Sweetheart Wedding Gown
This summer I was delightfully thrilled when my then to be sister-in-law asked me to make her wedding dress. The details that were important to here were to keep a romantic, vintage theme with buttons down the back and a sweetheart neckline. The biggest challenge was formulating the lace overlay on the upper bodice while maintaining her ideal of modesty (having no parts of the bodice see-through). To accommodate the bride's request I searched, and luckily found, a beautiful nude lining that matched her skin tone. Additional touches I put in were a full silk lining and hand appliques throughout the dress.
40's Veil
To complement the gorgeous dress, the bride also asked me to come up with a veil that was reminiscent of a 1940's hat without actually having a felt/wool component. To keep the look with a 40's vibe, I cut the lace edging from the same yardage used on the dress and placed it along the edges of Russian netting for a look that gave a nod to the playful flapper headbands of the era while remaining chic and glamorous.
Blue Shimmer Shirt
This easy t-shirt was inspired by a great jersey fabric with a slight metallic sheen. To utilize, but not be overwhelmed by the fun pop of shimmer, I created a new textile by cutting strips and surging them right side to wrong side in an alternating pattern to form a wide rugby stripe. The shirt tail hem lends just enough structure to this fun top. All edges were finished with a cover-lock stitch.
Papa Loco
These "Papa Loco" costumes were a set I worked on while employed at the Brigham Young University Idaho Dance Costume shop. The heavy knit skirts created amazing movement while fitted waistbands and bodices insured the costume stayed in place. I constructed all headwraps while assisting with rhinestone detailing and construction of the costumes.http://www.flickr.com/photos/performancetours/
Lindy Hop
The "Lindy Hop" number was one of the first I worked on at the BYU-I Dance Costume Shop back in 2012. For this number the choreographer was wanting a street clothes approach with an element to tie them all together. For that element, I fussy cut out giant floral motifs and appliqued them in different ways to each of the costumes. This added a fun pop of color throughout the number.http://www.flickr.com/photos/performancetours/
Earth
"Earth" was part of a continual number including the five elements. I hand dyed these mottled brown dresses to transition them from a stark contrasting tan, to a more subtle complement to the additional solid brown dresses of the number. I came up with this appropriate solution after the dress rehearsal revealed the tan dresses to be much too bright compared to the other dresses in the number. The result added a perfect texture.http://www.flickr.com/photos/performancetours/
Fire
The "Fire" number at BYU-I's 2012 Winter Extravadance was, aesthetically, one of my favorites to watch and I was thrilled to work on the costuming for the number. I did extensive repairs on all of the garments including replacing the existing sleeves with the magical flowing sleeves of the number. It took several hours of research and trial to find the correct colored fabric with the desired weight to give the desired flowing effect.http://www.flickr.com/photos/performancetours/
Water/Air
"Water" was an impressive performance to watch. For this number I constructed several tunics, repaired pants and fully constructed the 'twirlies' used. The 'twirlies' were a fun challenge to tackle as they needed to be perfectly weighted and balanced and required strategic grip placements to allow the dancers to spin them without flinging the prop into the crowd.http://www.flickr.com/photos/performancetours/
Celtic
This "Celtic" number consisted of 16 sets of circle skirts, velvet vests and one sash. For this number I constructed eight circle skirts and hemmed the remaining to fit the dancers. I also made the man's sash for this number.http://www.flickr.com/photos/performancetours/
Degas Ballet
Another piece I worked on at BYU-I, the "Degas Ballet" number was a set of ten costumes including double layered tutus with individually colored sashes, velvet cameo choker necklaces and boned leotards. I constructed all skirt and choker aspects and assisted in construction of the leos.http://www.flickr.com/photos/performancetours/
Turquoise Tie-Back
This suit is great for sun bathing, but can also stand up to splashing around in the water due to the thoughtful swimsuit elastic placement along the attached bandeau top. A subtle row of gathers down the bust adds functional interest without taking away from the clean lines of the suit. The top is self lined, while the body of the suit is lined with a nude swimsuit lining.
Pink Tie-Halter Swimsuit
This color, although a little intimidating to pull off the shelf is extremely flattering to most skin types. The low back is complemented by more innocent, long bow straps that keep the suit securely in place. The plunging neckline is also balanced by full coverage at the legs. This swimsuit is fully lined up to the collar bone for coverage, while the bow was left unlined to utilize the drape of the fabric and reduce bulk.
Purple Romper Swimsuit
This fully lined, boy short suit is made from a deliciously soft stretch fabric that wears and covers well. The flattering boy shorts and loose fitting top give plenty of coverage and confidence, while showing off the shoulders. Attention to volume was considered; when the suit gets wet, it will not sag and cling in unflattering ways. The top is held in place by a hidden bralette.
Gold(!) Swimsuit
I am a firm believer that anything can be done right, including gold spandex. The trick is striking the right balance between bold and...oh umm, wow. This daring suit was kept simple with slight ruching in the front to utilize the liquid metal-like luster of the fabric, while a seam was added at center back to prevent a solid surface as well as lend itself to a better fitting swimsuit.
Tied Printed Cover up
This animal print cover up is another example of taking something with the potential to be a little 'out there' and honing it in to a subtle piece that still carries a statement. The faded print and sheer fabric hang beautifully from a wide scooped neckline and meet at the waist in a stylized knot creating a fashionable statement that'll leave friends saying "I wish I could pull that off" (You can!)
Shirt-Tail Cover Up
Utilizing the same sheer animal print, this cover up is great for playing on the beach. With a wide neckline, kimono sleeves and a shirt tailed hem, this beach cover up could easily be worn over a tank or T with a pair of jeans and a jacket for a sophisticated look.
Simple Ruffle Skirt
This gorgeous ruffled fabric held interest enough with the simple addition of an elastic waist band. The cut of the skirt was kept slim so as not to look little-girlish, while still leaving enough room to not stress the ruffles into unflattering pull lines. With attention to keeping ruffles lined up and un-tucked, this effortlessly chic skirt would be the t-shirt of any woman's skirt wardrobe.
Plaid Wrap Skirt
I found this vibrant plaid in my Grandmother's fabric stash. Utilizing the woven plaid as guidelines, I hand pleated and chemically set the skirt to hold its shape. A narrow waistband closes on the hip with an understated, full length bow.