Once Upon A Costume

Good news for me, bad news for you

2011-10-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce I am expecting a baby the end of March. Unfortunately this isn't good news for all of my clients and potential customers. I skip by all of the morning sickness and other symptoms in the beginning of pregnancy but I get hit by Pregnancy Induced Hypertension in the latter half of my pregnancies.

I have been placed on bed rest with 2 of my 3 girls and I expect to face similar challenges with this baby as well. It was a very hard decision to make but I will not be taking any more orders for the foreseeable future. I will be finishing up the orders I have on my list and then I will be closed for an extended maternity leave.

While I am away from Once Upon A Costume no one has my permission to sell under my name or use my specific designs. I have not decided when I will reopen as I am going to have a huge adjustment getting used to having a baby again, my youngest now is 7. I hope to return to work once the baby is 6 months old, the end of next summer but only time will tell if this is actually going to be realistic.

I am very sorry that I will be unable to help you out with your costumes for now but I need to take care of myself and my family for the next while. I will definitely miss my sewing machine and making all of you look beautiful!!

Thank you for your understanding and I hope be able to sew for all of you again in the future.

The last 3 weeks in reveiw.

2011-09-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

This Rapunzel went out today. It was designed closer to the movie dress so I changed the patterned part to just as a panel as opposed to a whole under skirt. The pink stripes on the sleeves are thinner and the lace is on the slip instead of on the actual skirt (which I think is really super cute)

This was last week's Rapunzel. It was a pretty straight forward dress but it took a back seat to my life for a few days. It only went out a day late and I always appreciate when client's are understanding about my circumstances.

The Arabian Princess went out 2 weeks ago, it's been busy at my house! I'm still looking around for a fancier fabric to use on this outfit. I'm hoping to find a sequined lace overlay that will work. This Arabian Princess was designed to sit high on the waist to cover the belly button.

Fin Mermaid

2011-08-02T13:55:00.000-07:00

Half of this is going to New York, the other half to San Diego.

The Mermaid outfit is the only item I sell in pieces.There are so many shell / fin combinations that are possible that I don't worry about the colors or styles matching or what really worries me, NOT matching!

Cinderella and Beauty

2011-07-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

These two are headed to Texas to join Rapunzel and Snow White.

I think the four of them make a very nice Princess selection to start with.

Snow White and Rapunzel

2011-07-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

Fancy Snow White

was sent with her friend Fancy Rapunzel

to their new home in Texas. This client is new to the Princess business and has also ordered Cinderella and Beauty.What was the best advice you got when you started your business? Which character do you get the most requests for?

Fin Mermaid

2011-05-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

Another Fin Mermaid with a few little changes. She asked that the waist be raised a few inches, she sent the fabric for the skirt, and the starfish is peachy orange.

Squeezing things in.

2011-03-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

I got a phone call last Wednesday from a client in New York who needed a Rapunzel costume, this weekend! Luckily my schedule had an opening, I was using my "free time" to work on costumes for the school play. I fit them in and the dress went out today, overnight to make sure it arrives on time. I used a different set of fabrics on this dress and I even dyed part of them so they would be just what I wanted.

I need to figure out how to use my camera better, or maybe get a better camera! The first picture is with flash, the second without but neither shows just how great it looks in person.

On a sad note I had a client send me a bodice that needed a zipper insert, also for this weekend, and it hasn't arrived. I'm not sure where to begin looking for a lost package and I feel terrible we don't know where it is!

Repurposing special memories

2011-03-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

I had the (sweaty palm, nerve wracking) opportunity to take apart a wedding dress and remake it in a smaller size for my project this week.

I dismantled mine years ago to remake it into a baptism dress for my girls. I also made a blessing and baptism dress for my niece out of my sister in law's wedding dress. Those dresses were "scary" to take apart because that isn't fabric I can replace, but this dress was even more scary to dismantle because I'm not related to the original owner so she doesn't have to like me and her grandmother made her dress. YIKES!!

I already used part of the dress to make a blessing outfit a few years. That was also pretty scary.

This time I used the rest of the dress and made a mini version. I had to make the front of the bodice out of new fabric, and I put in a new zipper but everything else is part of the original dress. Doesn't she look too precious?

Sleeping Beauty

2011-03-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

This project was unique in several ways. First of all the fabric was hand delivered, all the way from the east coast! The client was headed into town and I got to meet her and talk about what she wanted for this costume in person. It was a lot of fun and two of my girls got to see there really are people on the other side of the computer, sometimes I think they wonder.

She brought me this dress, that she really loves, even though I didn't make it ;)

It needed a little TLC and now it looks like this.It also has a new zipper and all of the exposed seams are serged. It was very well made and hopefully the changes will keep it looking great for a few more years.

The fabric she brought was to make another top just like it. I LOVE my local independent fabric store but I'm plotting a trip to Newark to go visit hers, it has some fabulous stuff!

There was also a crown and necklace to go with it.

I had to ask for an extra day on this project, which I hate to do, because my 10 yr old broke her foot! Sometimes life just can't be avoided.

Something amazing for post 100!

2011-03-02T17:56:00.000-08:00

100 posts means, 100 dresses, that's a lot of dresses, I should know, I made them :)

This dress definitely deserves to be #100. It tried my patience which in turn means the client also had to be extra patient, and she was, she's been more patient than I've been!

She asked for a layered over skirt, I think it weighs 10 lbs all by its self. It's beautiful but it took two and a half days to complete, I never imagined it would take that long.

It's also a very large dress, the first 2 boxes I got to send it in weren't big enough!

I can't wait to send it off to where it belongs and see it on the Princess!

