From cutting out a bodice section to sewing on scallop edging onto silk tulle...the life of a dressmaker!

It's been all about precision in the studio this week. Pattern grading & perfect layers.

I love a challenge, so when my bride Katherine (right) presented me with her mother's wedding dress (left) and asked if I could use it in anyway, I jumped at the chance!
I carefully unpicked all the lace and re used it within the bodice and train. I also managed to unpick the sleeves (in one piece) and re-set them into her dress, with a few style changes along the way! Katherine's dress had extra meaning to something old and something new, we were all rather pleased with the results, especially the Mother! 

As I was flicking through my sketch books recently, I thought it might be nice to share with you some designs from previous commissions in the early stages, coupled with photos of the finished dress; to illustrate the thought process. The photos on the left relate to the dresses on the right... shown in all their glory on 'the big day'!