Who uses veils anyway?

Well, I'm hoping the answer is brides because this week I have been making veils & other delicious headpieces & millinery for the Complete Weddings Hollywood Glamour shoot.

It was like L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival all over again, except everything I made had to be different & from beautiful materials, as this was the real deal, not just a walk down the catwalk.

After a whirlwind trip to Clegs & Maria's Beads (formerly Maria George ), I spent Monday at school in Wizard of Oz land. It's really coming together beautifully, but it's so soon!

The rest of the week was spent with my head down in my studio designing & creating lovely headwear for the shoot on Thursday. It was at the Italianate Villa Quat Quatta in Ripponlea.

So here are my beauties.

And better yet most are available in my Etsy store, made to order in just a couple of weeks.

Adelaide Blusher with Diamante comb

 Minnie Silk Organza Headband

 One of a kind Juliette Vintage Beaded lace Fascinator

Sylvia Metallic Lace Bandeau

I cannot wait to see the results in the magazine come October.

And what's more, they asked to keep everything until after their shoot in Daylesford next week.

Then I have some more pieces to put together for the Prima Ballerina shoot mid June.

They are all designed, so I'll worry about making them next week.

Let's try that again.

It's been a while. Again!
I don't quite have the hang of regular blogging yet.

One of the reasons for the extreme absence was Beauty & the Beast kind of took over my life temporarily.
It was such an amazing journey. I was working on my list of costumes single handed until the two weeks before opening, when I final got the assistance of a couple of spare sewers. It's one of those shows that you just wish you were performing more than just 5 shows, due to the amount of effort.

Castle object motif fabric

Plate girl sample

Mrs Potts Teapot skirt

Mrs Potts Spout & handle

the teacup & milk jug travelling home on the train.

• Bells's 3 outfits
• The Beast body - which it turned out I was allergic to.
• The tea set including Mrs Potts, Chip, the Jug & the sugar bowl
• Cogsworth
• Babette's accessories
• Madame skirt & accessories 

Belle's blue bodice & skirt & blouse

Belle's Gold Dress

Beast body in progress

Babette's Collar & feather epaulets

Madame de la Grand Wardrobe skirt

Eyebrow decorations

Hat decoration

But I'm back, hopefully more committed to the blogginess & I've just entered my wedding dress into the Craftsy Wedding project competion.

It would be great if you could pop over there & vote for me.

December Wedding Dress

Vintage Bikini mark II

1950's beach babes

I've been researching Vintage swimwear a bit more & trying to find some examples of what I could try in cotton fabric. It seems like the high waist is still going to be popular in the coming year & I really like the idea of  recreating those no stretch styles of the 1950's & 60's. After all there are so many girls who go to the beach or pool to be seen in something fashionable & not swim. I guess I also want them to be functional.

My search came up with some fab screen sirens in publicity shoots, as well as great bathing beauties of the time

Betty Grable

Carol Landis: So in love with this set. I think I'll try it next.

Janet Leigh

Grace Kelly

Ava Gardner

Ruching & skirts are super cute & perfect for someone who might want to distract from a touch of cellulite.

The gorgeous Norma Jean aka Marilyn Monroe

I love the frilled trim & skirt on this early Marilyn Two Piece below

The redrafted top didn't quite work as planned with the straps, so back to the drawing board I went. I tried a couple of different styles and finally came up with one I was happy with. It has great shape & sufficient support for a 10D. 

Now I just have to work out how to grade the sizing for different cup sizes.

However I have discovered this amazing website called Pattern School, a fabulous resource for drafting & making all manner of leotards, swimwear & lingerie. I just have to sit down & wade through the formulas & diagrams.

The pants were less problematic with the insertion of three lycra panels, but I'm not sure about the V in the back. I'm still having my usual issues with getting my elastic inserted just right, but these don't look too bad & they are super comfy. I guess I should do a water test to see how they react when wet.

Excuse my lily white skin.

So the learning curve continues. 

Bottoms Up

Yesterday after faffing about for most of the day with Pinterest & Etsy I was finally inspired by a gorgeous retro bathing suit on Antique Dress that was aptly made by Plain Jane. 

So at about 4pm I started perusing the swimsuit patterns I have amassed over the years & choose a design & some curtain fabric from the Frankston stash to start drafting something fabulous for EmpirerooM.

         

And this is what I came up with.

Being very careful not to snaffle any insider info from Hopeless Lingerie, who I sewed for a few years ago, I went with cotton. 

After the first baggy bottom version I did some tucking & darting & added several lycra panels, thus eliminating the need for waist elastic & the sand catcher in the backside. I'm quite pleased with draft number one.

Today I've redrafted the bra top adding a strap into the design instead of having a seam above the bust cup &making a more flattering neck line. This I did while watching Harry Potter & the Philosophers Stone with my sister.
I've also been working on a garter belt to match if this decides it wants to be lingerie rather than swimwear. At this point I think it could go either way, if there's enough bust support. Maybe a layer of padding would help. Mmmmmm?
Now to the machine to stitch it all back together & see if it works. Wish me luck.