a bias cut.
To make the backless dress I created the whole dress in cotton and then made the crochet lace mandala and stitched it over the dress, once the crochet was in place I cut away the cotton from the back.
The side is closed with little loops and shell buttons.
I have this dress waiting in my wardrobe to be worn again by a relaxed beach bride. Get in touch if you would like some more details, photos or to try it on.
The banksias are coming into flower. soon I will grab myself a huge bouquet to enjoy indoors. If you are not lucky enough to have your own supply here are some for you to enjoy.
I am assuming a blow torch was what has given the wonderful black char to these banksia pods. Just keep them away from the dress.
Lush bouquets mixed with softer foliage and smaller flowers. Most native flowers will last well when cut so arrangements like these can be made days before an event.
I included this lovely print by Australian artist Margaret Preston. The graphic lines on this wood block print are the perfect inspiration for invites. Printing paper with that soft natural colour is available from any good art shop.
Single stems with their leaves are an easy choice as they last well and can be arranged by anyone.
I had some fun playing with banksias from my mum’s garden.
I am really excited to announce that I am going to be participating in the fashion parade for the Wedding expo held annually in Merimbula. This year at the Pambula merimbula gold club.
The parade will include some dresses I have made for brides who are happy to let me have a lend of them and will also include some new dresses I am making especially for the parade.
Here is a little sneak peek. I am using some more unusual fabrics and loving the chance to let my imagination go and take some risks. Above is a vintage black and ivory stripe I am hand tacking ready for pleating. It is going to look ivory at the top of the skirt and each pleat will open to a black stripe at the hem.
This is a natural linen with a fine thread of metallic gold, it is fine and soft and my tests of raw edge ruffles have been a great success.
Tulle finely pleated and sewn in rows for an under skirt. I am only half way down and loving seeing it get fuller and fuller with each row. I am not exactly sure what the dress fabric will be, I have been thinking of a tulle skirt but will have a play around when the under skirt is done.
This will be a lot of work but I am really excited about it.
These dresses will be for sale after the parade. The prices will be great and will include the alterations to fit you. If you dont like exactly that dress the patterns are also available and choosing one will be a great way to save a little as there will be less patternmaking for me.
(Edited to change venue location from club sapphire to the pambula merimbula golf club as the venue has changed this year)
Destination weddings are a favourite of mine. Having an excuse to go somewhere new with family and friends then spending all the time together relaxing and drinking. I made two dresses for this wedding. One for pre wedding cocktails the evening before and one for the wedding.
The cocktail dress was a backless bias cut slip in raw silk detailed with vintage Kimono fabric. The red in the fabric highlighted with the authentic Japanese flower in her hair. Jewelled silver flat salads finished the outfit for a relaxing evening on the lawn.
The wedding dress was a simple strapless panel dress with a full hem. The inside boned and closed with lacing to give a great fit, the outside layer of the dress closed over the lacing with covered buttons. The real star of this outfit is the hair piece made by Melbourne Milliner Richard Nylon. Its base made in the same silk as the dress and it’s colours matching the minty/blue of the lovely little snake skin pumps.
An Inspired Idea, A classic little white jacket for over a wedding dress
I have always loved a costume change (why I love a good Kylie concert) and I love to be able to give a bride a whole new outfit with a creative idea. In this case the dress underneath was a secret to everyone until after the ceremony. The neckline of the dress was almost as deep as the collar of the jacket giving just a glimpse of what was below.
This jacket should also inspire brides to consider a wedding in the cooler months. This is the perfect way to keep warn and still look polished.
I need to declare a conflict of interest here, this flowergirl is my daughter.
When the bride decided on her flowergirl wearing yellow a coincidence struck me. The bride wore a yellow dress when she attended my wedding.
The dress was pulled out from the back of the brides cupboard and recycled into the flowergirl dress. The skirt was permanently pleated so I could easily cut and re sew it into a few layers. The top I cut down to the small size and added a zip and lining.
The flowergirl was supposed to be wearing a corsage but as soon as she saw the pin she wasn’t having it, ‘too ouchy’ She was also supposed to be wearing shoes and have brushed hair but I suppose you take what you can get with a three year old.
Here is the dress in its original incarnation.
A simple and beautiful gown. Hidden pockets for a practical brides necessities and a tie up bustle for a little extra drama.
