Pinned together

Katy's dress is now finally taking shape. The back sections still need to be done, but I could not resist pinning the bodice and front skirt panels together to see how it will look. Next I will finish the bodice and set in the sleeves, make a sweetheart neckline in turquoise embroidery and think about the cape. It should be finished before next week when our school is having our annual Open feis.

Main embroidery done

I still need to add the ruffle on the skirt panels and also attach some sequins and organza flowers. Then these panels are ready to be stiffened. I am waiting to receive the lining fabric from Whitelodge. It was sent last week so I am sure it will arrive either today or tomorrow. Once the skirt is in this stage it does not alter much in appearance (as only stiffener is added), but when the (shaped) pleats are put in it will again be quite a difference!

***
Well, whadd'ya know??...as I am writing this post the package from Whitelodge with the lining fabric was delivered! :-) Talk about nice timing!

Black feis results!

I had a great time dancing at the black feis in Killarney. It was really nice, but also kindof weird to see everyone so similarly dressed. I loved the straight hair that some of the girls had and I myself showed off my naturally curly hair :-) I danced the best I could and finally got second-last by one point. I don't think I could have done any better than I did. I really gave it all, made no mistakes and tried to enjoy myself and smile on stage....and the smile on the picture says it all: I had a great feis!

Ready to be embroidered

The applique is fixed onto the panels and I am ready to start the embroidery on this dress. The blue pleats will have a ruffled edge on the top sides. This morning I have ruffled all the yellow organza needed for this (who said dressmakers had the day off on sunday? :-) The hemline will be shaped, which means the pleats will not be able to move around. You cannot really see the blue flowers in the picture as it is taken with poor lighting, but they are really shiny turquoise. Once the embroidery has started they will pop out of the background due to the contrasting color.

The pleating has started...

So I am well away on working on Katy's dress. I am currently pleating the fabric that will be on her skirt panels and sleeves. I have constructed a little "perfect pleater" to help me accomplish the task of setting all these pleats! It works really well :-)

After Katy's dress there are 4 more dresses to be finished, which means I am fully booked until January 2008.

***UPDATE***
Please note that the Ready-to-wear dress is rescheduled to be finished in DECEMBER, after I have completed all the rush-orders for the Oireachtasi in november.

Gaelic Games a.k.a. "black feis"

This weekend I will travel to Killarney to participate in the Gaelic Games feis!

The rules are: no dresses, no stiffener, no embroidery, no glitter... Only simple black skirts and tops or simple black dresses are allowed.
So, here is my outfit :-) Of course, I'll be wearing some tights to cover my ghostly white legs...

Please note that I will not be able to answer any emails with questions or requests from thursday 27th of sept to monday 1st of october.

Congratulations!

Congratulations for Teresa on getting a first place at the Bonn Feis. Very well done!

Katy's dress

The next dress to be is going to be for Katy. The base fabric is a lovely sequinned petrol taft. The design has some lovely flowers on it that I really like. It will be a standard 3 panel dress with some pleated and ruffled details.

Next up is the cutting of the skirt applique and embroidery.

Booked full until december

Josef Mánes's The Dressmaker, The National Gallery of Prague



Due to the amount of custom rush-orders for the O's I am now fully booked until december 2007. Custom orders will be accepted for delivery in january 2008.

The Ready-to-wear dress will be pushed aside during the fulfillment of all my custom orders and completion will be have to be rescheduled to december.

Any updates will of course be placed on this blog.

OTR sold - For Danielle.

The embroidery on the front is done now. I am leaning towards a gold holographic lame from Whitelodge for the lining. The panels are not stiffened yet.
I forgot to mention before that the design is an exclusive and will not be repeated.


***Update26 oct***

This dress is now sold and will be for Danielle!