A Mermaid and A Mistake

2011-02-23T20:31:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest mermaid in my collection. It is headed to the same place as last weeks mermaid. It is one of the few outfits that really isn't very size adjustable, so she ordered 2.

This one is smaller and shorter and I wasn't able to find the exact same bra, I looked at 3 different Targets and none of them had it. I did find another one with removable straps but it was so well padded I was afraid the girls would be fighting wardrobe malfunctions left and right so I chose a bra that has permanent straps. I went ahead with the project but didn't check with the customer because she had said in an email she wanted the top to be worn with straps. So I figured, no big deal. I sent the email with the pictures to her and when I hadn't heard from her by the next morning I went ahead and sent the dress figuring it was the same as last time, no big deal.

Yesterday afternoon I heard from the client and I found out it was a big deal. I really do try my best to make things uniform but sometimes I can't get the same items. I'm just not a big enough company to order in high volume. I apologized to the customer and agreed that she was right, I should have told her the bra would be different, I just didn't realize it would make such a difference. I also let her know that when it arrives if she totally hates it I will pay for it to be sent back and I will remake the top. This seems to be an okay solution for now, we'll see what happens once it gets to it's destination.

I am just one person and I do make mistakes. I try to fix them as fast as I can and to the best of my ability. I really appreciate the patience and understanding of clients when a problem arises.

Fin Mermaid

2011-02-15T01:22:00.000-08:00

A while back I revamped my Mermaid skirt design, at the request of a client, and it is looks really great. For this project I decided to tackle the shell bra. It has been said in the past that the top looked like a sparkly tube top, and it really kind of did. I did some trial and error and I like how it turned out. It has some dimension to it and that is way better than before!

This is another outfit where the client supplied the fabric, this time just for the tail portion. I used to be able to get sequined stretch from my favorite independent fabric store but she can't get the right color anymore.

Rapunzel

2011-02-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

For this project the client sent the fabric, I love making the vision of my Princesses come to life! In addition to providing her own fabric she asked for different sleeves and metal eyelets down the front.

This princess is off on an adventure this Saturday, so she was shipped Express to New Jersey. Do you know how much express shipping is? I didn't either, but I do now! Yikes!!

Cinderella Remodel

2011-01-31T22:34:00.000-08:00

This bodice predates me! It mas made by my friend the original owner of the company so I'm not totally sure how old it is, more than 4 years old. I changed the satin in the sleeves and replaced the over skirt. It was quite the project and it turned out really cute!

Something a Little Different

2011-01-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

Another top I made 4 years ago is in need of being replaced, I'm sensing a trend here ...

She requested that the dress have no satin on it. She works for charity only and wanted cotton type fabrics. I found the fabrics for the bodice, skirt and collar. She found the fabric for the sleeves and peplum. She also requested the peplum be attached to the bodice, I was uncertain how it would work out but it did, and pretty easily too.

I love the fabric I found for the bodice and can't wait to see it combined with other fabrics in the future.

Makeover time, again!

2011-01-17T21:04:00.000-08:00

Almost exactly 3 years ago I sent this Beauty off and she also came back for a few updates this week as well.

I replaced the sleeves, collar and peplum with pink fancy fabric and I attached the collar to the bodice so it is all one piece.

The peplum is still separate but my project for this coming week wants it to be all one piece so I'm about to figure that out!

Makeover time!

2011-01-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

At the end of June 07 I made a Cinderella and sent it to CA. I hadn't been making dresses on my own for long but I thought I did a good job.

The actress looks fabulous in the dress and it was worn regularly for 3.5 years.

Last week the bodice came back to me for some updates and I was thrilled to see how well it's held up! After a thorough soak and wash (I swear by Tide Stain Release Tabs and OxyClean) I got to making the top smaller, that was one mistake I did make, replacing the trim, sleeves, and over skirt. With the updates the top looks sparkly new and I'm hoping it lasts another 3.5 years!

Princess Beauty

2011-01-11T19:50:00.000-08:00

This Beauty is headed out to New Jersey tomorrow. It was finished a week ahead of time because it was the project I had all the information and pieces for. The next two projects are bodice rebuilds and the bodices haven't quite made it to me yet. They are both on the way now and they will soon be sparkling like new! For now here's another thing that sparkles, the gems on the shoulder swag and head piece are really growing on me.

So what do you think, gems? Or no gems?

More Christmas for my girls

2010-12-23T23:46:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned before my middle daughter is getting a doll for Christmas and I made her a set of clothes. My youngest daughter is getting a set of 15 inch twins, girls, with yellow ponytails, she was very specific. Since I survived the first set of doll clothes, I committed myself to make another set. Things have to be even you know.

As you can see she has matching blankets and 4 sets of outfits. The girl in question LOVES ducks and monkeys. Hopefully she will like the other outfits too. I managed to make all these for just $10, I had most everything on hand. I bought the pattern, on sale, the fleece, remnants, and the Curious George cotton for the sundress, another remnant.

2010's last order!

2010-12-15T17:53:00.000-08:00

It's hard to imagine I've sewn my way through another year.
I hope I've helped all of you look a little bit more beautiful and that next year will be just as beautiful.

A shorter, smaller mermaid tail for the same client who ordered the other one. Unfortunately different heights are still very hard to accommodate for.

The same client has had the WORST luck with her Snow White costume. It's been spilled on by nail polish and all together lost! Here are a few more replacement pieces for her, again and for her sake I hope for the last time!

I hope you all have a happy holiday season and as you can see my calendar for next year is filling up fast!

See you in 2011.

Princess Beauty with some extra pop!

