Wedding Dress

This summer I was commissioned to create a wedding dress. Working with the bride, I designed the dress and developed the pattern, working from two existing patterns which I altered significantly. The dress is made from heavy satin with a lace overlay. The bodice is lined and features a sunburst of hand-sewn pleats. The short train can be bustled with a simple hook and eye system.

The finished dress.

A side view.

Bodice detail.

Regency Dress

I made this dress two years ago, from Simplicity Pattern #4055 with slight alterations (I raised the neckline and left off the overlay). It is sewn from cotton calico, and the fabric color and pattern were not chosen for period correctness; it was intended to be a Regency-inspired summer dress, not a historical replica.

Bodice front detail

Bodice back detail

Elegance

I sewed this dress when I was 15. It is made from a very light, silky fabric, which made the princess seams tricky until I learned to manage it.

I found this fabric on clearance, and decided to make a skirt. I used a pattern my sister had, and altered it to my size.  I sewed it entirely by hand

This dress was one of my most recent projects. I used Vogue patter #8020, but altered the skirt length and the neckline and added a pocket.

Scottish Outfit

This outfit was made in two stages. The shirt I sewed while I was in high school, from Simplicity Pattern #3623. The skirt I made several years later, designing the pattern myself (it is a simple pleated rectangle) and sewing it by hand (even the invisible zipper).

Sundry Small Projects

These are some of the smaller projects I have done. More pictures will be added in time!

A small throw pillow made of remnants

A scarf I designed, sewed, embroidered and beaded.

Detail view of the embroidery and beaded edge.

Natural Dyes

One thing I enjoy doing is experimenting with natural dyes. These skeins of wool yarn are from my most successful experiments; mordant-less dye baths of oak and willow leaves, as the labels proclaim.

Adventures with Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

In the spring of 2011 I co-directed a production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Part of directing is establishing the production's artistic vision, which includes costumes. Because I have always been heavily involved in costuming for Shakespeare Players, this was one of my favorite parts of planning: portraying character and relationships through style and color. This is always somewhat inhibited by the limited collection of costumes in the club's collection. It is neither practical nor possible to create a complete wardrobe for each production, and so although a few new costumes are made each semester, the majority are reused. Even within these constraints (some costumes simply do not fit the actors I wish they would) costuming remains fun.

We made new costumes for Falstaff, Mistress Page, Anne Page, and Fenton. As well as collaborating on design and fabric choices for all of these, I also sewed the outfit for Mistress Page.

The full cast

Falstaff

Anne Page and Fenton

Mistress Page

 

 

A full length shot