Scrap Hexagon dress

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on March 13, 2020

13 Mar

Scraps of fabric take up a lot of space and I have never been sentimental enough to waste any of mine on a basket of scraps. I have however cut hexagons out of most of them and kept them for quilting.

For Breakfast at Tiffany’s this past year the theme was inspired by using recycled materials and I was inspired to see if could make them into a dress.

Hexagons like this always need to be sewn together by hand. Very time consuming but has the advantage of being portable so I can work on the couch.

I pieced the hexies together over my dress form set to the measurements of the model for the bodice. She came over for a fitting to refine the shape around the neck and arms. The skirt was one large rectangle draped into pleats at the front and joined at an angle at the back allowing the skirt to flare out more and create a little train.

Long line underbust Corset

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on February 27, 2017

27 Feb

After years of making boned dresses I finally had an opportunity to try my hand at the more technical world of corsetry. (Secretly I was always looking for an excuse)

This corset was made with 2 pieces of plastic boning per seam. The pattern doesn’t allow for a strong cinch at the waist so steel would have been wasted. The fabric is a print by Catherine Martin, with its reference to Lyrebird tail feathers I had to have it even though I had no idea how I was going to match the print at the seams. The binding, flossing and lacing offer a little contrast but are still tonal with the main print fabric.

An enormous thank you to Meg on who these patterns are based. For all your patience from the first draft to the final posing.

Coloured veil

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on January 5, 2015

05 Jan

Here is a little collection of coloured veils. A bright coloured veil offers a wonderful contrast against a white dress. Use the same colour highlights throughout your bridesmaids flowers and invites to tie the whole look together. These images use mostly russian or birdcage veiling but colours can also be found in bridal tulle for a more traditional style.

Bridesmaid Brights

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on December 21, 2014

21 Dec

A rainbow of bridesmaids in informal little party dresses.

Illusion waist

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on November 19, 2014

19 Nov

A trick of the eye, panel lines and colours carefully selected to slim down a waist. The ladies of the 50’s had it right (their smoking and now banned diet pills helped too….)

Swiss dot Tulle, I love you too

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on November 18, 2014

18 Nov

I recently posted about how wonderful tulle is and if you didnt think it could get any better I still have 2 more posts to go.

Swiss dot tulle is a soft fine mesh speckled with tiny little embroidered dots. It can be softer than usual bridal tulle so used for more simple shapes where the dots are the main feature of the dress.

It also makes wonderful veils. Shown above a swiss dot tulle veil as the centreipeic of a wedding day, the dress a simple strapelss sheath. Below a stunning veil of swiss dot tulle edged with a cobweb of chantilly lace.

A simpla asymmetric dress with layers of swiss dot tulle left raw edged.

The dots have a cuteness to them that lends itself well to 50’s style tea length dresses.

I have seen swiss dot tulle in fabric shops I have visited as well as the fine cotton voile version which is just as lovely.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on November 6, 2014

06 Nov

Merimbula does Oaks day in style. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is the annual fashion event bringing spring racing to the south coast.

It was exactly the kind of race day even that I love, hats and fascinators everywhere, day time champagne, a chair for everyone and no time wasted watching horses.

I had the pleasure of being involved in the production of the garments that were included in the parade. The whole collection was shaped around the stunning fabric sourced from Indigenous textile designers in the Northern Territory.

Spending most of my time backstage I don’t have as many photos as I would like so here is just a little peak of the amazing day.

For more photos and some videos head to the Merimbula news weekly.