2010-12-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

This little Beauty is a new color. I was a tad bit nervous trying out a new color but I really liked the way it turned out. The client also liked how it turned out - Whew!
She asked it be like the "new design" but full enough to fit over a 5 hoop. I added 2 extra panels and it is pictures here over both of my 3 hoop crinolines in an attempt to show the added fullness. She also requested the shoulder swag be more like another off the shoulder dress I did.

The top was cute but we both thought it needed something.

The Princess asked for gems to be added. That idea had crossed my mind too so I added them and the little bit of bling does great things, even if my camera didn't.

Staying busy - Shhhh it's a surprise!

2010-12-01T22:53:00.000-08:00

My middle daughter is getting an 18 inch doll for Christmas that looks like her. She has wanted one for years and I finally caved in. She went looking on etsy for clothes, she doesn't know for sure she's getting it she's just hoping lots and lots! The dresses she liked are $30 - $40 and after the cost of the doll I just couldn't do it, especially since I can sew. I swore off sewing doll clothes years ago but I had to get over that if I wanted to save some major money! This same daughter of mine has decided when she gets married everyone will wear a different rainbow color and she will wear white and be the cloud at the end. I took that idea and turned it into her doll's new wardrobe. The dresses are pictured on my 18 inch doll, and all of them together cost me $30!

Red is a velvet drop waist dress trimmed in sparkly gold.

Since we live in the desert I thought a sun dress would be perfect for orange, including bloomers.

Yellow is a flannel nightgown with (yellow) rosebuds on it.

Green is a mermaid dress, Ariel is her favorite Princess.

Blue (her favorite color) is a snowflake dress and furry fleece pale blue jacket.

Purple is lavender metallic paisley.

Sheer embroidered overlay on satin.

Rapunzel

2010-11-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

Even though the movie doesn't come out until tomorrow I've already received an order for this adventurous princess!

A full circle double layered skirt and a bodice that laces up the front.

The skirt has a stable waist band that can have multiple hook and eye. The front half is double layered with the under skirt being 2 layers of fabric as well. The split in the skirt is trimmed in sweet sparkly flower trim. This skirt is shown over a slip that can be added for $20. The whole skirt can be 2 layers and alternate trim can be used at an additional cost.

The front of the bodice is double layered and connects into the main piece at the shoulders. The laces really work on the front and the whole top is trimmed in lace and piping. The pink and lavender sparkly sleeves are pieced together and have a lower sleeve of sheer trimmed in matching lace.

A Mermaid Tail

2010-11-17T20:28:00.001-08:00

This mermaid tail nearly got the best of me but I won and it looks great!

There is a poofy slip under the fin portion to make it all stand out.
The fabric for the tail portion was supplied by the customer as I cannot find anything like it in Vegas right now.

Four years???

2010-11-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have been in business for FOUR years! Wow, time sure flies when you're making dresses for the princesses! I have no clue how many dresses I've made but I would guess it's somewhere near 200. Thank you for all of your orders, patience, praise and inspiration.

I hope the next four years are just as beautiful!

Arabian Princess

2010-11-13T14:17:00.000-08:00

I try to improve on my old designs every time I create a costume, keeping what worked last time and trying something new to see if it functions better, lasts longer, or looks better. This Princess is mostly old design with a few elements tweaked.

Green Fairy and replacement pieces

2010-11-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

A sweet Green Fairy with "tiny shorts" as my girls call them.

A few replacement pieces for the same client.

Princess Beauty

2010-10-12T21:52:00.000-07:00

Another version of the Princess Beauty dress is headed to New York tomorrow. The client asked that my yellow version be tweaked to more closely resemble her particular vision. Once it was "done" She had the choice of the big buttons or roses, she chose a combination of the two.

Also upon viewing the pictures she asked that the neckline be slightly different so I changed that as well.

The combination of buttons and roses looks great and it was fun to make yet another version of this dress. This has been my favorite princess since I was 13 and I think this version of the dress is fabulous!!

Ren Faire for Kids

2010-10-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine lives in the Washington DC area. She takes her kids to the Ren Faire every year and I've been itching to make them something to wear for years! She finally decided this year that the cost would be worth it and ordered 2 Robin Hood outfits and one Beautiful Maiden. My fresh from the shower kids are modeling the outfits here but once I get pictures of the actual recipients I will replace the pictures.

The dress was made in 2 pieces. The under skirt snaps on to the bodice/ over skirt so I can remake the under skirt longer for next year. The back also has a separating zipper so an insert can be added in the future. The flowers are removable for washing purposes.

Nothing completes an outfit like accessories!

My 6 yr old was WAY excited to be modeling the Robin Hood outfits, the pants are so short because the actual wearers are 2 1/2, she's kind of tiny.

Double Duty

2010-09-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

I had two fancy fabric Cinderellas to be done for yesterday and I was a little bit nervous if I would get them done. I haven't attempted 2 dresses in one week in a long time but with my kids in school I figured it could happen, and it did, but just barely!

I had several moments of life interrupt me but the dresses look great, they aren't really so silver in person. I tried a new technique on the "poofs" and I think they stand out from the skirt and hold their shape better. Next time I think I will make them a little bit longer, what do you think?

Creating Smiles with Cinderella

2010-09-21T20:05:00.001-07:00

I have a long list of costumes to work on and I'm doing my best to get to all of them as quickly as I can. This dress was actually scheduled in the middle of the list but due to a lack of measurements from one client, she's having medical problems :( and waiting for ordered fabric to come in, this dress was completed first. It's headed to Texas to help children in the hospital smile. It also makes me smile knowing that my work is going to cheer up sick kids. Thanks for letting me help!

Back to Work!

2010-08-20T22:01:00.000-07:00

The summer is coming to a close, the show I worked on was complete a week ago and all 3 of my girls are headed to school full time in 9 days!

