The dress I had originally wanted to make for the Opera Ball turned into my

"An Evening with Matilda" dress. Almost finished!

Black mink (that a friend of my mom gave me) with silk embroidered fabric from Haberman Fabrics 

The dress on the manaquin     

Wearing it to the event with

Matilda Dodge Wilson's Cat's Eye Necklace!

 All the birds have crystal blue eyes.

 Mommy's little helper. Testing out the mink and fabric.

The newest fabric embrodiered silk. Making a ballgown for the Opera Ball at the Opera House Detroit

'"Mommy's little helper." My new kitten has just found patterns and fabric to be her favorite new thing.

The Lolly Jumper

Well... almost finished.

I started making little rosettes or flowers as it were.

I cut a circles out of the wool, then used the blanket stitch to finish the edges.

Blanket stitch

After I finished the edges, I gathered the middle and added another layer.

The rosettes willl be placed around the collar trim where the gather collar stops, but where it stops nobody knows... not even me. 

picture of the collar edging

I have strayed from my sewing for a wedding and a party. Two wonderful events, but different as night and day. The first was a rememberance for a Steamer  - The Lady Elgin that went down on September 8, 1860. It holds historical importance to not only the Great Lakes, but also to Mackinac Island.

The cookies my niece made for the guests

The second was a wedding. It was such fun to work with the bride and create the look she wanted for the floral pieces.

  

The centerpieces were created with nature in mind. Stones, with the words that depicted the couples love, were placed inside the vases.

The Bride

Next up - Plaid Jumper.  I am going to call it

"The Little Lolly."

The inspiration comes from a slip that was the underpinning of a dress I bought in the 90's. It is so comfy to wear, so I thought to make a dress from the pattern of the slip for the Fall and Winter. I think with a silk turtleneck, and funky tights would be great!

Working on the trim detail. Don't know how it will turn out.

Trying the Blanket stitch for the edges of the ruffle.

This is the fabric I found for the lining. Why be normal? This dress should probably have a simple brown lining, but I loved this fabric. It is silly and fun. Again, fabric is form Haberman Fabric in Royal Oak. 

Working on dresses for Fall - 1st -

Red and cream herring-
bone with grey and cream striped silk lining. Fabric from Haberman Fabrics.
(Used a Vogue pattern that was meant for summer fabrics and omitted the bow detail.)

2nd dress coming soon ...

                                                 Topstitched coat zipper

The Cotton Club

Music Hall's Cars & Stars 2011
Theme - Cotton Club 1920-30's

(Used Folklore's Monte Carlo dress pattern with two different fabrics fully lined in silk charmeuse. White organza with orstrich feathers, swarovski crystals, and beaded tulle.
All from Haberman Fabric. Patti Weir. The whole crew there are fabulous!) Suzanne Paul and me on the night of the event.

 

Holiday Dress 2010 - Wool cashmere with satin buttons

Shoulder Button Detail

This was an experiment. I saw this teal silk organza and thought it was so divine, so I coupled it with black linen.

I used a 1950 vintage wrap dress pattern.

My niece Katie and her friend Thressa took these pictures of me in it on Mackinac Island in the back yard.

Mad Women

Ode to Mad Men for Music Hall's

Cars & Stars Gala June 2010

JJ, Laura & Julie posing on Jeff Smith's Vintage Corvette
Julie Smith won Bested Dressed!!!

Again, a Vintage Vogue pattern with silk and trim from Haberman Fabrics. I made a few design changes by adding buttons in the same silk and bow detail to the back of the dress.

Music Hall's Cars & Stars 2010
Theme - Mad Men

(Used the avatar from the AMC website to create the women and had my friend Rachael format them for the transfers I put on the hem. I used a Vintage Vogue pattern and beautiful silk from Haberman Fabrics)

 

 

 

All the ladies had on their pearl necklaces. ;)

Masquerade 2009

Laura and Megan- night of (Megan made her own!)

Though no sewing was involved, I ventured into mask making for the Masquerade Party at Music Hall. It was so much fun, but it wreaked havoc with my home. I used paper mache masks that I bought online and then took on the role of  "Baby Martha Stewart." Feathers, glitter, ribbons, upholstery notions... I made about 50 in total.