Best Costume Awards- 2011

Alice Dress for "Alice" - Large Group Contemporary

Medieval Princess Dress in "Happily Ever After" - Musical Theatre Solo

Rose Petal Bustier in "Strawberry Fields" - Ballet Solo

Steampunk and Gothic Dresses in "Sober" - Contemporary/Pointe Group Dance

"Sober" girls and I with our Best Costume Trophies

Dance Costumes

The last few weeks have been a blur of satin and tulle while I've completed several costumes for a competitive dance team. This is a quick peek...there will be more photos to come!

Beautiful Summer Wedding

A Summer 2010 wedding in Estes Park, CO that

I had the privilege of doing alterations for. Included hemming all 5 gowns,

fitting alterations and the wedding gown bustle.

Christening Gown

May 7, 2010: This heirloom christening gown and matching bonnet were made from a 1940's era wedding gown that belonged to the baby's great aunt. I used the original skirt and maintained the piping at the waistline. The wedding gown had covered buttons and loops down the back and I was able to re-use the loops but had to cover new buttons as the original ones had rusted. The back of the christening gown features these buttons and loops over a velcro placket because, afterall, who wants to hook 18 buttons while holding a baby??

Sew Pleasing

When sewing for a wedding party, it is my task to try to fit and accomodate as many body types and circumstances as possible. In this large 2009 fall wedding there were several challenges to meet. One bridesmaid had a baby just a week before the wedding so her alterations needed to wait until the last minute. In her situation, we added a chiffon, pleated sleeve to the originally strapless gown to give more coverage and support. I used a matching shawl that came with the gown to fashion the sleeves. Another bridesmaid had a surgical scar that she wanted to cover on her chest. I used the chiffon that was cut from the hem to make a halter-style strap that covered her scar as it wrapped behind her neck. The mother of the bride had a gown that beautifully coordinated with the wedding party but she was unhappy with the extreme fullness of its skirt. I removed three layers of netting from the underskirt and made a few adjustments to create a more elegant, straighter skirt on the gown.
This wedding is a great example of how a few alterations and adjustments can be used to create a happy and coordinated wedding party!

Black Beauty

Gorgeous black horse show jacket...this photo shows collar detail.

Jacket back: I cut the fabric so the interlocking circle designs and paisleys would form a symmetrical pattern.


Cuff detail features a gorgeous antique button. I cut the French cuff so that the paisley would be visible on the outside of the finished sleeve.

Front view again mirrors the symmetry of the paisley and circle design. The jacket is accented with Swarvoski rhinestones in Crystal and Colorado Topaz.

A Little More Horse Show Bling!

In the beginning - before there were sleeves.

Swarvoski crystals being added - the color is "Colorado Topaz".




I like how this is turning out - almost looks like a beautiful piece of jewelry
or maybe a butterfly!