I will be emailing clients who were interested in orders at the beginning of the summer in the next week and I'm excited to get back to work.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding, my kids appreciated me taking a break.

The School Play

2010-05-20T21:59:00.000-07:00

While I quit my day job there were some commitments I kept.
Like the school play and a few summer theater projects.

Tonight was the last show and I finally got some pictures! Somehow even though I told Beast to come find me in costume he didn't so I will have to hope someone else got a picture of him.

The Enchantress, she needs something else to make her pop, I need to figure out what.

Cogsworth & Lumiere, he really doesn't wear flip flops. Babette.

Cogsworth, Lumiere & Babette - human again!

Mrs. Potts & Chip

Madame De La Grande Bouche

I was totally happy with how my table settings turned out!

Fork, napkin, plate, spoon & knife - did I get them in the right order?

Plate detail

I made the stencil for the table settings, I couldn't find anything I liked. Lucky for me someone told me how to do it!

The villagers were asked to bring in parts of their costumes. The girls were assigned skirts & shirts. I borrowed some shirts and skirts from a local performing arts school. It was a lifesaver as some of the parents didn't understand the notes sent home the way I hoped they would. I made the corsets with help from a friend and the vests were both purchased and made. The picture below is a borrowed shirt & skirt as well as a girl whose parents could read and brought in a great outfit. The things brought in were altered to be closer to the time period we were going for.

The boys were asked to bring in long sleeved button down shirts and pants that I cut off and put elastic in. Some were left long to mix it up.

Gaston & the Silly Girls. We found his boot covers on ebay. I made his shirt and the girls' tops. He was very convinced that I had made his shirt way to small and too short! I tried to explain to him that actually I had made it to fit him unlike the shirts he usually wears that could probably fit me, no joke. Even today when he handed it in for the last time he let me know it really is a bit small. :)

Gaston making a deal with Monsieur Darque - Kill the Beast!

Narrator 3 & 4. All of the Narrators had a piece of their outfits that matched.
You can see a little bit of Belle, all of Belle's costumes were made by her Grandma.

These costumes will probably be for rent with Huntsman Entertainment.

Taking some personal time

2010-04-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

As you all know I have 3 girls. They are my first priority, that is why I work from home. Lately they have been taking a back seat to work and several other things. My poor girls have been displaying attention seeking behaviors in the last few weeks and they need to be back at the top of the list.

I am finishing the project that is in production right now, but I have chosen to cancel the rest of the projects on my list. I have never had to do this in the past and I did not anticipate being in this situation right now. I realize it is unexpected and inconvenient but this is how it has to be right now.

The deposits on the unfinished projects will be applied to the project in production. They were all for the same client. Had they been for other people they would have been returned in full with my greatest apologies.

My youngest daughter will go to school all day starting the end of August and I will have many more hours to devote to Once Upon A Costume.

I apologize for any inconvenience this causes anyone and I thank you for your understanding.

Catch up

2010-04-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

Pictures of all those things that have been keeping me very busy!

The first version of the ruffle was NOT what the director or I wanted so here is how I fixed it - much better.

Another Frog Princess this client chose a real flower and I made the pointy layer more like the greener dress and I like it better.

A replacement top with a longer bodice.

Dress for an Into the Woods rental available through The Drama Closet

I took my girls to San Fransisco for spring break and I'm headed to Washington State on Thursday for a friend's wedding. I couldn't find anything I liked so I made a skirt to match one of my favorite shirts. It's kind of handy to be able to do that!

I am working on another rendition of the Frog Princess as well!

All Shook Up - Part 2

2010-03-09T23:08:00.001-08:00

For this project I was given a few pictures,

an old 90's HUGE wedding dress to dismantle
and directions to "make it work".

The tiered skirt pulls off and leaves a mini skirt behind.I would have completed my contract with this dress but Mr. Director decided the the skirts I made originally don't work the way he needs them to so those will be finished up tomorrow and Frog Princess is all ready to be cut out! I'm definitely going to need my weekend away to Phoenix once it arrives!!!

Another Special Occasion

2010-03-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

I have twin niece and nephew who will be 8 on Monday. They will be baptized next Saturday and my girls and I are driving to Pheonix for the occasion. This dress is for Twin A, I'm sure she will look just as darling as Jr does.

All Shook up - Part 1

2010-03-05T20:01:00.000-08:00

Here is some of what I've been working on for All Shook Up.
You can see these costumes in action March 22nd to April 24th
These costumes were designed and the fabric was shopped for
by Steve Huntsman

More pictures to come of the other pieces I'm working on.

Alice

2010-02-18T23:18:00.000-08:00

This little lady will be making her debut in CA later this month in front of 400 people!

I hope she won't be late! ;)

My costumes in action

2010-02-08T19:39:00.000-08:00

My Princess friend in Vegas - Sandra wears a few of my costumes.

Here she is in one version of Fin Mermaid!

I would love to showcase more of my costumes in action.
If you have a picture to share email me!

Another replacement

2010-02-01T23:10:00.000-08:00

While I'd like my costumes to last forever they just can't.

Here is a replacement skirt for a Sleeping Beauty.

The original did last 3 years .

Once Upon A Costume - How it all began

2010-01-31T12:37:00.001-08:00

In 2002 my oldest daughter (now nearly 10) was in LOVE with Cinderella. For Halloween that year she requested to be Cinderella and I went looking for a dress. Every store had a Cinderella dress but none of them were what I wanted. They were all cheap looking and cost more than what I wanted to spend on a dress that was going to fall apart. I had a little bit of experience with sewing so I found a pattern, bought fabric and went to it. It was hard, frustrating, and I even bled on it a little bit when I stabbed myself with a pin. The dress took forever to finish but was done for the big day and she looked marvelous!

