Bridal show – Taffeta Mermaid

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on January 28, 2016

28 Jan

For the first time in a long time I am back adding to my blog. I did just have a baby and move house and I am sticking to that excuse.

I have a few more dresses from the Weddings coast style 2015 which I haven’t added and I am going to put that to right straight away.

This dress was a chance for me to experiment. I planned the shape and knew I wanted ruffles at the hem but had no set idea about how I wanted to do them. This gave me a chance to do a lot of experiments. In the end a mix of tulle and taffeta frills and rosettes was the winner.

Bridal show – Crochet and cotton

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on June 30, 2015

30 Jun

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.

Bridal show – 30’s Bias dress and veil

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on June 13, 2015

13 Jun

This dress was a challenge, The model who was planning to wear it had to pull out close to the date, I was so lucky that the beautiful model below was willing to help out a stranger and fit the dress to perfection.

The dress is made in a heavyweight polyester satin. It has a bias cut halter bodice which I closed with pearl buttons. The skirt is not exactly a bias cut but falls like one, I draped the skirt from one whole piece so the grain isn’t straight down the front but it isn’t exactly 45 degrees either. When the skirt was closed the last of the fabric was allowed to drape at the back as an asymmetric train.

Here are the details of the veil, some close up pictures and construction comments.

Bridal show – Meg’s dress gets another outing.

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on June 11, 2015

11 Jun

I made this dress for my sister and it was perfect for her beach house wedding. It was great to see it out of its bag one more time.

The dress is made in a heavy weight silk satin. It is a simple shape with a deep neckline and super cute pockets hidden in deep pleats through the side.

We styles the dress with a simple veil and no flowers so she could show off the pockets.

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.

A simple little Veil

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on May 17, 2015

17 May

Along with the dresses used in the Bridal show I also made a few veils. This simple veil was made to complement a simple silk dress. The veil was designed to fall to the back with no allowance made for it to go over the face. The veil was attached to a small comb and the comb edge covered in a grosgrain ribbon.

This is the perfect veil for when you are planning flowers in your hair. It weighs almost nothing so can be tucked in under your floral comb without complicating the whole look.

Making a veil like this is a simple process. With a cheaper tulle it is possible to make a test run before the good tulle is cut. This means that you don’t even need to know exactly what you want, we can stand in front of the mirror and play.

Weddings coast style – Wedding Expo 3rd May 2015 Merimbula

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on February 3, 2015

03 Feb

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)