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.

Velvet, lace and chiffon

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on June 1, 2015

01 Jun

Here are some photos of a lovely dress I made. A simple shape but made from gorgeous navy and black lace.

The skirt was made from Poly chiffon that I can source from a wholesale supplier. The quality is amazing, better than what I have seen at retail.

Bridal show – Kingfisher dress

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on May 18, 2015

18 May

When I first saw this print I was in love, I don’t think I even realised it was birds, It was the colours that grabbed me. It is a fine cotton and for the bridal show I was really interested to use some unusual fabrics and being cotton and a print it was the perfect choice.

The scallop back was inspired by a dress from the 20’s. The scallops are worked into the pattern and each one edged with white silk bias binding. The band around the neck is a curved piece the top of all the scallops are caught into.

For the show the dress was styled with a basic birdcage veil and lovely pink and orange flowers. All the flowers were made by Jill at The little Bouquet in Merimbula.

This dress I am happy to sell, it is wasted sitting in my closet. It is approximately a size 12 and quite long but can be altered to a 10 and shortened. There is also a tulle underskirt that can be either removed or added to depending on what your plans for the dress are. The price is $300.

Bridal show – Sequin bridesmaids

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on May 17, 2015

17 May

I can’t thank enough the models who helped out with the bridal show. Our 3 lovely bridesmaids in matching sequins were such a wonderful addition to the event.

I am going to gush about this fabric for a moment. I have worked with these small sequins before and never tire of them. The sequins are sewn onto a stretch base making these dresses quite quick and simple to make. The fabric itself isn’t cheap (unless you want black) but with the reduced time they take to make can actually work out to be an economical choice. Not just for bridesmaids as I have seen these sequins in a bridal pearly white, silver and soft rosey gold. The dresses are also indestructible and need no ironing, perfect for a destination wedding. I carried these 3 black dresses to the expo in a woolies bag.

Hair for the show was all done by the team at Trendsetter hair. Makeup by Lisa Garner.

Tulle, you are the queen of ruffles

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on December 6, 2014

06 Dec

The final way that tulle excells is by making the most amazing ruffles. No need to hem the edge leaves them light and frothy.

Cute ruffles below and also a lovely sleeve.

A wonderful technique using the ruffles vertically, narrower at the top edge and fuller at the hem.

Tulle wont hold a permanent pleat like some synthetic fabrics will but they can be put through the machine and will pleat beautifully if you only want to wear them once

I don’t love the below dress but I do quite like the idea. Ruffles of tulle used between placed lace to give softness and texture. The ruffles on the dress below I think are a little too long but it is still very inspiring.

This dress is not made of tulle but a skirt of cascading ruffles like this could be made easily. This skirt is so effective because the lines of the ruffles don’t follow the usual direction around the skirt.

Simple but effective rows of tulle ruffles on a separate skirt.

The rest of my obsession with tulle here and here

Spots

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on December 4, 2014

04 Dec

The ladies of the 50’s really did have style skills that have been almost lost to us now. One of these was their ability to wear polka dots. That perhaps isn’t entierly true as there are below some lovely modern brides re-interpreting the spot.

Large and small dots together. They look great in black and white but I wonder what colour they were?

A fine spot in a chiffon fishtail dress.

Another cascade of spots in chiffon. A little contrast added through a fine black lace trim on the hem. I would love to see the front, Is the strip around her shoulders a shawl or large collar?

A wonderful way to wear spots, A maxi skirt with a contrast top to break up the pattern.

I love this spotty tulle over the contrast lining.

Incredibly stylish spots from Valentino. Perfectly matched shoes as well.

Shibori wonderland

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on November 22, 2014

22 Nov

Tie dye has been reborn. The Japanese art of Shibori with its fine crinkles and deep Indigo is far more sophisticated than the tie dye of school craft and hippy music festivals.

The dress below and above are amazing examples of dyeing techniques used on a finished dress to create complex details. I think the thing that appeals to me the most is the danger involved at the moment when you take the lovely silk dress and place it in the dye, hoping for the best.

These dresses are made using a dye technique applied to the fabric before making. Less risky but still lovely.

I wish it was my year 12 formal again.

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on November 10, 2014

10 Nov

This Eli Saab dress would be my inspiration, perhaps more sheer panels in the skirt and in an amazing cobalt blue.

Mismatched bridesmaids

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on July 5, 2014

05 Jul

Mismatched bridesmaids are very hot right now. This wedding nailed the look with a very easy technique. The bridesmaids were allowed to wear whatever they wanted. The only restriction being that they were floor length. Each bridesmaid choose her shape and fabric and worked with me to make her dress.

This wedding party may also be the only one I have seen for a long time where the tresses can truly be worn again.

Navy sequin bridesmaid dress

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on July 1, 2014

01 Jul

The perfect example of where a simple shape made in amazing fabric makes a gorgeous dress.

This fabric has some stretch in it so I was able to make this dress in the 3 days before the wedding. No complex darts were required and I was able to make all the amendments to the dress when the bridesmaid arrived from overseas.

Links to the rest of this gorgeous wedding