Cinderella & Little Bo Peep

I learned a lot about sewing from that dress and I learned a lot about my own capabilities as well. I really could make something that was amazing, something people ohhed and ahhed over as she walked by. I was hooked.

From Halloween costumes I moved on to dresses and other dress up clothes. When my girls (now 9, 8 & 5) had birthday parties I made a dress, or outfit to coordinate with the theme.

I was soon making a vast majority of their church dresses and I happened to catch the eye of a girl who had a Princess business and was working with a local production company. She asked if I made my children's dresses and when I answered yes her eyes lit up!

Sandra had me working first on the community theater productions and then once her business expanded she had me working on princess dresses as well. After a year and a half her princess business was becoming more full time and I bought the costume business from her - Once Upon A Costume was mine!!

The last 3 years have flown by and I really enjoy what I do. New ideas and challenges keep my job interesting there are very few projects I won't take on. My girls are very well versed in most things fabrics and trims and are known by name in several fabric stores around Vegas. I love being able to create pieces that will bring smiles to children all over the world.

Children's clothes is a new area I'm just getting into and it's already something I like a lot! Here are links to some of the projects I've done in the past. Christmas Dresses, Every day, Baptism & Blessing, Dress up here and here, Flower Girls, Halloween here and here, Easter dresses here and here, Pj's and Special Occasion.

Teal Mermaid

2010-01-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

This dress shipped out to NJ on Tuesday and will make it's debut this weekend.

I definitly earned my money on this one. It was much harder to redraft the off the shoulder pattern to on the shoulder than I expected. The when it all went together it was 4 inches too big!

After three tries it was finally the right size. Then I noticed as I attached the sleeve to the bodice that the trim was different! I bought the trim with the same SKU # but it had been changed at the original company. I checked all 3 of the stores in my area and they all had the "wrong" trim so I finished the dress off with it and don't think it will be noticeable. Unfortunately I can't control what stores carry or what manufacturing plants produce. I will always do whatever I can to make every dress look it's possible best!

Replacement peices

2010-01-12T16:16:00.000-08:00

The first project this year was a few replacement pieces.

The Cinderella was worn out at the seams and she wanted big poofy sleeves. I lined them with netting so they hold this shape all on their own!

Snow White was unfortunatly ruined when red polish spilt on it! To give these sleeves their shape I lined them with netting and added an interfacing header.

A Blue Christmas

2009-12-20T13:37:00.001-08:00

This year I picked blue and white for my girls' Christmas dresses.

This was inspired by a similar dress in one of my favorite catalogs.

This dress was supposed to be sent to Washington but when my life crashed the week it was supposed to go it stayed here to be a well loved Christmas dress. :)

My oldest feels that sometimes I pick far to babyish clothes so she picked her own pattern and got to make decisions about her lace and the length.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Frog Princess- Shades of Green

2009-12-09T01:15:00.001-08:00

Here is the other version of the Frog Princess.

This client requested the dress to be more like this, in different shades of green.

I learned a few things from version 1 and I took better notes and patterned all the pieces this time around. This version is $575. More expensive fabrics and more layers added to the price.

Frog Princess - Take 2

2009-12-03T23:58:00.001-08:00

No, the next one isn't done yet. It's underway and is going okay. The customer who ordered the last one wasn't totally pleased with the skirt so here it is with the middle ivory layer longer and pointier.

I have to admit I was not happy to dismantle the entire under skirt, re sew all the petals, and figure out how to make them longer, but I did it. I understand that my dresses cost a lot of money and I really do want everyone to be very happy with what they purchase.

The Frog Princess dress starts at $500.
It really does take that much work and that much fabric but it really is that worth it!

Frog Princess

2009-12-01T16:09:00.001-08:00

I think I did a good job, what do you think?

It is less wide than what I was trying to imitate but I figured the girls wearing it needed to fit through doorways. :) The one to be sent next week will be different colors.

Is it done yet??

2009-11-25T16:45:00.000-08:00

The new Frog Princess dress is still in progress.

Through various circumstances, clients needing to get measurements from actresses and my own personal life throwing me curve balls the dress I'm anxiously waiting to see completed is still alluding me.

The first dress to be completed is about 70% there. I did want it to be done for today but this is the first time I'm making it and I'm still figuring things out and I want it to be great!

It will be done next Tuesday and the second one will be done the week after that!

Check back for pictures - it's going to be great!

Arabian Princess

2009-11-10T17:58:00.001-08:00

This makes Arabian Princess #3 and if I ever do another it won't have trim just like this one! The trim I used on the top is vintage and this was the last piece I had of it which was miraculously the exact right length. The sleeves are pinned to the sides of the dress form they aren't really attached there.

I was very happy with the way the beading turned out on the belt. I couldn't find enough beads in one variety to make the entire thing so I mixed and matched and really like the look it gives.

The sleeve isn't broken in the above picture I'm just trying to show how far off the outfit it will come. It is attached with trim.

My next project is the new Frog Princess and I'm very excited to get working on her!

Green Fairy

2009-11-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

Another Green Fairy, this one is headed to Texas.

The customer also requested little green shorts to go underneath to keep her covered when playing at the parties.

They weren't as problematic as I feared they would be.

Repurposing Special Moments

2009-10-14T22:44:00.000-07:00

A wedding is planned for over several months, or years. It lasts for one very (hopefully) happy day and then the flowers are dried and hung, the presents are opened and used, or regifted. The dress is hung at the back of a closet or preserved, never to be seen again. I always thought the dress was the best part of the whole day and it was sad it wouldn't be reused. These items have been made out of various wedding dresses or special occasion clothes.

