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A couple fixer uppers for Courtney!
My friend found this purple and white houndstooth dress was too big all over, so I took it in on the sides, back, sleeves, and darts. And I hemmed it. It’s so much more flattering now! As a finishing touch I added the button detail on the pocket, just to spice things up. Look how perfectly the button pattern mimics the fabric. Houndstooth looks so smart, and certainly suits Courtney. Good luck on your crazy intense Master’s program, lady!
The corduroy sundress needed a new closure in the front because the zipper didn’t work. I put a black velveteen panel behind the opening and fashioned buttonholes along the edges so she could lace it up. I took the matching tie from the side seams. Once the dress lost its belt around the middle it lost some shape, so I pinched and sewed some pleats in the side at the waist. I only added a small piece of fabric, the rest is simply rearranging the existing material.
Just like the first law of thermodynamics….
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I had unanticipated the demand for this service, and I have to announce that I’ll be taking a break from custom work for a while. As of late, the largest portion of my work has been custom made formal wear dresses. While I do enjoy creating something specific for a client, I feel like there is so much more that I want to be doing. I’d like to do more reworking of unusable garments, refurbishing damaged vintage clothes, and finding creative uses for my scraps and findings. An important part of my work philosophy is environmental consideration, and it feels like I’ve only been working with newly bought fabric (while creating more scrap pieces)!
So, I regret to inform everyone that I won’t be taking on any new clients for custom pieces until further notice. It is something that I will return to when I have more time / when my kids are a little older.
Please DO contact me if you need work done to modify or rework an EXISTING garment. I will also be working on my personal collection to post for sale. Keep an eye on the website for updates, pictures, and details!
Thanks for visiting APe designs, please come again. (or even better, subscribe to get notified of new posts!)
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Here are a few more pieces I made for Susan’s wardrobe… They are meant to be worn as separates, although I dare you, Susan, to wear the turquoise top with the yellow print skirt in public. The red ties it all in, right? What a collision of colour!
Black and white print skirt with godets, worn with the madeline shirt I have already posted. This printed satin was acquired when I took a trip to Texas a while back. Texan textile souvenirs.
Turquoise satin top with appliqued chiffon cutout. This was an incredible labour of love. Originally, the applique was destined to be on the front neckline, but somewhere along the way the back cutout detail demanded all the attention. The sheer red fabric was attached by two runs of hand stitching so I could better control the shifty chiffon fabric. The floral applique was then attached using tear away paper keeping the base fabric smooth. I love how it turned out, I love the colours turquoise and red together, and I love the sneaky upside down back zipper.
The yellow floral skirt is a sheer print over black lining, it’s cut on the bias, and has a slit on one side. I used my serger to do a rolled hem on both layers, so it gives them a nice wavy edge. (She’s wearing tights so you can’t see it as well.) Susan’s comment when she tried it on was something like “I don’t think a cuter skirt has ever been worn.” 
Cute indeed! Once again, excellent fabric makes excellent clothes.
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Here are some pictures of Lisa’s wedding dress, courtesy of my favourite Winnipeg photographer Gabrielle Touchette!
The original was a champagne coloured Italian lace dress belonging to Lisa’s Nana, who, by the sounds of it, had lots of beautiful party dresses. I kept the shape of the straight skirt, but changed the style of the bodice. The old dress had a high jewel neckline and cap sleeves, and didn’t fit Lisa properly. She wanted a halter style, so I cut the top off and used the cap sleeves as the sweetheart neckline, preserving the pretty scalloped edge. There was a sheer scarf that went with the dress which I used as the halter strap. The colours of her wedding were that of a peacock feather, so Lisa wanted some touches of dark turquoise added. I love the contrast this satin adds, and I especially like how the scalloped hem is more noticeable against the dark turquoise.
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Ah! Here are some professional shots of Jillian’s wedding, courtesy of Kate Wilson Photography in Winnipeg. Jillian graciously sent me these shots to better show off the dress in action. I love how it shows off the bustle, and the shots against the patterned wall. These are definitely better than the pictures I took!
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When people contact me to sew for them, it’s usually for a special occasion, a garment that won’t get a lot of wear. This is fine, the clothes turn out beautiful and everyone is happy. But lately, I have been trying to focus on sewing more casual pieces that will get more wearing action. When I make something, I want people to see it! It makes me sad when clothes sit in a closet, unused, maybe unloved…
Susan contacted me because she has an impossible time finding any clothes that fit her properly, nevermind clothes that have any interesting design. We have been working on building up her wardrobe with fun pieces she feels good in. She’s also a professional singer, so she needs some interesting pieces to wear under hot stage lights.
I have been sewing for my friend Courtney almost as long as I’ve been sewing for myself. These most recent skirts were whipped up specially for her week away at a meditation retreat. They are comfortable and versatile, but certainly not boring!
More to come from these two lovely ladies….
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In classic Andrea fashion, I only documented one of three wedding dresses I made this year. I always seem to remember the camera as soon as the client has left.
The one shown here was inspired by the colours of Jillian’s grandma’s cameo. She wanted a vintage style and slim close-fitting silhouette. The fishtail ruffles in the back have slits so the satin peeks through when she walks. This is a beautiful lace with metallic threads woven in, and it’s lined with ivory satin. The wraparound belt ties it all together bringing in the cameo colours.
There were two other wedding dresses I made this year. The first was for Lisa, who had her nana’s vintage lace party dress remade into something more flattering and fitting. I also added some deep teal satin accents to the original champagne lace. The second dress was for Katryna, who needed a maternity dress. It was a pretty simple design, empire waist, V-neck, but the winning feature was the braided fabric belt, and the smaller braid that trimmed the neckline. I braided white satin, purple satin and white chiffon together to make the prettiest little detail. I think it really suited her, since she wasn’t into frilly laces and ruffles.
Too bad about my lack of pictures.
All the brides were beautiful and custom dressed!
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1st picture-in crates: sheer draperies, tulle and netting, lightweight polyester prints, and synthetic suiting. The bins hold fancy fabrics such as satins, silks, lace, chiffon, organza, and brocades.
2nd picture-This cupboard is filled with natural fibre knit fabrics. The bin on top contains fake fur.
3rd picture-This cupboard is filled mostly with synthetic fibre knit fabrics and cotton solids and prints on the bottom shelf. The bin on top contains fancy cottons, like embroidered, border prints, and batiste solids and prints. The crates beside the cupboard (that you can’t really see) hold corduroy solids and prints, textured cottons, yarn dyed plaids, stretch shirting and twills, and broadcloth.
4th picture-These bins hold flannelette solids and prints, lining fabric, denim, heavy weight twills, medium weight twills, stretch twills, and some clothes that need to be reworked.
5th picture-My man dummy is in the way of the crates, but they hold more polyester prints, solids and suiting. Boxes of scrap fabric on top. Bins piled high, full of melton cloth, heavy wool coat fabric, wool suiting, tweeds, upholstery, and fleece.
I forgot to take pictures of the other side of the hallway, but I’m sure no one cares, it’s just more fabric and clothes. As I read over this post, I don’t know who else would find this interesting.
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