Beckiejo's Kelly Green dress for Miss Pinup Victoria

Beckiejo presented me with a beautiful pair of emerald green shoes and asked me to design a dress around them.

She wanted something that could be worn with or without a petticoat/underskirt and something 'classic'.

I decided early on that I wanted to use a medium to heavyweight stretch satin and 10 colour samples were sent to Beckiejo.

Kelly Green was decided on (although my terrible iPhone photos do not reflect the true colour of the dress) and a toile was made in calico.

I used a darted boat neck bodice that had a high neckline - front & back, but as you will notice if you scroll down to the next blog post, I liked the 'v' in the back of Sheena's wedding dress and modified Beckiejo's design for the final toile.

The fabric is 97% Polyester/3% Spandex Satin and a dream to sew. I was nervous about sewing a full circle skirt in this fabric but it was not difficult at all.

I did not line this dress, which is uncharacteristic for me, but used a neck and armhole facing. I finished off the dress with a handmade belt with diamonte vintage style buckle.

Beckiejo was Miss Va Va Voom Victoria and Miss Classic Pinup Runner Up at the 2010 Miss Pinup Australia competition and handed her 'titles' to this year's winners.

Photo credit for photo of Beckiejo wearing her Miss Pinup sashes: Lizey Weber

Sheena and Gary's wedding

Sheena (pictured above with her lovely mother and father) gave me a photo of a wedding dress idea she had and we started the design process approximately 6 months before her wedding day, which was on Saturday the 19th of November 2011.

We started off with a tea length dress that had princess seams in the bodice, with a boat neckline and a full circle skirt.

The fabric we chose was polyester shantung in cream with cream coloured viscose lining.

At Sheena's second appointment (the one where I take her measurements), I asked her to try a toile on I had ready for another client and she fell in love with the style.

We changed the bodice design lines from princess seams to bust and waist darts, and added a just below the knee length full circle skirt.

At out next fitting, we chatted with her bridesmaid Leia about the skirt, as we were not "100%" about the full circle skirt. We looked at a few of my other dress images online and decided on an a-line skirt with a flat front and back, gathered at the sides.

We cut a small 'v' into the centre back and settled on the final design. I finished off the dress with a exquisite beaded bridal quality braid from Clegs, hand-sewn around the waitsline.

Sheena's 5 bridesmaids wore my 'Vanessa' style dress in black cotton sateen, half lined in viscose lining with a red 1 1/2 inch wide fabric covered belt.

I am far too excited to wait for Sheena and Gary's professional photos, so I am using photos that Sheena has given me permission to use via Facebook.

I would like to thank Sheena, Gary, Finn, Kristy, Leia, Ash, Erin and Kylie for making me a part of their special day.

It may have rained all day on Saturday, but from the photos I have seen so far, the sun shone brightly throughout their whole wedding. x

Photo credit: Kristy Nicholl and Alicia Fussell

Little T's Raindrop dress

I made this cute dress using American craft cotton from Clegs (or was it Japanese?!), a vintage sewing pattern and finished it with a yellow velvet bow.

The back has an invisible zip and the neck hole is faced.

Little T loved her dress and would'nt stop twirling around in it, hence the blurry photo.

When Twiglet met Ink & Spindle

Dana Leviston from Twiglet has joined forces with Lara Cameron & Tegan Rose from Ink & Spindle to create childrenswear label, Inklet.

Using organic cotton that is designed and screen printed here in Kensington, Vicroria, the trio create beautiful pieces of baby and childrenswear, as well as cosy blankets/wraps that are made locally, using ethical production.

You can buy Inklet online here and it is also available in some stores (please drop the ladies an email for current stockists).

'Like' Inklet on Facebook.

*Photos by Rebekah Lyn Photography and are not to be used without permission.

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween and I love this desktop image by Candice DeVille who is a part of Some Fancy Ladies.

You can download your own copy here of this stunning image from Candice's blog, Super Kawaii Mama.

*Image copyright Candice DeVille and Some Fancy Ladies

Are you in Melbourne and need to get your home/office Sorted? Read on about a free pass to an organised you!

Ooh! Breaking News! Lissanne Oliver from SORTED! organising & decluttering has given me 2 single passes (valued at $499 each) to giveaway to my blog readersfor the 6 Steps Workshop she is a speaker at TOMORROW (Melbourne).

Be one of the first 2 people to email Lissanne at lissanne@sorted.net.au for your chance to win!!

Lissanne has organised both my home (not this one!) and my studio and I highly recommend her and her colleagues.

Link to tomorrow's 6 Steps event here.

Black 'Frankie' top - PRESALE

I have had many written requests to make another run of plain black 'Frankie' tops (pictured).

As retail has been a little quiet in Australia, I am being careful about how many garments I make, so I am going to offer this top on a presale basis.

If I don't get enough orders (there is a minimum quantity of this fabric that I can buy from my supplier), your order will be refunded within the next two weeks.

Date preorder starts: 6th September 2011

Orders close: Tuesday the 20th of September, 2011 at 12pm

You can pre-order the top from here.