This is worth repeating...

Here's a little poster I made up last fall that clearly explains why a bride hires us to assist her on her wedding day. I think it's worth repeating. 

There's something funny about this service.  I often see a look of confusion float across a bride's face when she hears that my on-site services are popular.  "What do you do?  Why do people hire you to work their wedding? Are you a director?" Those are the common questions that are immediately posed.  I slowly describe my services, (and no, I don't direct).  Usually, a look of comprehension slowly crosses the brides face just as morning light creeps across a field.  The next question is often, "Are you already booked for my day?"

The sending off moments on her wedding day are starkly juxtaposed to that initial moment, (when she can't for the life of her understand why someone would hire a seamstress for their wedding).  There are hugs and thanks offered from both sides and as she says goodbye, the bride always says, "I don't know how we would have made it through without you!"

Why do I offer this?  I don't charge all that much for it.  Nobody else around here is doing it.  I had a photographer friend tell me that she's seen it done for expensive New England weddings, but never in the South.  ...I don't know.  I guess it all goes back to my love for what I do.  It's a lovely, exhausting reminder of the finished product.  It crystalizes my purpose.  It makes me fall in love with weddings again.  It's good for my sewing soul.   

why hire.jpg

Fit Matters.

We're wrapping up another week here.  I just thought I'd post a picture that emphasizes how important a perfect fit is.  This shot was beautiful.  It's one of my brides at the end of the day.  She was sitting on our couch here and looked so perfectly beautiful.  I don't think I've ever made a couch look as good as she just did! lol

IMG_8060 edited.jpg

When shopping petite... what fit problems are ok?

I received a phone call yesterday from a very smart bride.  She's petite.  She doesn't own a wedding gown yet.  She was concerned about dress shopping- knowing that nothing would fit right.  She knew that there are some sales people out there who will "push a dress" -not knowing if it would be possible or affordable to have it altered. 

I was able to give her the information that she needed in just a brief chat.  It quite possibly saved her hundreds of dollars and as many tears.  That inspired me to write this post.  I want to address specifically the petite figure and of what the petite bride should be aware.   

First off, let me say that I know many of the bridal shop owners in this area personally.  You local brides are really lucky! The owners that I keep professional relationships with are honest and are in the industry because they love it.  They truly try to analyze body types and do their best to match you with the best cut for your figure.  Every bridal shop is not like that, but most around here are.  (YAY!)   Anyways, let's get on to three things you should be aware of... 

The number one thing to be cautious of as a petite bride is to steer clear of halter tops that don't already fit you pretty well.  The problem with halter tops is that they usually like to buddy around with a plunging back and a deep V neckline.  Things look manageable when you're holding the dress up to yourself and gripping with both hands. But, when we start taking that puppy in, you often get the short-sheets syndrome.  Lol -There's just not enough coverage fabric to go around! As you take in the sides, they have to be tapered down to flow into that plunging back so the side bust area gets more revealing.  Also, that deep V begins to spread apart so that there's more cleavage shown in the front as well.  (Ok, we're fanning mom now and giving her smelling salts!)

The second thing is to make sure that the waist is pretty much in the right place.  It's ok if it's too big, but you'll have problems if the waist of the dress is hitting you two or more inches below your natural waist.  That's gets into what we call drastic alterations.  It can be done, but there will be some distortion or design changes.   

Finally, hems usually aren't a problem.  Most hem jobs are done the same way whether you are cutting off 2 inches or 5.  The thing to look for here, is the shape of the skirt of the dress.  If the mermaid curves are going to be in all the wrong places, or your A-line has to be taken up at the waist, obviously, we'll have some reshaping to do.  The more reshaping that has to be done, the more time consuming it is, the more expensive it gets.  (sorry ; / )  Petite girls generally have the cheapest hem bills when they sport a full tulle ball gown type skirt on their dress.  (They also get to hide a pair of amazing platform heels under there!)  

I know I just threw a bunch of info at you, so if you have more questions, gimme a call. :) 434.515.1436. 

The bust of this dress is in the right place.  So is the waist.  It would be simple and affordable  to take this dress in a size or two if it were needed,  because the curves are in the right places.   

The bust of this dress is in the right place.  So is the waist.  It would be simple and affordable  to take this dress in a size or two if it were needed,  because the curves are in the right places.   

The brides are coming!

If you are a spring bride and haven't called to make your appointment yet, do it very soon.  We still have day slots available, but our Saturdays book up quickly.  Our weekends are currently booked through the first weekend in February.  We begin our prom rush in February, so in order for you to have the most selection of appointmant times, call us this week.  434.515.1436. 

A New Year 2013

Happy New Year.  We closed out 2012 with an exciting week.  As usual, I had a secret to keep.  One of my brides had planned a surprise wedding for New Years Eve night!  They hosted a big party for 250 under the guise of a pre-wedding New Years party to send off the couple to their destination wedding.  She even had a wardrobe change into her gown so that she could greet her unsuspecting guests in her holiday formal.  What a great way to cap off a fantastic year!

The day after Christmas

     It's the day after Christmas and I have an "all day sew" scheduled.  The sitter's babies are sick, so my children are here at the shop with me.  Cold, slow rain is tapping on my windows and the kids are playing under my cutting table.  I just turned on the heat, and it's rushing in the background.  It's gonna be a good day.  I can't wait to post before and after pics of my bride.  Sew-all-days are my favorite days, especially when there's happy Farmer Jed kid music playing sofly in my back room.  <3

Everyday beauty

This is a shot I snagged in the hallway of my studio the other day.  I love the random episodes of beauty that surround me!  Most people go to work to face columns of numbers or lines of grumpy people.  I get to see this. Pretty cool, huh?
edited5.jpg

Our very first post

Hello there, and thanks for visiting our new website and blog.  It's December 20th, 2012, a little after 10 PM, and I'm at home applying the final brushstrokes to this site.  I hope you find it beautiful and informative.  Those are my goals here. 

To cut to the chase and reach me right away, find what you need in the Contact section.  To familiarize yourself with my work, take a stroll through our galleries.  I have spent unknown hours recording, editing, and posting the images in the most organized, user-friendly form that I could think of.  

Take your time here, and then give me a call.  I can't wait to meet you and your gown! We're going to make it custom to your form to make you look better than you ever imagined you would on your wedding day.  

-Carissa