This Baptism dress was made out of my wedding dress.

This is the same dress as above on my older daughter.

This outfit was made with new fabrics with buttons from the same wedding dress that was turned into the above Baptism dress. The rest of the dress will be made into a baby girl blessing dress in the future.

These baptism pants were remade from a pair of ordinance pants

This outfit used fabric from the train of a wedding dress for the pants and the buttons on the vest are also from the dress. It has new fabrics for the shirt and vest. The rest of the dress will be turned in a baptism dress to be used next November.

Holding onto the memories of my wedding day keeps them safe but sharing a piece of that precious day with children has made the memories grow by leaps and bounds.

Halloween for my kids

2009-10-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

One of the perks of having a costumer for a mom is the fabulous Halloween costumes you get to have. Each year my kids pick what they want in late August or early September, they can change their minds up until the time that I buy fabric and then they're stuck. My middle daughter had a fancy store bought costume.

Aramina the green Musketeer

The baby Duckie

Wendy Darling

2009-10-14T22:31:00.000-07:00

I made something new! This little darling is headed to CA.

It will zip up on the customer, she's just smaller than my dress form. :)

Children's Clothes

2009-10-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

I've decided to send a few items to a Boutique Sale my friend is running in WA. Here is the first piece. I will be working on a few other items in between the other things I have going on this month.

It's my middle daughter's birthday (the brunette in the pictures) and Harvest Festival at my children's school and I'm PTSO President. It's our biggest event of the year. I have their Halloween costumes nearly done, only a few details are missing. My oldest is going to be the teal/green Musketeer and my youngest is going to be a duck. My middle daughter picked a costume I couldn't find fabric for so she got a store bought costume this year.

OOTI or What I did on My Summer Vacation

2009-08-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

Alrighty! Here it is! Some pictures of what I have been up to since I got back from my vacation to Washington in June, what I've been mentioning in facebook status updates and the project my cute kiddos have been living without a kitchen table for (they really didn't mind).

The costumes were designed by Steve Huntsman (also the director).

The constuction was a collaboration between Sandra Huntsman and myself. I did the most on Asaka and the least on Armand but I sewed (even just a tiny bit) on every single costume. :) All of the distressing was done by Steve and Sandra.

Asaka

Lil TiMoune

Ton Ton & Daniel (who does wear a red sash earlier in the show)

Andrea

Taka (Armand's Mistress)

Mama Euralie & Ton Ton

Mama, TiMoune in her ball Gown

Taka, Armand, Agwe

Papa Ge, Agwe, Armand, Taka

Erzulie (who forgot to put her green over skirt back on) & Mama

Andrea, Lil TiMoune, Asaka

TiMoune & Daniel

I had a lot of fun with this project and as an added bonus because they are peasants and the costumes were being distressed I didn't have to hem anything!

The costumes can be seen live at Spring Mountain Ranch Wed - Sat until Aug 29th.

Snow White

2009-06-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

The Snow White I made for myself was apparently popular

and I received and order for one just like it.

It is headed to New Jersey.

I start work for a community theater production of Once On This Island on Tuesday and my ship dates will be more spread out for the rest of the summer.

Alice

2009-05-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

This little cutie is headed to the Cayman Islands!

It will be worn later this summer to a fairytale/fantasy themed wedding.

My Project

2009-05-05T21:49:00.001-07:00

Each year my children's school has career day. I think it's fun to talk about what I do so I go every year. I also make something for myself to wear, it's the only time I ever do. I think my project looks great on my dress form but sadly my body doesn't look like that.

I included a few elements I've wanted to try in the past like the "ribbon" sleeves, they were as hard and as expensive as I thought they would be. The skirt is seriously full, it took 5 yards, usually I use 3. It also has an overlay to add a little sparkle to it. I borrowed Ashlee's lace on the sleeve cuff, and her cape choice, they look great! The side front panels look darker because I accidentally cut them the other direction on the fabric. Oops! And yes I will iron it before I wear it on Thursday. :)

Green Fairy

2009-05-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

With the new movie and D!isneyl@nd fairy area there are far better reference photos available for this costume than before.

I thought the combination of fabrics did a decent job of recreating the leaf look of the costume I was copying.

Fin Mermaid

2009-04-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

Another fun Fin Mermaid.

The client wanted the starfish clip, I think need to find a better method to making those! This was my first Florida order, I really do ship coast to coast and around the world!

Sleeping Beauty

2009-03-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

The last project before Spring Break is done!

This particular Beauty is headed to sunny California so the long sleeves are removable.
(It was a request from the client.)

I believe the fact that you have less range of motion
in Sleeping Beauty will keep the snaps in place.

I have one of the Easter dresses nearly done and hope to have the other 2 done in the next few days while I pack and clean before our trip to Idaho.

Another Fancy Cinderella

2009-03-23T16:25:00.001-07:00

The new Cinderella fabric sure has been popular!
Here is another one in that fabric.

Thoroughly Modern

2009-03-10T23:15:00.000-07:00

Here are my latest contribution to community theater.

The dresses are for Thoroughly Modern Millie
put on by Signature Productions.
They were designed and shopped for by Sandra Huntsman.

Super Snow White

2009-02-17T15:13:00.000-08:00

This dress was a great collaboration between the customer receiving it and myself.

She had some great ideas that didn't turn out to be too hard and they look great.

I do have to admit I'm not looking forward to sewing velvet again, it's a pain!

She needed it to be bigger than her measurements so it has an optional insert in the back.
The sleeve band is covered in a gold lace to give it some extra spunk.
The Cape is optional, it has snaps at the shoulders to hold the weight and pins in the center front so it won't flip up.
She also asked for little beads along the collar as well for an extra touch of sweetness.

Mermaid in Fins

2009-02-06T19:00:00.001-08:00

Each time I make a costume it comes out differently.
I like how each one turns out, or I wouldn't send them away,
it's great that even though I use the same fabrics,
basic patterns and construction techniques
they are each unique.

Fancy Fabric Cinderella

2009-01-26T16:34:00.000-08:00

I think this is one of the most adjustable costumes I've made yet.
The top measures 37 inches so it will tie down to 33 and it has an insert so it will go up to 39.
The skirt has hooks at 34, 32, 30 and 28 inches.
It should fit a range from size 4 - 12 but will look best on an 8/10

Cinderella postponed

2009-01-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

My next order is a Cinderella dress made in fancy fabric. I went to buy the fabric only to find out there wasn't enough in stock at the store! Ack! Luckily it only takes about a week to order from elsewhere online and the store has ordered more for me. Thanks to Enchanted Parties for You for her patience!

Alice Again

2009-01-13T13:40:00.001-08:00

This dress brings the most people to my blog
(according to the traffic tracker)
but this is only the second time I've gotten to make it!

Christmas Dresses - Part 2

2008-12-16T17:37:00.000-08:00

Here are how the other 2 dresses turned out!

Christmas Dress-part 1

2008-12-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

I finished my youngest daughter's Christmas dress last night and it turned out so cute!

It's always fun to see a picture become reality. :)

Mini Mermaid Dresses

2008-12-01T22:42:00.000-08:00

I just finished up my last order for the year! I'm amazed at how time flies!

I had the pleasure of making a matching set of Mermaid Dinner Dresses.

Here is one of my lovely models showing off the cute dress.

I will be putting up pictures of Christmas dresses and flower girl dresses, it's like Deja Vu, hopefully none of my family will get married next December. :)

Cinderella

2008-11-12T14:09:00.001-08:00

Here was the project of the week.

A standard Cinderella that didn't make my head hurt at all.
Don't get me wrong I like doing new and different things but
sometimes it's nice to do something I'm well practiced at.

Mermaid in Fins

2008-11-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

The dots are actually gems

Here is another version of the mermaid in fins. It was a little bit more involved than other versions I've done in the past.

It also got interrupted by a lot of my life! Flat tires, broken garage doors and PTSO duties tried to stop me but I still got it done.

Thanks for your patience Tara! I hope it will be worth the wait.

One more

2008-10-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

This was sent to Southern UT to my favorite niece Kafra. Jr. (the cutie model) & Kafra are 10 months apart but just about the same size. Jr. liked being the model for this one, she had the same pattern 3 years ago in blue.

Once I recieve a photo of the final outfit, (there are wings to go with it in UT) I'll post it here.

Cinderella

2008-10-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

This is the first year I was asked to do children's costumes outside of my own family.

Here is a Cinderella dress I sent to CA. My 4 yr old is the model seen here, she was not happy this dress wasn't being added to her own collection!

Pink Princess Kora

2008-10-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

I received a custom order from one of my favorite Princesses, for her own little princess. I sent them fabric and trim samples and the pattern picture we all chose. They picked out the combination they wanted and I put it all together. I think it was a fun project on both ends and I'd like to do it again!

My princess Jr. has the same measurements and really enjoyed being the model.

Another Man

2008-09-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

But still no prince!
The Orange Frock Coat (aka The Mad Hatter Coat) is done.

I think it turned out well.

Keep in mind it's on a female dress form.
This first picture is the actual color.

The next project is going to be a challenge, it's an amazing, very pleated Barbie dress, I'm a little excited!

Snow White

2008-09-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

This dress is done and ready to send off but sadly the customer that ordered it lives in the evacuated portion of Houston.

I hope she and her family are doing well and they will be able to return home soon.
My prayers go out to all who have been affected by the recent storms and it makes me a lot more grateful for the weather I have here.

Cinderella

2008-09-11T19:23:00.000-07:00

This was done on Tuesday and these pictures aren't the best I accidentally left my camera in Utah and only have my cell phone camera, maybe I should get a back up. :) The customer asked for the fancier fabric, I really like the way these turn out!

Back to business as usual

2008-09-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

The Cinderella due for next Tuesday is well on it's way to being fantastic!

I did my best to contact all of the ladies waiting on my list and ship dates are still available for the end of September. If you feel you should have been contacted and weren't please email me!

My latest work in Action

2008-08-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to photos taken by Angela Bramlett on August 14th at the Spring Mountain Ranch of the costumes I did for AIDA. I had help from the Director and the Production Manager getting them all put together. Enjoy!

Back to the day job

2008-08-17T15:10:00.001-07:00

Hi! The show has started and I am switching gears to head back to Princess dresses.

I will be sending emails to the customers on the waiting list in the order I received the requests.

Thank You all for your patience and I will be in touch with you soon!

Something right

2008-07-02T22:13:00.000-07:00

I've worked on 3 costumes this week. Two have gone well and one is looking disastrous but it's probably the guy's body, not my sewing - that still doesn't make me happy! Here is something nearly finished I need to put a zipper in and attach the foundation to the actual dress, a little hand sewing and it's good to go, but it still looks good in this picture so I wanted to share.

Program pictures

2008-06-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a photo shoot for the cover of the program.

I don't know if this is the final draft but it looks hot!

The photograph was taken by Angela Bramlett and it was photoshopped by Steve Huntsman.

Not gone, Just busy!!

2008-06-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

Before and now after my very fun vacation to my Grandma's house in Idaho

I've been working away on AIDA.

Here are some pictures of what I'm tackling.
The costumes were designed by Steve Huntsman and the images below belong to him.

Cinderella

2008-05-21T19:41:00.000-07:00

Here is my last standard Cinderella dress for a while. Now I'm moving on to AIDA and I'm helping a friend (the original designer) build custom princess dresses, they are going to be soo cool! I'll put those pictures up as they get done. She isn't taking precedence over anybody else, I've had her costumes on my list of things to do for a couple months now!

Everyday princess dresses

2008-05-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

Each princess starts out her movie in a regular "everyday" dress. I think they are a lot of fun and deserve to be represented.

On Friday I'll be speaking at my daughter's school Career Day. I wore a tea server dress last year and I wanted something new and different for this year so I decided to make Beauty's everyday dress. My coloring is closest to hers and she's my favorite. Don't tell the other princesses. ;) I got brave and did the wig as well.

It was a quick project I slipped in while I'm working on Cinderella. That will still be done on time. Now I have another project for my portfolio.

It is a 4 piece outfit shirt, jumper, apron, and hair bow.

Pirate Captain

2008-05-12T19:30:00.001-07:00

This one was a doozie! When it was ordered I thought I did my homework to get the quote together. As the project got started I spent the average amount of money on fabrics and notions and then I got started on the jacket. And the cost went through the roof!

The customer who ordered it first got a great deal and unfortunately she "ruined" it for the rest of you because the price just went up! I made all the parts of this outfit except the pants in the past so it wasn't a labor issue it was a materials cost issue. I forgot to add in the cost of buttons ($50) and the jacket fabric was twice what I estimated.

Here is the finished product in all it's many variations. It was fun to make a guy costume again and I really like how it turned out!

Teal Mermaid Dress

2008-05-06T08:13:00.001-07:00

I've made this dress 2 other times before but finding really great reference photos is hard. This version of the dress was inspired by some great reference photos that showed off some details I missed in the past.

It was also requested that the dress have long sleeves that could be removed for wear in warmer weather.

The sleeves still aren't quite big enough but that is a secret I'm working on figuring out!

Closed for the Summer

2008-04-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Hi! I have been given the opportunity to costume a community theater production of AIDA. This project is going to be a full time gig and unfortunately I will be unable to do Princess dresses until it is complete. If I find that I have extra time I will be sure to post it here but there are 5 labor intensive high fashion pieces that will take at least a week each!

As my projects get done for the show I'll be sure to post the progress here.

Thank you for your support and I hope to see you all in August!

Snow White

2008-04-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

Here is the Snow White I sent yesterday.

My dress this week has loads of beading on it and I'm really starting to be grateful that I don't do that very often. It's very tedious work!

Cinderella

2008-04-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

This dress really was done last week but the final payment was made today so here is fancy Cinderella. I tried a new idea on her skirt poofs and I think it will help hold the shape a little better.

Snow White is done too and as soon as it is approved I'll put it on as well.

Sleeping Beauty

2008-04-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest Sleeping Beauty request. She asked for a panel in the front and the sleeves to match the panel. It looks closer to what Sleeping Beauty is wearing these days at the park. I love how it turned out, it adds just enough zing!

Next up is Cinderella in the same kind of fabric as the sleeve and panel, just in blue - of course!

Orange Rock Star

2008-04-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

I always figured my first male costume would be a prince. Instead it was a colorful rocker! He was fun and it was cool to figure out how to get all the details to work, like his drums.

I was eating purple fuzz for a whole day after making the vest it got everywhere!

Well after this fun custom request "break" I'm back to standard orders. Sleeping Beauty is up next but she has asked for a few changes in the design. I'll let you know how it goes!

Alice in Wonderland

2008-03-25T21:55:00.000-07:00

Alice was a very fun project and I think it turned out darling!

The dress is a simple medium blue dress, white apron, and black velvet headband.

The dress has a built in slip for a little "poof". I also included a pair of pantaloons, way cute in galoon edged eyelet.

I really enjoy all my projects but I have to admit doing special requests is very rewarding. We'll have to see if I have the same opinion after my next project!

Easter Dresses

2008-03-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

My work this week wouldn't fit on my dress form so I took pictures of the "customers" themselves.

My oldest daughter picked her dress out in a store at the Super Mall in Washington. I took pictures with my cell phone and then reproduced it in her size here at home.

My middle daughter picked her dress out of the Wooden Solider catalog and I embellished with brown flowers and ribbons so she would coordinate with her sisters.
My "baby" also picked her dress out of the same catalog but insisted it be floor length instead of tea length so I did a few alterations to the design to come up with something we both liked.

Next up on my list is Alice, something I've always wanted to do and then the Orange doodle bop guy. Back to work!

Explorer Princess - revised

2008-03-17T19:21:00.001-07:00

The shiny ribbons on the bottom weren't quite what the customer wanted so after much deliberation and a little experimentation I dismantled the bottom 1/4 of the dress removed the shiny ribbons, made 240 inches of satin bias tape and put it all back together again.

None of that made me very excited but I really do want everyone to like what they buy. I am very aware of how much my dresses really cost. I think the dress turned out well and I'm glad that we were able to come to a happy solution.

Explorer Princess complete!

2008-03-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

Here are the final pictures of the Explorer Princess. I like how she turned out, I'd like to make the bodice again, it turned out so pretty!

Explorer Princess

2008-03-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

I'm finally unpacked enough to truly get to work and it's going well.

These are the pictures I was sent for a reference

Here are the pictures of my progress.

This morning

Tonight

Tomorrow I have the pink rectangles on the sleeve (I don't know it's part of the picture), the zipper, and lighter purple ribbons to go above and below the purple stripe. There is the hat too but hopefully it won't be too much.